EDCO 4200 Exit Presentation: by Emily Ferguson

Emily: ELL/ESL Learning in the Classroom.

efergusontru — 2024-01-17 18:06:03 UTC

This is an area of teaching and learning that currently really interests me! I am doing my practicum at a school with a high ELL/ESL population, due to this, I have had to differentiate my instruction and materials within the classroom for almost all my lessons/units. The language barrier can be really tough with kids from so many different areas of the world. However, it's really rewarding to see them consistently improve with their language and ability to participate with the class. Additionally, these students provide so many different perspectives within the classroom community and it can be really beautiful to see all the students come together despite language differences!

Emily: Educators value the involvement and support of parents, guardians, families, and communities in school.

efergusontru — 2024-01-17 18:32:19 UTC

Educators implement effective planning, instruction, assessment, and reporting practices to create respectful, inclusive environments for student learning and development.

efergusontru — 2024-01-17 20:37:16 UTC

Educators demonstrate a broad knowledge base and an understanding of areas they teach.

efergusontru — 2024-01-17 20:46:21 UTC

Leah: Educators value the success of all students. Educators care for students and act in their best interests.

wheele30_1 — 2024-01-22 21:14:56 UTC

Being an educator comes with a great role of responsibility. We are trusted to ensure students' academic achievements are met and their social and emotional needs are fulfilled. To meet the needs of all students, create positive classroom relationships, and be trustworthy teachers, teachers must know their student's personalities, interests, and backgrounds. For instance, in my 3-week practicum at the beginning of September, I started with an All About Me unit to get to know the students. This unit offered students an opportunity to tell me about their families, interests, and favourite things so I could better support them in the classroom. The students then were allowed to share to celebrate differences and connect over similarities.

Holly: Educators act ethically and maintain the integrity, credibility and reputation of the profession.

hamiltonkholly — 2024-01-22 21:42:51 UTC

As a teacher candidate, it is vital to uphold a high level of integrity, reputation, credibility and high ethical standards. It is imperative that educators adhere themselves in a professional manner at all times, even when not present in a school setting. The ways in which I have demonstrated this standard during my practicum is by maintaining the importance of confidentiality of students and not disclosing any information to partners, family, friends or members of the public. Being conscientious of my social media presence is another way in which I have held myself to this standard by closely monitoring and filtering the material I choose to share, carefully considering the impact and how it can be perceived by others.

Leah: Educators understand and apply knowledge of student growth and development.

wheele30_1 — 2024-01-23 03:31:07 UTC

Throughout this program and our practicums, we learn about and witness student growth and development. In the first year, our child development course (EDIE 3100) focused on the development of students from k-7. It was in this class that we learned that child development encompasses cognitive, emotional, social, and physical milestones that unfold at different stages. Addressing the social and emotional dimensions of development is vital for creating a positive classroom environment. We also learned about Indigenous ways of knowing and being, such as the 7 Grandfather Teachings, and the circle of courage. By applying this lens to our classroom, we can understand diverse cultural norms and expectations related to child development and education. For instance, in my kindergarten class, students start the year with little to no experience being in a school. We need to go over basic skills such as walking in the hallway, how to follow the classroom rules, and how to be a good friend. By the end of the year, and even halfway through the year, kindergarten students show a huge amount of growth in thier social-emotional skills.

Holly: Educators contribute to the profession.

hamiltonkholly — 2024-01-23 04:26:16 UTC

It is vital as a future educator to support, encourage, and foster good relationships with other educators, which is essential in having a positive workplace that cultivates learning and opportune experiences for professional development and growth. Through my short experience in this program, I have learned quickly how important it is to have support from other educators; having someone who has an understanding of how challenging this profession can be is really helpful in not feeling isolated. Connecting with TMs, FMs, and professors has been an incredible wealth of knowledge for me as a future educator. It brings perspective, experience and insight into many aspects I have yet to experience. As I grow and develop in my career, mentoring new educators is something that I feel would be as important and impactful as it has been to me.

Leah: Managing behaviours

wheele30_1 — 2024-01-23 04:29:33 UTC

An area that interests me is handling moderate-severe behaviours in the classroom. My experience with this started 5 years ago when I worked as an Educational Assistant with children with autism and FASD. My mentor at the time showed me how handling behaviours with compassion and empathy made behaviours occur less frequently. There is always a reason behind why children 'act out' in class or show poor behaviour. I believe that using empathy is a powerful communicative skill that can allow teachers to have connections with students to target their behaviour. I would love to continue my interest in this area by attending PD's and doing my research to help these students make strides.

Holly: Educators respect and value the history of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis in Canada and the impact of the past, present and future. Educators contribute towards truth, reconciliation and healing. Educators foster a deeper understanding of ways of knowing and being, histories, and cultures of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis of Canada.

hamiltonkholly — 2024-01-23 04:45:26 UTC

I wholeheartedly agree with the importance of educators respecting and valuing the history of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis in Canada, as well as their role in contributing to truth, reconciliation, and healing. To implement this in classrooms and school environments, educators should integrate diverse perspectives into the curriculum, engaging students in discussions about the impact of the past, present, and future on Indigenous communities. Incorporating Indigenous voices, stories, and cultural practices helps foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the ways of knowing and being of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. Additionally, creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity and promotes empathy is essential for building bridges of understanding among students from various backgrounds.

Holly: ADHD/Autism/Anxiety in female students.

hamiltonkholly — 2024-01-23 05:02:41 UTC

I have a very strong passion for advocating and supporting the many young girls who are often overlooked due to their ability to mask their neurodivergency better than the boys can, but manifest in different ways. During my formative years, I struggled with anxiety and ADHD, which had a deeply negative impact on my education and how I viewed school. Being a teacher who is able to see them for who they are, support them and understand them on a deeper level could have such a positive impact on their learning and their relationship with school. Things that I was never privy to. My mother always told me to "be the person you needed when you were younger." This is the mentality that I was to implement in my classroom.