Getting into it. Week 2

Week 2 at university, and life is hectic. University is different to how I imagined it. For example, I didn't imagine that there would be so much reflection!
That being said it's actually kind of interesting.

I came across this picture posted on Facebook the other day, and had the thought that this is not the kind of teacher that I want to be.  

Then I found this picture (below),

I thought that this picture described my reaction to the first picture. If you are not part of the majority, than it's highly likely that you are wrong. Not in all circumstances, but within a classroom, if all the students dislike you, you're probably doing something wrong. As a teacher I want to make sure that I value each student for their differences. They will each have their own experiences, and I expect that a lot of them will know things that I don't.  

This week our lecturer made the statement "we teach who we are." 

After a lot of consideration I have decided that this is an accurate description of a facet of classroom life. If I do not value the individuality of each student, than how will they learn to value it in the people around them. These thoughts lead me to think about what I would teach students about who I am if I entered a classroom right now. I have to admit that the prospect scared me, no-one is more aware of how imperfect I am than myself. Do I really want students to look at me as a role model? What positive attributes do I have to offer that would benefit students? I can be an incredibly bossy and dominant person at times, I don't want my students to feel like I am a dictator that they have to listen to, and I would be horrified if my students ever began to fear me. I have brainstormed ways to try and mediate this aspect of my personality. 

I believe that if I practice not letting my dominant tendencies define who I am as a person, than I will be in control of them when I graduate from university.

MY CODE  OF ETHICS:

In relation to children I will = Show them that they have something to offer the world.

In relation to families I will = Respect their opinions and feelings in regards to their children.

In relation to colleagues I will = Utilize their skills and knowledge by recognizing their talents rather than judging them on their personality. 

In relation to communities I will = Do my best to integrate with them, so the children do not view me as an outside to be feared, but as someone who is interested in the way their culture works, and their values. 

In relation to myself as a professional I will = Never stop trying to learn. Whether it is a trick a student wants to teach me, or a new strategy to help my students learn difficult topics, I will never stop trying to be a better teacher, and colleague. 

This week's lecture topic got me thinking about how important it is to care for the emotional well-being of your students, as well as  their academic progress. However, this then brought up the question, when you have 30 students, some with behavioural issues, or even disabilities, and you have a set curriculum that you must teach them before the end of the term, how do you make sure that you are looking after the emotional needs of the child? This lead me to consider the possibility of having two teachers in the classroom at once.  Or maybe two teachers per class. This would half a teachers work load, and make it possible for both teachers to have more time to be sure that the students are coping, emotionally, physically and psychologically. 

Then I thought about how I would go as a teacher if I had to share my classes with another teacher. I definitely think I can manage, but someone mentioned the other day that the most stressful part about working in a school was not teaching the students, but keeping up with the politics of colleagues within the school. Teaching partners would have to be picked very carefully otherwise it would create conflict in the classroom, and may even negatively affect the students  rather than help them. 

Anyway, I just thought it was an interesting concept to consider.  

In the tute this week we brain stormed factors that would influence how we teach. Below are some that I thought of. 

This week I realised that there is such a complex undercurrent to being a teacher. Not only do you have to teach your students content, and encourage them to get good marks, you also have to teach them how to be a good person. If you have traits that effect your peers negatively, or if you don't show others respect, your students will think that it is appropriate to imitate those habits. Teachers must be incredibly wary of their actions and attitudes, because as teachers we have a massive influence on our students.