Don't we all just love that word, Reflection?
Anyways, here is a quick summary of my contributions!
09/26- Responded to Blair's post, re: Teacher's Salary
I knew nothing about it then, still don't know a heck of a lot and don't really care to look into it further because I've made up my mind not to look for work in BC.
09/26- Responded to Tina's post, re: ADHD
I've come to realize that I want to know more about helping the kids that are often in vulnerable sitations, ie: kids with exceptionalities. I am really looking forward to the exceptionalities class next term. As I said in my response, we need to get past the label, and focus on the child.
09/26- Busy Blogging Day For Me!
I wrote a post about parents and how they may affect our job. I know I often get seriously frustrated with a lot of my Brownie parents so I can only imagine this frustration will increase in the teaching world. I am still nervous about dealing with parents, but I feel much more confident about my pedagogical beliefs now that this term is drawing to a close, and I think I would be willing to take anyone on who wanted to try to challenge me. I just have to work on not turning beet red and blotchy every time I get riled up about something.....hm.tricky.
10/08- Responded to Lisa's Post, re: Funding for Special Needs Students
See comment above about not wanting to teach in BC.
10/16- Responded to Hilary's Post about Outdated Textbooks
This turned out to be exceptional timing on Hilary's part, because it tied in with "Blair Day" and the series of articles we look at from the Tyee. The way that we have treated our Indigenous population in Canada is devastating and I think textbooks should reflect this. I also think that something needs to be done in regards to offering quality education for Indigenous students in this country, and it has to incorporate their ways of knowing and it has to look at events from their perspective, and I has to be designed by/with Indigenous educators. The education system is failing this population in a terrible way.
10/16- EDSA Conference and Sexual Health
Why is everyone so afraid of this topic??! I really hope I get to teach sexual health. If you get stuck with it one day, Google Kerri Isham. Awesome resource.
10/27- Gay Bullying and Teen Suicide
If you didn't already notice, bullying bothers me to no end. I am slightly nervous to find out how I will deal with it as a teacher. Doing nothing and turning a blind eye won't be an option, and never was an option for me. One of the first things I will investigate once I am hired at a school is whether or not my school has an operating GSA. If it doesn't, I will start one because I think they are so important.
11/08- Responded to Ben, re: Reflection
Basically, I ranted. But Blair brought up a really good point- how do you think we will all feel about this stuff two years from now??
11/21- Responded to Jackie, re: Transcripts
The conclusion I came to was that both the process AND the product matter and that if you take the process seriously, then the product (assignments and corresponding grades) should reflect this.
11/21- Responded to Blair, re: Technology
Yikes, what a controversial issue! Technology cannot replace teaching, and good teaching is not dependent on the tools that you employ. Don't use technology for the wow factor, use it only if it will enhance learning. We are not entertainers!
There you have it folks. Now that I am looking at what I chose to respond to, I noticed that I avoided political issues for the most part. That was mainly because I don't necessary feel that I have the background knowledge required to hold my own in a politial debate, but also because I gave up caring about BC education politics because it only made me depressed and cynical. And this is only the first term!
I think that our seminar group did an awesome job with this blog. We all contributed in a meaningful and respectful way. Good job everyone!
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