Personal and Professional Preparation
For my self-assessment of the 12 Core Competencies for Teacher Education I have decided to write a blog post on my EDCI 336 blog. I have found blogging a fun and different way of representing information and sharing my thoughts. It is like an online portfolio which I can come back to, which I really appreciate. Preparing to become a teacher personally and professionally I imagine looks
different for everyone in this program, for me it has taken a lot of self reflection and support from my family, friends and classmates and it is most definitely a work in progress. I imagine I will spend my entire career in education working to broaden my worldview, develop and nourish a growth mindset and maintain a sense of professionalism in the classroom and my daily life.
Worldview
My worldview this year has grown drastically and also changed and adapted as the world handles the recent hurdles of 2020. Seeing how each nation has handled the pandemic, including our own, Canada, and our neighbor the United States has been very interesting to watch and sometimes slightly scary! I think 2020, although it has had its challenges has been a year of growth for many people, I can at least say for myself it definitely has been. Another factor has been the BC provincial election and the American election which both occurred this fall. So many people had differing opinions, some which were contrary to my own. I think learning to listen, accept and perhaps agree to disagree with others over certain topics (such as politics) has been a large part of shaping my worldview.
Developing a Growth Mindset
This semester has definitely been a time to develop a growth mindset, as we have taken learning and school to an entire different level and ‘going to class’ now has taken on a completely different meaning. I have found, through this online school experience that I can be very organized and on top of things, but it is a constant struggle to not ‘slip’ and get lazy…as everything is more self driven. A few things I have tried when I am learning at home and not feeling like I am in the school mindset per say, is to get dressed as I would to go to class (no pajamas!) and put a bit of makeup on. I find that this helps me feel as though I have a bit more structure to my day and that it is a little more realistic and ‘class-like’. There are also three ‘ideas’ which I have come across and have tried to embrace this semester after listening to some podcasts, Ted Talks and beginning to read Jordan Petersons “12 Rules to Life”. They are as listed below.
- Acknowledge and embrace imperfections
- View challenges as opportunities
- Try different learning tactics
I have these written down at my desk and when I find I seem to hit a wall whether that be with homework, a class or something in my personal life, I read over them and then try to see the problem/situation in a different light.
Professionalism
Developing a culture of professionalism is something that I have not only been working on this semester, but for the past several years. For work, I have worked in the tourist and service industry for the past 5 years, which requires a professional manner and attitude at all times. I have found working with the public this way has helped me to create a professional demeanor, which I have carried forward into my classroom volunteering (which I did the fall/winter of 2019, prior to Covid-19). I have also found that I am reminding myself daily that although school seems much more casual than usual, as it is all online and from the comfort of our homes, I still must maintain a certain standard when it comes to addressing my professors and classmates. I think this in particular has been a bit of a challenge, but also important for my growth as a student and future professional, as it is more than possible moving forward that much of what would have been in-person activities, classes etc. will be online, and it is important to maintain professional relationships and appearances whether interactions be in person or virtually.
Complexity
To fully understand the complexity of teaching and learning
and what it takes to be an educator, I have found our Wednesday seminars extremely beneficial. I have thoroughly enjoyed having guest speakers come in and discuss their jobs, what their role is in the school etc. I never knew the extent to which some positions are required to do/know. I think perhaps teaching is sometimes looked at as an ‘easier career’ by people who know nothing about the job, but as my father has always told me and as I have learned this year listening to our seminar speakers and guests, it is far from that. Teaching is a passion and if done correctly, it is a very challenging, demanding job yet can be extremely rewarding. Although there are definitely moments that I feel a bit intimidated about the future, with regards to the upcoming practicum in the spring and whether I will be a ‘good teacher’, I am mostly excited to continue my teaching journey and grow with the help and support of my professors, classmates and of course the students I will come across in the many years ahead.
