While I was baking I began to think about how teaching is similar. You need to have all the proper ingredients with possible substitutions. The ingredients need to be measured properly for the best outcome. When making baking such as pastries they need to be molded and formed with care and caution. The oven must be at the right temperature for the baking to develop and expand. You must watch your baking to make sure it does not burn. Each piece of baking is different.

Students need all the resources and choices possible to give them the opportunity to learn in the way best suited for them. Students may need ‘substitutions’ or different ways of learning based on accessibility and needs. I have a job of making sure to measure/evaluate students properly based on their strengths. I must evaluate myself, my beliefs and make sure I am teaching the truth. I must treat my students with equity, acknowledgment, compassion, and constantly listen to what they have to say. I need to make sure all students in my classroom feel like they belong, have value and a voice. Students need a supportive and positive environment to grow. Students need to be able to move past the boundaries of the classroom and school to learn. I must pay attention to my students, their needs, and make sure I do my best to help everyone succeed. I must remember every student is different with their own identity, knowledge, strengths, and weaknesses.

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1. There should be a balance of power.

• Lectures are needed to get all of the information out. It is critical to take the information from lectures and let students engage in activities/assignments that best suit their learning style. Teachers should not only be placed at the front of the classroom. I must form circles and create discussions with my students with opporunity for all to be heard. Teachers can learn from students, and should always be listening.

2. Every identity and culture should be represented.

• In my teaching I will include materials that represent different cultures and identities. Teaching materials should incorporate different races, gender identities, different ways of knowing and more. Students need to learn how unique and important each individual person is in order to properly support others. Some students have special needs, and need accomodations. Students need to learn not to single other students out just because they are different and not the societial ‘norm’. The classroom needs to be accepting with the inclusion of everyone.

3. Learning can happen anywhere.

• Learning should not be kept within the boundaries of the classroom. Students benifit from a holisitic learning approach. Learning needs to be experiential and include the environment. Students benefit from hands on learning rather then just relying on their memory. The environment and land has many teachings, from all the organisms/life systems to the history behind it. Engaging with the environment creates a connection, and learning through doing to actually understand what is being taught. Students also benefit from trips to see examples of what they are learning and discussion with others in the community.

4. Everyone can learn from each other.

• Parents should be given the opportunity to participate in their childs learning. I will invite family to class to participate in activities and learning. I will get parents opinions on learning material when possible. The community should be involved in students learning. I will invite speakers from all cultures when I can. I will invite residential school survivors and elders to speak to my class. They will share their wisdom, stories and their truth. Students will continue to learn throughout their entire lives and will have many different teachers.

5. The classroom must be a welcoming environment.

• Teachers need to greet and acknowldege their students everyday. Students should be able to speak on anything they feel they need to say. Teachers also need to be willing to share to create a trusting relationship. The classroom should be decorated with input from the students and their families to properly represent all cultures. Teachers must support and encourage students in all their successes, as well as working with them to develop their knowledge. Students need opportunities to work with each other and to support each other. Students should feel welcome, supported and encouraged in all classrooms.