“When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous” -Michelle Obama.

This quote inspires me, not only because Michelle Obama is a wonderful role model for girls and women all around the world; but because proper education for women is very important for a society to succeed. In many places around the world, women are still not able to receive a proper education. When women are given an equal opportunity to thrive, and achieve the same quality and level of education as their male counterparts, the world will benefit in every way. I believe that we as a society need to begin teaching women that they can do whatever their hearts desires. As teachers we have the wonderful opportunity of shaping women to believe that they can be doctors, surgeons, politicians, construction workers, scientists, and any other career that has for years been deemed as a mans job.

“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” -John Lennon “Imagine”

This song has always been a personal favourite, because of its hope for a peaceful, loving future. It is a song that challenges the listener to imagine a world with no countries, and living a life of peace and no war. This lyric in particular has always stood out to me, because it gives me peace to know that many people have similar mindsets. Wishing for a future of peace and equality may seem far fetched to many, implying that the ones who believe in a future of peace are dreamers, however the lyric reminds the listener that there are other people who dream of a future of peace and equality.

I don’t want to protect the environment, I want to create a world where the environment doesn’t need protecting.” -Unknown

I am very passionate about environmental issues, and I believe that we need change immediately. One of my main goals as a teacher is to teach the future generation to learn from the past generations, so that when they grow up they will be more conscious. We need to treat our students as if they are future scientists and engineers who have the key to saving the environment; because they very well could be one day. This quote speaks volumes to me, because we need to not only save the environment right now, but we need to begin a world with renewable, sustainable resources, so that we never again have to panic about climate change, or the plastic in the worlds oceans. We need to aim for sustainable lives, so that our children will never know the stress of a sick world.

“Powerful women do not have to act masculine or cold in order to get things done.” -Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has always been a role model for me personally with her feminist views. I believe that as educators, we need to teach girls that being a woman does not make you any weaker, or have any less potential. Women are very capable, and do not have to adjust in order to fit into a man’s world, but rather show the world that women have an important place in the world.

“Education is not a race. Racing others is not an effective way to learn or teach.” -Ariel Sacks in “Education Week Teacher”

Education is not a race, it is a process that should be taught to everyone at a different speed in order for students to develop a full understanding of what we are trying to teach. If educators teach students at the same pace, it will result in some students losing engagement from learning too slow, and it will leave some students behind and feeling lost. A quality education is worth much more than a fast education.

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything [they] have learned in school.” -Albert Einstein

I believe that it is unrealistic to expect every student to remember everything that an educator teaches from the curriculum, however we should aim to create learners. We should aim for each student to receive a quality education, so that they are given all of the tools needed to succeed in life. Many years after the students have left our classrooms, it is very unlikely that they will remember everything that we have taught them, however they should remember what they need in order to continue education.

“The classroom is an environment, not a place.” -Emily Logan

Through my university education, my main takeaway has been that education can happen anywhere. Education, by definition is “the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.” I believe that many teachers educate kids through sitting them down in a traditional classroom setting, and lecturing them, rather than genuinely educating their students. Education comes in countless forms, the classroom, in order to be successful, needs to not be a place that students come to listen. But rather a stimulating, safe, open environment. The classroom is the educators opportunity to create a space that they wish the world mirrored. A proper classroom gives students a place where they feel accepted and loved. A good teacher can take the resources and the space that they are provided, and create a learning environment.

“I hope to create students who are open hearted, open minded, and dream big.” -Emily Logan

Teachers need to understand that every student is unique, and that not all students will aspire to be a doctor or a scientist, or continue into post secondary. Everybody has different strengths and aspirations, and at the end of the day, we should aim to create learners who enjoy education; however we cannot always control that, but I would feel that I have succeeded if I can take a student and show them that being a moral person is just as important as being the smartest. I want to challenge students views, and c challenge them to become more open hearted and see the good in people, and the similarities, rather than only the differences. I wish for a future that does not see diversity in a negative light, but rather as a positive thing that will benefit us all. My dad has always taught me to be open minded, and he has told me that message since I was little, which has stayed with me for my entire life. I want to create open minded students, who respect others and continuously choose to develop as people. I hope that any student who comes into my classroom will leave feeling empowered and that they can do whatever they put their minds to.

“Homophobia has a cure: Education.” -Unknown

I very strongly advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and believe that everyone no matter how they identify, or who they choose to love; deserve a safe world, and a safe learning environment. I think that the root of homophobia is the lack of education around it, and the fear of the unknown. By educating students, we can create a more accepting generation.

“Education is neither Eastern nor Western; it is human.” -Malala Yousafzai

This quote is from Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani advocate for female education. Yousafzai is a very intelligent person, but this quote is definitely one of my favourites. Education should be available for all, no matter where you life, your gender, sexuality, religion, or race. In North America, Western teachings is the norm that you will find in most classrooms, which does not provide students from different cultures, and learnings the same chance of success. The classroom should not be taught in a way that prioritizes Western knowledge, but rather in a way that prioritizes all students. We need to deny our western ideologies, especially when it comes to teaching students, and teach that education is for all.

“There is hope for the future with respect to reconciliation. There is a need for an addition of on-reserve initiatives and positive communication. The goal is to progress as a nation, and for education for the next generation.” -Tyson Reader “Truth and Reconciliation Poem”

This poem was written by my ECS classmate, for our Truth and Reconciliation initiative project. This poem really impressed me because it speaks about reconciliation, and the harms of residential schools, and generations of discrimination from Aboriginal peoples. The poem has a hopeful ending, sharing that there is hope as long as we recognize the need for open, progressive dialogue, as well as on-reserve initiatives. I very strongly believe that in order to have reconciliation between non-Aboriginal people and Aboriginal peoples, the government needs to give more support to small Aboriginal communities. We need to stop trying to force Western learning and culture on Aboriginal people, and instead support and respect Indigenous culture. Forcing Aboriginal students to learn in a westernized classroom, is no better than residential schools. The education currently is set up to make it harder for Aboriginal students to succeed, and we need to change that immediately.