Below are my Critical Teaching Manifestos that I have created throughout my educational journey.
What I believe education is for?
I BELIEVE…
in being comfortable with being uncomfortable;
that everyone deserves to be educated, no matter the circumstances;
that the education system needs to be a safe and welcoming environment for all students, staff members, and families;
that diversity must be accepted;
in hands-on learning;
in student and teacher collaboration;
that everyone is IMPORTANT and EQUAL;
in love first and learn later;
that the educator needs to be a role model, understanding, and caring;
in respecting others, relationships, and caring for others;
that everyone is equal;
that teaching is an art;
that teaching is a privilege;
that teachers have the opportunity to change lives;
in Treaty Education and in acknowledging the Calls to Action;
in respecting others and sharing this land with those who live among us;
that every child is a gift;
that all children are capable of learning;
that inclusive education improves learning for all students;
I believe that a classroom should feel like a family;
that it is okay to make mistakes, no one is perfect;
that my classroom will be inclusive;
that I will continue to grow as a life long learner;
I believe in YOU.
The why behind my core beliefs…
While reading the book called ‘Teach Like Yourself’ written by Goldberg, this author wrote about your ‘WHYS’ of teaching. This statement really stood out to me because it is important that your students and families understand your ‘why’s’ of teaching. The author mentioned, “the reason that why must come first that people don’t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it” (Goldberg, 2018, p. 23). In my future classroom, I want to express immediately the ‘why’s’ behind my choice of becoming a teacher and the plans and goals for each of the students in my classroom. I believe that this will allow the students and their families to feel safe and respected. The author also mentioned, “as teachers, the lesson here is that we must first get super clear on the why of our work, on our core beliefs, before we create plans for what and why we teach” (Goldberg, 2018, p. 24). I genuinely believe this statement is very important and I will be following it in my future classroom. I want my students to understand what my beliefs and goals are for them. I also want my students to create their own beliefs and goals for themselves.
How will my pedagogies embrace difference?
Each one of my teaching philosophies and pedagogies will embrace differences inside and outside of the classroom by acknowledging the identities of each of my students. I want my pedagogies to represent the needs and identities of my students, as well as ensuring that my students feel welcomed and safe when they are in my classroom.
As an educator, I want to represent my students in the best way possible, This means that I must continue my growth as a lifelong learner and learn about the diversity and all the differences that I will encounter as I continue on my path and journey as an educator. My pedagogies will embrace difference and diversity by connecting with my students – allowing myself to learn more about their culture and identity.
One way to embrace difference through my pedagogies is to collaboratively work with my students. This will require me to communicate with my students on what they need in order to ensure that they feel welcomed, safe and accepted. I believe that it is important to recognize and acknowledge the needs of all students and it is important for students to feel that they can express their identity and culture without fear. In my classroom, my students will be allowed to represent themselves however they choose. In my classroom, there will be no definition of ‘normal’ because everyone is different and they should be proud of their differences. I believe that differences among students and their identity, family and heritage are what help make each student unique.
In what ways does my teaching practice contribute to education for ecological & social justice?
My teaching practice will contribute to education for ecological and social justice by supporting and respecting all of the students in my classroom. I will also support the families of each of my students. As an educator, it is my duty and role to honour the names (Christensen, 2020), cultures, differences of my students to ensure that they feel valued inside and outside of the classroom. I believe that it is important that my students see themselves as worthy, intelligent and capable human beings that deserve to receive the best education. I will also plan the classroom setting, lessons and materials to represent inclusivity and diversity. I believe that educating our students on ecological and social justice is very important. When students understand the differences that surround them in their everyday lives, they will be able to accept and acknowledge them. I also believe that students should learn about ways to make their own lives more inclusive so that they can respect everyone around them. As an educator, I must educate my students on the ways to properly treat others.
What pedagogies and theory/ies of learning resonate with me?
The pedagogy of learning strategy that resonates with me the most is the social constructivism theory, which is, “the collaborative process between student and teacher” (Tes, 2018) and constructivism theory, “people learning through experiences and reflection… putting the child at the center of the learning” (Tes, 2018). These pedagogy strategies resonate with me the most because I believe it is important for the teacher and student to collaboratively work together to ensure that the learning process and teaching will meet the needs of all students. In terms of the constructivism theory, student’s well being and needs must be the priority when teaching. It is also essential that students do not just learn through reading and observing but also learn by doing.
What are my understandings of my treaty responsibilities?
In what ways is my teaching practice part of education for truth & reconciliation, decolonization, and/or indigenization?
As a future educator, I believe that I have many Treaty responsibilities that I must acknowledge and uphold when teaching. It is my role as a future educator to help achieve reconciliation and educate my students on how to achieve it. “Teachers have amazing potential to help make Truth and Reconciliation a reality, and to move the next generation forward in creating a fairer, more just, and more inclusive Canada” (EDCan Network, 2018). I believe that it is essential to ensure that my students know why we must respect those who live among us on this land that we share and all call home. In order to complete this, my students must become aware of our countries history and understand how and why we got to where we are today. I believe that we as educators must incorporate treaty education into every subject to ensure that our students are learning and growing their knowledge on treaties.
An important message that I will always remind my students is that ‘We Are All Treaty People’. I believe that this message is very crucial to acknowledge. Everyone who lives on this land must work together in harmonious and peaceful ways in order to make this country a better place for everyone to live and breathe in.
As an educator, I believe that it is important to recognize and take into consideration the TRC Calls to Action in order to achieve reconciliation. I also believe that I must recognize that I come from a place of privilege, as well as acknowledging the opportunities that have been presented to me throughout my life. Chantel Baudu in her video mentioned how her treaty acknowledgements might be different then others but it is also the same as others (Baudu, 2020, 2:20). I believe that we must all acknowledge the land in an authentic way.
My belief is that we cannot change the past, however, we can all work together to change the future. We all must work together to right the wrongs that were once caused, hence the process of working towards truth and reconciliation.
This is the link that will bring you to my Professional Development Plans page within my blog. You can also access this page by going to the drop-down menu under teaching manifestos.
My Pedagogies are and will forever be changing. As I continue my lifelong learning, I will adapt my teaching philosophies in which best support the needs of my future students.
https://www.edcan.ca/articles/truth-reconciliation-classroom/
https://na03.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/readinglist/citation/5490815110003476