I can’t believe that this semester is coming to an end! My time in ECS 100 has taught me so much about what it really is to be an educator. Throughout the semester, I came up with educational philosophies that I will carry on to the end of my teaching career. Professionalism is so broad. I have never looked at it as the big umbrella of everything teachers do, until now. I realized that it doesn’t only mean doing my best to look presentable in front of other people and my students, but it also means being respectful, inviting and hospitable, paying attention to details, and realizing that all children come with gifts and have something to offer. It is also striving to be a bigger influence in the world around me. I am a teacher 24/7, seven days a week after all.
One of my big take-aways from this course is the importance of fostering an attitude of respect, appreciation and acceptance of diversity. This is something that as a class, we kept coming back to. There is so much diversity in the schools, from the administration to the students’ learning styles, interests and backgrounds. I believe that the most important virtue that we need to have as educators is respect.
During my time in the field, I had the opportunity to experience a grade 4 and a grade 1/2 classroom. Although I am sad that I did not get to finish my last few weeks of practicum, I am very grateful for the time I had of learning from my wonderful cooperating teacher and her lovely students. I was very nervous on my first day, but the class immediately made me feel at home.
One of my favourite moments in the field was on my unexpected last day, when I was about to enter the school building, a girl who I got to spend some time getting to know from the grade 1/2 class surprised me with a, “Hey Miss C! Are you coming back to our class today?” I was so thrilled to see her so excited to see me, hoping that I would go back to their classroom. Unfortunately, I was going back to my usual grade 4 classroom that week. Even though I didn’t get the opportunity to spend more time with her the next week, as I hoped, it’s special to think that I made a positive impact on her in some way.
This particular quote from one of my seminars especially resonated with me: “Love first, learn later.” Initially, the reason why I wanted to become a teacher was because I love being around children and exploring with them. But throughout this semester and my time in the field, I realized how much more I would like to make a change in the lives of the youth, and to love and care for them endlessly. I was especially inspired by the stories that my seminar instructor shared with us every single week. As a future educator, I know that there are still many stories to see, to hear, and to learn from my instructors, students and my future colleagues. I cannot wait to learn a lot more especially in the next few years. I had an amazing time in the field, and it really felt like the start of my journey to becoming a teacher.