Teacher 24/7
I believe that you are considered a teacher twenty four hours everyday. As a teacher, no matter where you are people will always look up to you as their educator, mentor, and role model. “The public trusts professional teachers because they have the qualifications, including specialized knowledge, skills and judgment, to serve students’ educational needs”(Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation). As a student in the Faculty of Education, I believe it is expected of us to act and present ourselves professionally since we are going to be future educators. It is also very important that teachers and future teachers keep up to date with all the rules and regulations regarding the contract with the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation.
Teachers, Knowledge, Building Relationships: Invitation and Hospitality
In order for teachers to build hospitable and invitational educational environments, they need to create a safe and welcoming classroom. This begins with the physical look and layout of the classroom which can include inspiring messages and decor, and different seating and learning areas. As a teacher, to help make everyone feel welcomed, you need to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. By listening to the students and creating those relationships, you are able to take their interests and needs into consideration for the different ways you can teach and assess their understanding to allow for successful and safe learning.
Students & Learning Environment: Focus on places, spaces, and boundaries
For teachers to make their classroom spaces more relational they need to make sure the students feel a part of the class and not isolated from everyone else. This comes with being conscious of the placement of the seating and how the students are able to connect and discuss with one another. The teachers always have to be aware of how they interact with the students, and their particular placement while they teach. Teachers also need to make sure there are no boundaries holding the students back within their environment, because an open and safe space allows successful teaching and learning.