Clarissa Chia S00225459
Advocacy and Activist Strategies
An issue in which I feel strongly about is that of Diversity and Inclusivity this not only impacts young children but adults as well. I believe that as educators it is our job to create an inclusive environment in our classrooms and help children understand and accept others whom may be from a different cultural background, therefore creating a more worldly classroom.
Personal - It is important as an educator to make the classroom environment friendly and inviting. By having books or posters that promote or include children of a variety of races can show families and their children that the classroom environment created is a place of acceptance regardless of cultural background.
Centre- Introducing yourself to members of the family and their children creating that bond and forming a relationship with them is crucial. Being able to gain a families trust and ensuring them their child will be well taken care of during the school hours can ease the families mind. Furthermore, if the family is of a different race it is our responsibility to re-assure them of any questions or doubts they may have regarding their child being the minority in the classroom, thus creating a safe and welcoming environment for the child to be in.
Community- Working in partnership with the local community or other services or individuals can benefit children in learning more about their community and people in the community who help to make it a better, safer place.
Systems- The Australian Government as well as the United Nations has made it clear that every child has the right to be educated regardless of race. Moreover, Early Childhood Australia has stated Inclusiveness as one of their 5 core values aiming to promote diversity in classrooms. Recently the ECA has introduced a new campaigned titled the Everyone Benefits Campaign aimed to increase awareness of early childhood education (birth - five) as well as this investing in quality programs and research.
Out of everything that has been discussed I feel most comfortable in acting on both the Personal and Centre as these go hand in hand by creating a warm welcoming classroom environment which promotes diversity not only will the child feel more comfortable in a new environment but, parents will feel at ease knowing that an inclusive environment has been created fostering diversity in the classroom.
TOPIC 6:
Task 5:
- Responsiveness to children – being aware and responding to each individual child’s strengths, abilities and emerging interests. Value and further develop children’s strengths, interests, skills, abilities and knowledge to further extend their learning.
- Learning through play – provides an endless amount of opportunities for children to explore, discover, create and imagine. Play extends children’s thinking and promotes a hands on approach to learning. Create a learning environment which encourages children to build on children’s learning in positive ways.
- Learning environments – respond to the interests and needs of the children. Both indoor/outdoor environments offer children and families to contribute ideas, questions, and interests and promote children’s understanding about their responsibility to care for their environment. Provide a range of opportunities for individual and shared experiences.
These three practices and principles I have chosen resonate with me as I feel that it is crucial to be aware of and appreciate every child's individuality as well as their own gifts and talents they bring into the class. Furthermore, I believe learning through play is important as it allows the child to experiment and use their imagine while learning in the process, the environment both indoor and outdoor contribute to this factor, the environment plays a major factor in allowing children to gain knowledge of the world around them.
Task 9: Reflection
What is a pre-service teacher?- In my opinion a pre-service teacher, is a teacher in training. While not a fully qualified teacher it is a half way mark between student and teacher. Still maintaining a level of professionalism the pre-service teacher is still in the transitioning stage of their career where extra knowledge, practice, understanding and skill is required before entering the workforce.
The Process of Transformation- There are some strong points in this table. However, I believe both at the beginning of the journey and end we as pre-service teachers are constantly needing to reflect upon our practices whether it be at the beginning or towards the completion of our degree. I agree that once we have come to the end we have ample knowledge of practical understanding and a stronger professional role as compared to the beginning of our degree.
When did you start to feel like a teacher?- I started to begin to feel like a teacher during my second year as all the units I was studying started to link in to what I thought a teacher should be educated on, in saying this during this year I was also more comfortable with the flow and university life style and no longer felt alone or in a bubble keeping to myself. I was able to open up more and give my own personal views, opinions and share my knowledge and understanding of the profession with my fellow classmates. I started to fully feel respected as a pre-service teacher while undergoing my practicum.
Were you conscious of making that decision?- In the very early stages I was very conscious of starting my teaching journey as I did not know what it was going to entail, I was reluctant to step out of my comfort zone and express my ideas as I did not know anyone and the level of knowledge that was expected. Therefore, at times I thought of changing my degree or dropping out as I did not feel it suited. However, now after facing my fears and putting myself out there I can safely say that staying and wanting to complete the course has allowed me to truly find myself and who I want to be not only as a teacher but as a person, wanting to create change or have an impact whether it be big or small on the world through educating the next generation of young minds.
How do we become teachers?- Becoming teacher is not an easy task, it requires a lot of knowledge about the curriculum, policies, legislations that govern the way in which we conduct our teaching. Teaching also requires an in depth level of understanding of children, the way they think, why they react or do the things they do and how each child is different therefore the way in which they learn is different. To become successful teachers we must have take into account all of these major factors and implement them or adjust/ adapt to them accordingly.
Why did you decide to undertake a pre-service course?- Having completed a certificate 3 in early childhood education and working part time in a childcare centre allowed me to experience what it would be like to work in that environment. While working and observing the qualified ECE's at work planning, preparing and engaging with the children I was inspired to make a difference in the lives of younger members in our society. Observing them and their willingness to learn and grow inspired me to apply for a pre-service teacher course as I wanted to learn more about how their minds work and the ways in which they learn.
What do you hope to get out of this course?- In the completion of this course I hope to gain an in-depth understanding of myself as a teacher as well as how I can improve my skills and develop my own personal philosophy and pedagogy to abide by. I also hope that this course has equipped me with the necessary knowledge and skill acquired to be able to successfully work in a classroom.
What is the value of a pre-service teacher course to a teaching profession?- The knowledge and skill acquired during a pre-service teacher course can be built on and carried across to a teaching profession. This course provides the fundamental values that a teacher needs to successfully teach and run a classroom.
Is the PEP Feedback confronting? How do you feel?- After receiving my feedback I was very happy with what was being said, there were no negative comments besides getting praises I was also giving a few useful tips to better myself as a pre-service teacher.
How do you make the most of the feedback?- To make the most of the feedback, I will continue to do what I am currently doing as it seems to be working fine as well as this I will continue to be involved in the centre, asking questions if and when needed and in engaging in any task that I am provided with.
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