Resources for Education
Resources for P.E.
Reflecting on the B.C. education standards
Educators value and care for all students and act in their best interests
Entering the role of a teacher is a commitment to your school, staff, students, parents, and community. A teacher must act like a watchful parent, and as such, I intend to view my students as my own children. I want for them what I would want for my own children. I will motivate them to learn, to try new things, and learn from them as they learn from me.
It is crucial for me to reach my students, not just curriculum-based, but emotional-based as well. I must represent what a good person is, as they will key in on my actions. As such, I must encourage an open and safe environment where students will learn and respect one another. This is especially key to prevent bullying, in a society thriving with diverse individuals that may not identify with a gender.
Educators are role models who act ethically and honestly
In a society and culture teeming with inappropriate role models and idolizing celebrities, it is crucial for students to have good stable role models in their life. Part of this is to understand where students are coming from. Some may come from broken homes, or abusive relationships, while others may have the ‘perfect’ life, which is actually eating away at them.
It is important for me to be there for my students. By having my room open at breaks for students to come and hang out, or feel safe, or talk, I will be there. I must be true to myself, and act responsibly and professionally in order to encourage the same behaviors in my students.
Educators understand and apply knowledge of student growth and development
My education career has provided me with a wealth of knowledge. I intend on using the tools and skills obtained over the years to promote learning and development in my students and myself. If I do not know the answer, I will find it. If I see a form of assessment is not working, I will strive to change it. It is important for me to meet the needs of all students in my class, and challenge each one. If I can challenge them, they will learn, but if there is no challenge, they will not develop mentally or physically.
Educators value the involvement and support of parents, guardians, families and communities in schools
It is important to remember that teaching is not just about the students, or my own goals and aspirations. It also includes the community. As a teacher, our job does not start and end at the toll of each bell. It is a constant practice. Helping run school teams or activities is crucial for showing students and your community that you care. It is a way to become more involved with them, and reach those who need it most.
Sometimes all that is stopping a school team or event is a person to organize it. As a teacher, we must be that individual. It may take sacrifice at the start, but the benefits can be incredible. Our job is to teach students, but we also need to include parents or guardians in order to show them what their child is capable of. Even a small gesture, like phoning them after a student did something great can go a long ways. Our only interactions should not be condescending or bad news. We need to build relationships with the parents, just like we do with students.
Educators implement effective practices in areas of planning, instruction, assessment, evaluation and reporting
No teacher is perfect. We work hard, and constantly learn with everything we do, but we cannot reach perfection. As such, we must persistently seek out new forms and methods of teaching. Our way is not the only way, and we must accept that, whether trying new things, or heeding a colleagues’ advice over a lesson, we must be humble. This factor is what makes this stage so important. If we cannot accept or recognize what effective practices are, how will our students learn and develop?
Educators have a broad knowledge base and understand the subject ares they teach
This ties in with the third standard for teaching. The completion of my degree gives me the tools necessary to teach. It provides me with a large foundation of knowledge, and a database to research things I do not know. Students must see our knowledge in order to respect us, but that does not mean we know the answer to everything. Knowing the curriculum and the materials it entails is critical to this. We are the experts in our fields, and the students need to see this, but we cannot lose focus of their learning. We can rant and lecture all the knowledge we have, but it doesn’t mean a thing if learning doesn’t occur. As such, we need to assess our methods of teaching, and find the best way to combine our knowledge, and student learning.
Educators engage in career-long learning
As mentioned before, teaching is a process and a journey. We do not reach perfection, we only continue to grow and develop. To be good is to constantly find new ways to teach something, or reach the troubled student in the class, and especially to reflect on lessons. This process is a spiral, and with each full rotation, we should improve. We must also learn to compromise if that is best for long-term learning. That means swallowing our pride if a colleague is trying to point out something to help you with your class or teaching. We do not always have the best method, but if we constantly listen, learn, and reflect, we can.
Educators contribute to the profession
Being a teaching is being part of a collective team. We do not compete in our profession to find out who is the best, because we all want the same thing, for our students to reach their full potential. As such, we must share, collaborate, support, and reflect our work and the work of our colleagues. If I find an innovative method of teaching, I should not keep it to myself, but share it with others. I must also recognize how I began as a teacher, and therefore, need to mentor and support any upcoming teachers. This applies to more than just our colleagues. It also applies to our community in the form of fundraisers, teams, and clubs. Contributing to the profession also includes playing a role in the community, not just arriving and leaving as soon as we can.
The scary information about Jamie's video is that this information is not new. Health is a major concern, not just in the United States or Canada, but in the world. The facts he lists, and the points he makes about our diets is incredible. A sixteen year-old with six years left to live based on her diet, or children unable to distinguish what vegetables are is tragic. Obesity and dieting is a major issue in schools and youth today, especially with such easy access to junk foods. Granted, these specific facts relate to the United States, but we are not immune.
For me, teaching P.E. to students is not just about sports or learning skills, but about achieving a healthy lifestyle. Diet and food is a critical factor in this. Clearly the information provided is not enough, given the current trend in health. As such, it's important to add aspects of healthy living in P.E. that include diets as well as physical activity. Schools can be a base for healthy lunch options, excommunicating vending machines with candy, chips or pop. There needs to be a change, a 'food revolution' as Jamie refers to it. We need to make a stronger push and stance as P.E. teachers to promote healthy living. Health in P.E. is just as important as skills in various sports.
Changing Education Paradigms
This video demonstrates exactly what my degree and professors have been encouraging us to do, change the way we teach. They recognize how many classrooms are running like a well-oiled machines, lecture, assign homework, test, lecture, repeat. Learning does not occur like this. In order to learn, one must be engaged and involved in what is being taught, how it is presented, and how it is assessed.
Students learn in different ways, and the classroom needs to adapt in order to meet all students. By changing the way we teach, we can promote more critical thinkers, and inspire our classes to reach their full potential. We need to encourage students to use their passions or strengths to succeed in thinking outside of the box, while challenging them to develop their weaknesses. I want to change the way students learn, and enable them to unlock their full capabilities.