Posts in Category: Personal and Professional Preparation
Ed Camp Reflection
In today’s EDCI 336 class we had the chance to do a mock version of an Ed Camp. Ed Camp is a teacher-created discussion session, formed by the interests of the people in the room. In Ed Camp, there everyone is one the same level and there is no main presenter, and no slide shows. These group discussions are meant to be learner driven by those in the room who share their experience and expertise on the discussed topics.
Here’s a link to the Ed Camp website —> https://www.edcamp.org/
Our Mock Ed Camp
Our group discussed who our favourite teacher was in high school and why. There was a common thread amongst our group; that our favourite instructors were those who…
1) did things differently/weren’t afraid to break out of the traditional mold of teaching
2) were kind and genuinely believed and supported our growth and success as both a student and an individual
Personal Thoughts
These two attributes were things that brought us closer to ourselves and our teachers, which in turn created a more inclusive and diverse learning environment. For myself, school was a struggle. I didn’t enjoy the day to day routine, long days, and never ending homework load. Added on top of that was, for the most part, boring class time caused by teachers who didn’t include creativity or unconventionality in their classrooms. Being a creative and slightly unconventional person, I felt unsupported and crushed by my high school environment. The teachers that stood out to me were those who brought elements of theatre in their classrooms and weren’t afraid to think outside the box and encourage their students to do so, too. This made me feel like I was welcome somewhere; that my different way of thinking and being was accepted by at least someone in the school environment. It made me feel less alone and awkward, especially when I saw how well received the teacher’s teaching was taken by other classmates. It gave me the self esteem I needed to fell comfortable in my own skin.
Climate Strike Week 2 (The BIG one!)
Global Climate Strike: 20,000 Strong!
On Friday, September 27th, I had the opportunity to attend the main Global Climate Strike event. I attended, with an estimated 20,000 other people, to march in solidarity for the environment and its inhabitants. Having attend the first climate strike in Victoria last Friday, I can say the turn out this time had a much wider reaching effect as far as size and energy goes – not that the last strike wasn’t effective, it was just much smaller. I also ran into at least 10 familiar faces, half of which were from my UVic cohort. Yes!!! I had been disappointed last week when none of my cohort showed up at the strike, and had my fingers crossed to see some at this event.
What it Meant to Me
This strike really opened my eyes to the amount of people who are concerned about the climate crisis. It felt really good to be around like-minded people in that sense, and know t
hat something very important to me was shared with thousands of others. I feel like it is not uncommon to feel as though talking about climate change is a taboo subject that shouldn’t be discusses with everyone – kind of like politics (and it is political!). This strike made me feel supported in my belief, and it gave me great hope that we can pull through as a society if we can come together to create change.
So Many Young Ones!
I was also really taken aback, and may have shed a tear or two, when the amount of youth/child attendees registered in my brain. When I was in high school, ten years ago, most of mypeers AND MY TEACHERS scoffed or laughed at me when I passionately addressed the topic during class discussion. I was labelled as “the hippie” and “the activist”, not just seen for caring about something very important to all beings. This left me with a great amount of anger and feeling of disconnection to those around me, but it also fuelled me to keep educating myself and having difficult discussions with others who had different beliefs. To see so many youth involved and passionate about climate justice / environmentalism really gave me hope that we are moving forward as a society. However, I still do have a great deal of climate anxiety, and much of this is the result of very real, sad truths.
A Final N
ote on Loss and Educating Climate Deniers
I take climate change very seriously. As inspiring and exciting as this issue was, it also came with some sadness. I made the decision to un-friend a friend of over 10 years because of their denial of climate change and decision to support the Conservative leader Andrew Scheer. While I feel great loss because of this, I just cannot understand how someone could deny climate change as it is a very real, and happening crisis. In the near future I will reach out to this friend and see if a conversation about the issue is possible. I have to go prepared, however, as the conversation will be a long one and likely heated. Has anyone else been in this, or a similar, position? How did you approach it? did you approach it?
Climate Strike Week 1
First Climate Strike
On Friday, Sept 20th, I attended the first climate strike in Victoria of the global climate strike week! We blocked the intersection at Belleville and Government to peacefully protest for the earth and its many inhabitants. We were there to support the global climate strikers worldwide, the environment, and indigenous peoples who’s communities and ways of life are being affected by this crisis.
Why I Attended
As a participant and an observer, I was able to see the reasons for activists showing up and spearheading the event. There were different speakers who expressed their desire, and the dire need, to move away from fossil fuels. They did so through theatre, music, traditional speech, poetry, and dance. There were first nations speakers who expressed their concern about the impacts of a pipeline being built through their communities, and how this will negative effect some food sources they rely upon. I attended this strike to educate myself and stand in solidarity. As an environmentally conscious person, I had to be there. I really love this earth; its landscapes, animals, and most of the people who inhabit it. I want to be a part of the change towards a cleaner world, and if we can’t get there I can be content knowing that I tried to make it possible.
I wish I had seen more people from my cohort there. Although, many folks didn’t realize the strike had started. I think many people thought it was only on Friday, September 27th. As an educator, I really believe that it’s my duty to show up as an ally for the environment, and any one else who needs support in this crisis.
A Note on the Haters
While at the protest I was also able to create a little chalk art piece. Creating this gave me insight into some opposing views of climate change, and the types of aggression that accompany it. Some people walked over my chalk art piece, stomped on it while I was working, scoffed and swore at it and myself, and whispered passive aggressive phrases at me under their breath while walking by. It really is interesting how much hate some people have towards those who are trying to make the world a better place. I would love to have the opportunity to discuss with them why they have such anger and hatred towards environmentalist types. In the past when I’ve tried this, I am often met with hostility, so I didn’t engage this time. There was also a man who was wearing a shirt that read, “I LOVE FOSSIL FUELS”. He marched around the protest, smiling, challenging mostly younger students on their beliefs. Metaphorically, this man represented what we are fighting in the world – the insertion of ignorance and denial into a peaceful gathering of live beings.
- Verbal consent to use photos for this online class blog was provided by those in the photos
Professional, Unprofessional Online Presence
How Do Teachers Host an Authentic and Professional Online Presence?Â
Photo by Victoria Heath on Unsplash
The Presentation Made Me Wonder…
Today’s presentation with guest speaker Jesse Miller provided me with some valuable information regarding online safety, security, and presence as a teacher. It was both informative and unsettling. While I learned useful information, I’m left feeling unsettled and irritated that teachers are still held to a puritan standard. I wonder how we as teachers can hold an online presence that is true to ourselves and professional?
Oh, The Irony… And I rant.
I wonder why, in a time where we’re trying to teach honesty and transparency to youth, teachers are asked to essentially be flawless. Teachers cannot be witnessed in a photograph doing something legal and completely harmless, like having a glass of wine with a friend. As a teacher in training, I find this to be a potential invasion of my personal life. Not that a student sees a photograph of me drinking a glass of wine, but that I have been asked to not enjoy that glass of wine in the presence of anyone who may have a camera and post that online. To get persnickety about this, that would mean that I am not able to go anywhere where a camera and alcohol is present, on the chance that I may end up online with a glass of wine in hand. Same goes for other joys in life. What if I enjoy laying on a beach with my top off? While it is legal, and women have fought for centuries for equal rights and the end of objectification to women’s bodies, would I be reprimanded for doing this? Using the current logic, If a person decides to take a photograph of me without my knowing, places it online, and a student somehow sees it, I am the one who will be reprimanded despite my actions being legal.
How to (Hopefully) Ensure Privacy
Turn your privacy settings ON. What I gathered from the presentation is that in order to stay safe as a teacher in the world of online presences is to turn all social media settings to private. Never have a student as a contact/friend. Use an alias. Don’t tell other co-workers about your online presences. What other precautions could teachers take to keep their work and social life separate?
Final Thoughts
How do you see being able to express yourself honestly in social media, if there are parts of your life that have to be censored? Do you see this as being valid, given that teachers are teaching other peoples’ children? Do you think the censorship of teachers lives is outdated and needs to change? If so, why?
Here is a link to a CBC article about social media and its effects on teachers reputations –> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/why-social-media-can-be-a-minefield-for-teachers-1.3219179
Thank you to Jesse Miller for the thought provoking presentation and being available to approach with questions regarding this issue.
Sources
unsplash.com