Sex, Gender and Culture (Anthro 2250)
This was the one class in my undergrad degree that made me question myself more than anything. It made me question my thoughts, Western worldviews and standards of beauty. So many times in life it is easier to disagree and think something isn’t right because it may be something that you don’t do or practice. Yet this doesn’t make it wrong or disgusting, rather different and beautiful in its own way. This class made me start my process of reflecting and taking off my western world glasses to see that differences are something to be celebrated rather than discriminated against.
Family Life in Canada (Soci 4301)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QDWrHL30wBsS5JQjrki5BuE3nbFG0x_75RUt-YarHbI/edit?usp=sharing
Although this class was an open learning course and no class discussions or lectures were held, it gave me deeper insight into what future students of mine could be dealing with at home as well as why I as a future teacher may hold on to some things. Learning about why a student may be acting a certain way or problems at home will only allow me to help them more. This course has connected with the learning of EDIE 3100 in which I learned more about the psychological ways a student may act out or perceive things. Therefore this course helped me reflect on my home life growing up and some of the things I hold on to as well as key things to look for in my future students to better help them.
Sociology of Diversity (Soci 3991)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NGBajrhTNpA_FlZ9LTqYNWy778eMe-g9-O7DQdCnjn4/edit?usp=sharing
As this was another open learning course many deep, hard conversations were not able to happen but this course allowed me to start to have those conversations with myself. This course mainly focused on Canadian content and a large focus on Indigenous issues. Before this course my knowledge of Indigenous issues in Canada was very limited with me often having colonial views towards these people. This course kick started my path towards understanding this deep rooted problem and how I can play a part in Reconciliation. The information gained in this course will help me become a more informed teacher, who can understand her students better.
Teaching Philosophy
My journey to becoming a teacher started at a very young age, when I saw my adoptive mother nurturing and educating the kids in the home. My mother is an extraordinary human, she loved, nurtured, educated and loved all kids even those who were not her “own”. While many viewed her as a babysitter, “not the real mom” and various other hurtful, upsetting things. My mother did not let this stop her, she gave her all to these kids. I aspire to be half the human my mom was to my own kids, students or those who need it.
Many of the things I saw my mom do are what I will apply in my classroom. Such as, never giving up on those who need it. No matter what the/y need I will try my best to do so, and if I am not the person who can solve the problem I will fight and find the person who can. Secondly, having an open door, my mother never stopped communicating with the kids who left us. She showed that she was not just a temporary person in these kids’ lives rather someone who they can count on. In my classroom I will do the same, although you may not be in my classroom anymore, I am still someone you can count on for a talk. Lastly, while my mother had a rewarding career working as a foster parent, she had to collaborate with hard people. She did not let these people get in the way of doing what was best for the kids. Entering the profession I know there will be hard days collaborating with parents and colleagues. But knowing that I have the students in mind and I am doing what is best for them is all I need.
While my mother’s career and passion for helping kids sparked interest in me entering the profession of teaching, this was also my desire and passion as well. In kindergarten my teacher asked me to draw what I wanted to be when I grew up. My drawing was that of a “Earth Helper”, while teaching does not directly correlate with Earth Helping. I believe that the youth are our best shot at helping and continuing to prosper on Earth. And I will be the one teaching them!