School of Education Newsletter - April 2017
The April 2017 edition of the School of Education Newsletter has been released.
Ed Harrison discusses the proposed Teacher Regulation Branch Standards, and their potential impact on teachers.
Have you thought about it? Proposed Teacher Regulation Branch Standards
Have you looked at the proposed teaching standards? Have you thought about their implications for teachers and your teaching? I would encourage you to have a look and participate in the dialogue about their meaning. We often think of the standards as remote from our actual teaching practice. But what they attempt to do is describe the hard work that teachers do in the classroom.
Are the new descriptions fair and reasonable? Take for example Standard One:
Current Standard One
Educators value and care for all students and act in their best interests.
Educators are responsible for fostering the emotional, aesthetic, intellectual, physical, social and vocational development of students. They are responsible for the emotional and physical safety of students. Educators treat students with respect and dignity. Educators respect the diversity in their classrooms, schools and communities. Educators have a privileged position of power and trust. They respect confidentiality unless disclosure is required by law. Educators do not abuse or exploit students or minors for personal, sexual, ideological, material or other advantage.
Proposed Standard One
Educators believe in the success of all students. Educators value and care for students and act in their best interests. Educators provide and advocate for a teaching and learning environment that is physically, socially, culturally and emotionally safe. Educators foster students’ positive personal and cultural identity, mental and physical well-being, social and personal responsibility, and intellectual development, to contribute to society. Educators respect and value the diversity in their classrooms, schools, communities, inclusive of Aboriginal and other worldviews and perspectives. Educators engage students in meaningful participation in their own learning. Educators treat students with equity, acceptance, dignity and respect.
There are some questions about proposal one that need to be asked. Note, for example, the following with respect to diversity which appears in the current Standard One:
Educators respect the diversity in their classrooms, schools and communities.
The proposed standard one with respect to diversity reads:
“Educators respect and value the diversity in their classrooms, schools and communities, inclusive of Aboriginal and other worldviews and perspectives.”
Notice the addition of the word “value”. This implies something more than respect. The question that should be asked here is: how does this extend the meaning of respect for me as a teacher? Suppose another teacher, or administrator or parent suggests I respect diversity but don’t value it? How will that be dealt with? That is an important question to ask. Don’t forget there is a Commissioner responsible for dealing with situations that come before the Teacher Regulation Branch.
I would suggest that you take a look at the proposed standards and consider what you think about each one and its implications for your classroom.
Check them out soon at: Standard for B.C. Educators
Ed Harrison, B.Ed Coordinator UNBC Northwest
Linda's Links
- https://www.edutopia.org/blog/earth-day-lesson-plans-matt-davis
- From Edutopia, lesson plans for Earth Day. There are many links to investigate. Also if you like what you see then consider signing up for Edutopia’s weekly newsletter.
- http://www.canadianmysteries.ca/en/index.php
- Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History - Viking age to the Klondike Gold Rush. Teachers’ Guides (elementary and secondary), web quest style Mystery Quests, curriculum connections, newsletter are available. This project is based at UVIC, OISE, and Université de Sherbrooke. All materials are provided free.
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