Article 2: On Becoming a Reflective Teacher
After reading Grant and Zeichner’s article on “Becoming a Reflective Teacher” I do understand that the profession of teaching is not all cut and dry; that there is a foundation and framework in play and that the reflective process is a means in which teachers’ can contribute to the revitalization and renewal of our schools. In addition, I do believe that being reflective will allow an individual keep up with change as education in this last century has been dynamic and subject to change.
I enjoyed how Grant and Zeichner broke down reflective action into 3 components of open-mindedness, responsibility and wholeheartedness to address the actions behind an uncritically thought person, who may accept the agendas behind their routines, barriers, and hidden curricula.
However, as the authors have indicated, new teachers are going to go into a school with the notion of conformity, adhering to peer and institutional preference and policy, not wanting to rock the boat. Which makes sense as my experience is little and job is at stake–who am I to judge. Despite this contradictory position, I believe it merely a point of awareness that should be made by teacher candidates entering the profession. Therefore, I look at their argument as a warning; that caution should be made with respect to one’s explicit (outside voice) nature of reflection.
There is no doubt in my mind that reflection is tied to the long term development of a teacher, their craft and their beliefs on the issues of curriculum and instruction. Especially, when considering a teacher’s degree of personal direction over their development. Variability does exist between choice and constraint. I expect that notions reached during reflection will encounter barriers, as bureaucracy exists in districts, schools, administrations and fellow educators, but that differences will reside amongst them as there are many pegs as there are holes to fit in.
One point made in the article that struck a core with me was the notion that our views on education and schooling have been primarily internalized and are biased. Internalized due to years of exposure and biased because of our educational preferences (we want to be a teacher). I never thought of myself as being a member of a group who has excelled and made it through the system. I never thought that we would naturally tend to favor and err on the side of the system based on our vantages, which would not account for those others who fail or struggle.
So yes, reflect and be active in identifying, analyzing and justifying the origins and consequences of our beliefs. Reflect and discriminate amongst our beliefs, assumptions, theories and experience. So that in the end we can better develop our craft and deliver a more rewarding educational experience.
