My CFE is over and now I am getting back into the routine of school. It has been a really busy few months. I really enjoyed my CFE. It gave me a whole new perspective on teaching and
If you had the opportunity, would you teach in an international context again?
I would like to teach in an international context again because I think that it is valuable experience to see how other school systems work and what they do well and what could be improved so that I could possible implement that here in Canada. However, if I were to ever teach in a international context again I would want to teach somewhere where English is a common language. It was hard being in a place where no one spoke english. I felt lonely in a room full of people because I wasn’t able to understand the conversation that was taking place.
What was the importance of your experience to your reflective process?
While I was in El Salvador I had a lot more time to think and reflect on everything that was occurring. I was able to really take the time to reflect on what types of resources and communication work and which one I could eliminate.
How has your experience impacted your ability to transform learning?
I think that the main impact I had was getting a glimpse into what the international students are feeling when they are sitting in class trying to understand what I am teaching them. It has made me want to further understand how I can reach each of my international students.
How has your experience impacted your personal and professional (teaching) philosophy?
I think that this experience reinforced the value of student teacher relationships and how we as teachers have such an big impact on how students view learning. I am my students to be excited to learn, and I want to encourage them to love learning and not look at it as just a means to an end.
What did you learn or discover about your strengths/weaknesses as a teacher from the programs and teaching you did at your CFE site?
I think that some of my strengths would be patience in developing and making resources and activities for the students, as well as being ablle to develop relationships with students. Even with the very few words I could speak with the students I was able to communicate with them through other means and develop relationships with them. The weaknesses I experienced on my practicum were as evident here in my CFE. The tone of my voice is one of my biggest weaknesses however, I couldn’t teach the students using my voice.
From your experiences, what did you learn about teaching and/or how children/students learn?
Because I was teaching mainly a kindergarten class, I learned that you need to have a lot of different activities plans, because students that young can only focus for a short amount of time. I also learned that when student this young really like an activity they want to do it again and again. So finding ways to include new content in the same activity can be very beneficial. Students learn when they are enjoying learning and may not even know they are being taught something, and so if as a teacher you are able to do this by incorporating activates they enjoy the overall then they may view learning as fun.
What did you see as the connections between your time at the CFE and your time in your UBC methods courses?
I think the biggest connection was with my English Language Learners class, but also the class room management. I found connection with some of the discussions we had in each of the classes. Being in El Salvador reaffirmed the importance of relationships with your students and also helped me to understand how my international students must be feeling when they come to Canada to learn.
Would you recommend this experience be continued or expanded for future teacher candidates? Please explain.
I would definitely recommend doing an international CFE anywhere, It gives you such a different perspective and understanding learning about how another country has its school system but also how other people live and what is valued.
With reference to the following quotation, how do the impacts of the strategies you learned and used during your extended practicum and methods courses compare in your international context.
Quotation: “Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.” -Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations, Nobel Peace Prize 2001
I think that the basics of teaching remain the same wherever you are. Though you may have different pressures from outside sources teachers still want to make their class a place where students want to learn, where they feel that they can enjoy learning and comfortable to share their ideas. I found that in that way what I learned on my practicum helpful. Also the ability to be adaptive. Because in other countries they do not have as many resources as we do you are required to think on your feet and be creative even more, to make the environment you are teaching in a place the students want to be. Through my personal experience I can say that I agree with this quote. Everyone deserves an education and education helps peopler to better understand the world around you.