“What we do see depends mainly on what we look for. … In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not all follow that we should see them.”
― John Lubbock, The Beauties of Nature and the Wonders of the World We Live in

My values as a teacher…

• Teaching occurs when you build relationships with your students: once you build a relationship with each of your students, everything else follows… classroom management becomes easier, students take learning more seriously and become more engaged in the class.
• Teaching is hands-on: the traditional classroom setup where the teacher stands at the front and the students are sitting in rows does not work with my teaching style. I believe teachers have to get down and dirty and work with the students.
• Teaching is a two-way street: An elementary principal spoke at a seminar I attended and said “In order for teaching to be happening, learning must also occur. It is a two-way street. It is not teaching until someone has learned.” This has really resonated with me.
• Teachers must be prepared for anything: A big part of being a good teacher is to be able to be flexible in any situation. You never know what’s going to happen in a classroom that strays from your original plan; a student could be having behavioural issues, an unexpected meeting or assembly could occur, a field trip might be cancelled, a fire/earthquake drill might disrupt your lesson, anything could happen! You must always have a Plan B.
• Teaching and learning occurs in safe environments: as an educator, it is your responsibility to make students feel safe and comfortable in their learning environment. I believe that very little learning will occur if the environment is a negative setting. In order to build a safe environment, teachers must be encouraging, motivating, and patient.

“Those who can’t do, teach”?
Poet, educator, and teacher advocate Taylor Mali delivers a powerful and inspiration slam poem which has really influenced me to become a stronger advocator for the teaching profession. It has also encouraged me to try and do all of the things he says teachers “make” in my own classroom. Watch below: