Below are four competencies that I have been focusing on during my practicums and beyond:
- Intercultural Awareness: I am a white Canadian and everything I view is through one lens. Accepting this simple fact is something that has helped me understand that everyone will have a different way of approaching life. I feel like it is easy to see our own experiences as more legitimate and real, but the world is a diverse and beautiful place, with an abundance of cultures. Being open-minded to new ways of thinking, even if they go against everything we’ve been conditioned to believe, is important. Students from diverse backgrounds have taught me so much and I am grateful for that. Teaching in foreign countries was a challenge at times, but the end result was very gratifying. Being in a place where I was not the majority forced me to adapt to the ways of a different culture, whether I liked it or not. This is only a small window into the realities many learners face on a daily basis, and of course, I was coming from a place of immense privilege, a luxury most people do not have.
- Social Justice: During my first practicum with a grade 5/6 class, I was so excited to do Social Justice projects and lessons. I felt they were at that age where kids really start to think about systems and how the world works. They begin to question long-held beliefs and asking “why?” ALL. THE. TIME. This first practicum helped me look at some of my own beliefs taken for granted. When we did a hands-on activity about unfair trading practices that have persisted into the 21st century, I found myself conducting an abundance of research and realizing how I contribute to the systems in place. The day we stop questioning why our world works the way it does, is the day we begin saying things like “that’s just the way it is” or “it’s always been like this.” We accept injustices, because it’s easy. I made a commitment that no matter what grade I am teaching, I will infuse Social Justice into everything, even if it’s just prompting learners to ask the “why?” This is a skill that adults should continue developing their entire lives, and it begins with an unwillingness to just accept things the way they are.
- Creativity/Innovation: The day we stop listening to the child within, is the day we stop growing. At 32 years old, I often listen to my inner child before anything else. It is a vulnerable and fun-loving being that says “Nothing is permanent! Seize the moment!” All of my lessons begin with a spark of excitement, a new possibility. If I could create a scene, it’s looks something like this: The child has a wonderful yet complicated idea for a new endeavour, her mind races as possibilities come to light, thinking how fun it will all be. She runs to tell the adult. The adult helps the child negotiate details of the project without compromising its integrity, its core. The adult patiently sits down with the child and begins drawing a plan, helping with the fine-motor tasks: cutting, creating straight lines, folding etc. Child is happy because her idea is coming to life. Adult is happy because child is growing and learning (not to mention, keeping the mess at a tolerable level). So, I see creativity and innovation as the child and adult minds coming together.
- Communication: This is an underrated aspect of any relationship, whether professional, romantic, platonic or familial. When it comes to teaching, I have found that clear and empathetic communication is the foundation of strong relationships. This is a competency I feel naturally strong at but am trying to further develop, because one can never be a perfect communicator. I skill that I’ve substantially improved is active listening. I used to think that strong communication meant expressing yourself clearly and developing thoughts in a way that makes sense. Listening, it turns out, is far more important. Beyond that, listening without an intention to speak immediately, is crucial to finding common ground on which to communicate. Instead of saying what I want immediately, I will often go away, reflect, then come back and show the other person I have truly taken into consideration what they feel. Even very young learners deserve an open ear and open heart; they want their opinions and ideas valued. This remains one of my main goals.
