5 Words, 5 Pictures

TO THE #UNBCED CLASS OF 2020

Greetings EDUC 491 Teacher Candidates from UNBC…

I really enjoyed reading your #OneWord2020 Blog Reflection and reviewing your e-Portfolios and TRIAD Presentations to conclude our course together, post-practicum. Instead of writing individual emails to you all, I decided to write a blog entry in honour of YOU to capture what I have learned from what you have learned. The format I will proceed with is similar to your Triad Presentation (and Twitter trend of 5 words, 5 tags). I will summarize your learning as one graduating class with 5 words, 5 pictures. 

Before I do, I want to thank you all for an amazing 2-years at UNBC. You are my first cohorts and I had the pleasure of being with the Secondary Years Cohort for 4-terms and Elementary Years Cohort for 3-terms. I learned a tonne from you all and I really appreciate that you have welcomed me to be a part of your learning journey in Teacher Education as your instructor and for some of you, your Practicum Mentor. I learned more about what it means to be an elementary teacher, to teach in higher education, and to affirm what I know as a secondary math/science teacher. There are many similarities and differences, but what I do know for sure, in this profession… you are always learning.

1. LEARNING

the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught.

Which brings me to my first word… LEARNING. Everyone spoke about what they have learned during EDUC 491 practicum and that they are still learning. What you have learned ranged from classroom management, assessment and evaluation strategies to being flexible with one’s plans. Many of you spoke about being where the students are but also learning more about the students so you could design learning activities that are meaningful, purposeful, and engaging for your students. I loved how EVERYONE reflected on their #oneword2020 and concluded that their word was right and wouldn’t change it.

2. RELATIONSHIPS

the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.

RELATIONSHIPS are the underpinning to anyone’s successful teaching practice. It was mentioned many times that relationships with students were integral to motivating students, to effective classroom management, and to experiencing the real-joy of teaching. The best part of teaching are the relationships you create, develop, and nourish with your students. Many had mentioned that they had learned a lot from their students, but also learned a lot about themselves and their practice from their students. You’ve acknowledge the beauty of teaching and relationships with students… it’s reciprocated.

3. COMMUNITY

a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

COMMUNITY is an extension to your relationships with students. You are not only are you creating a learning community for your students in your class, but also you were a part of many learning communities as a learner and educator throughout your practicum… and hopefully in future. Many of you mentioned the mentorship and connection you had with your Coaching Teacher(s) and what you had learned from them. But also, many of you mentioned other teachers, your TRIAD, and members of your cohort as part of your learning community. These people supported you as a learner during your practicum.

4. TRANSFORMATION

a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.

I loved how some of you mentioned that even though you may have been a bit ambitious with the #oneword2020 you’ve chosen, but everything during the EDUC 491 started to make sense. I appreciated that many of you took risks, experimented, and transferred what you have learned at the university to what you were learning during practicum. As a practicum mentor, I witnessed the TRANSFORMATION. I did not see this during coursework or during EDUC 490 practicum (albeit shortened). Something magical happens during EDUC 491 practicum where one transforms from student to educator.

5. RESILIENCE

the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

What an impressive group of learners. You are reflective and reflexive. I end my 5-words, 5-pictures with RESILIENCE. The teacher education program in itself, regardless of where you take it, is transformative. Change is not easy. Our identities and understanding of self are tampered with and transformed over time in teacher education. In addition to the teacher education program, the last 2-years have been exceptional at UNBC because you were integral to our program’s transformation and redesign of the B.Ed. curriculum, the Fall 2019 term ended abruptly due to the UNBC-FA labour dispute, and now everyone is #StayingAtHome due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We had to cancel our “Celebration of Learning” scheduled for April 9th that would have concluded our course and program, but you adapted. You were flexible and professional. I am proud to call you my colleague.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
YOU’VE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED EDUC 491.