Below is a report on sensitive issues that may need to be addressed in a classroom. There are a whole range of issues that come up in the mini-society that is the classroom, and this report only scratches the surface of a few. Completing this report definitely made me stop and think about the complexity of the classroom, of each individual student and their life, and about just how profound the impact of a simple action can be. I have since completed the MEND training that I mentioned in this report and feel more equipped to help students deal with their conflicts in a positive way. That said, I never want to stop learning new ways for how to be proactive about creating a positive, empathetic, and encouraging classroom environment where bullying isn't an issue.
Sensitivities
The role of a teacher is complex in that they must uphold
certain ethical standards such as care, trust, integrity, and respect, and yet
a teacher needs to be careful not to overstep any personal boundaries. A
teacher is responsible for the safety and learning of a student at school, and
yet is bound to reach beyond their natural scope if they suspect any sort of
abuse or negligence. Moreover, the ethical behaviour modelled by a teacher
opens up conversations about character education and how such attitudes can be
fostered in students. These standards reach beyond the classroom or the school
community; a model of ethical behaviour is a model of good citizenship, which
is what we strive for in our schools.
One way in which these standards can be modelled is through
antiracist and ethnoculturally equitable behaviour. As a history teacher, these
issues are perhaps easier to address, in that, immigration is not only a topic
in the curriculum, but is a topic relevant to modern Canadian life and to nearly
all Canadian family histories. It is important to recognize that just as Canada
is a diverse nation, so our classroom contains a diverse population, and yet,
we all belong and have something unique to offer. It is so important for us to
foster empathy and perspective-taking in our students in order to promote a
positive classroom environment where cultural differences can be appreciated
and where each can contribute to a rich community of cultures. In this
environment, we can open up conversations about historical and modern racism in
a respectful way and learn how to take action against it.
I am also personally concerned with bullying and how to
approach the issue with my future students. As proactive as a teacher is about
creating a positive and inclusive classroom environment, I think that bullying
just permeates the human experience. What concerns me most is how silent and
hidden it can be; I think it will be most important for me as a teacher to
establish a relationship of trust and honesty with my students so that no
student will have fear of reporting any bullying incidents. In order to become
better equipped, I have registered for a MEND training course in which I will
learn how to support students who are experiencing conflict. I have taken a
MEND workshop in the past and it showed me the importance of students learning
to be accountable for their actions as well as the value of reconciliation
between bullies and victims. I think that if bullying cannot be prevented, that
we should strive for accountability, reconciliation, and positive resolutions.
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