Professional Thought- A Cooperative Discipline

 A Cooperative Discipline 

According to Freiberg and Stein (1999), the educational climate is the heart and soul of the school. A school’s educational climate is a reflection of goals, learning and teaching practices, values and the structure of an organization. Educational climate also refers to shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that drive the interaction between students, teachers, principals, parents and administrators in schools. When the educational climate is positive, it ensures a more integrated learning environment which allows a productive and contributive learning experience. There have been great changes in my school in improving our educational climate as we try to accommodate 21st century learning and teaching skills. There have been improvements in personal growth/development as an educator and dimensions of physical environment which also contributes to a positive school climate in which students can learn. According to Maxwell (2016), a well- designed and well maintained school building communicates to the students, parents, teachers and staff that they are valued and that their activities are important. 

Group Picture with the Grade 2 students before Mid-term break.

However, in spite of the great changes that have come our way, there still seems to be concerns with rigid curriculum implementation that calls for a change in quality educational management in my school setting. The tight scheduling with curriculum implementation doesn’t allow the spontaneity and joy in being able to get to know the students or for students to have more fun interactions with each other (Nieto, 2014). Since everything is so structured and standards-based, it does get a little challenging to get to know the students on a personal level. (Walden University, LLC. 2019f). As an educator, I want to be able to make time to really know the students in my classroom as I believe it can make me a more effective and impactful teacher. It is important to dig a bit deeper and find out about students' learning interests and strengths. Getting to know who our students are as individuals can help provide an inclusive classroom environment which will also keep students highly engaged in learning and provide a safe and accepting space when navigating challenging times that will encourage them to seek support when needed.  According to Melinda Bubp from Walden University, LLC (2019), the role of a teacher in today’s learning environment is to not only teach but to also build a connection with each student in order to further understand his or her learning style, social and cultural background, abilities and interests.

Knowing whether a student prefers to draw, watch a movie, read a book or be outdoors can help teachers build meaningful relationships with them. Chatting with students based on their interests can build trust and show students that their teachers are genuinely interested in their lives outside of the classroom. Some students may feel too shy to speak up in classroom discussions or deliver presentations. Instead, they may feel more comfortable with one-on-one conversations or written reflections. Allowing for these differences by using a variety of teaching strategies can help all students develop their confidence in various areas. By giving students the opportunity to explore various areas and learning strategies, students will engage more with the learning process. 

A handwritten note from one of my Grade 2 students. 

Curriculum implementation and Curriculum alignment is important. However, striking a balance between structured curriculum and freedom is more so important. Understanding the beliefs and concerns of teachers in striking this balance can provide an understanding whether the curriculum implementation will meet success or failure. According to Chapman (2020), administrators and teachers need to collaborate and engage in ‘shared sense-making’. This will help to assess and address learners’ needs and allow administrators to understand the essential contribution this aspect of student learning will contribute to learner’s success. 

Group picture of Primary School, Middle School and High School Teachers.