“Whereas the fundamental goal of education in Alberta is to inspire all students to achieve success and fulfillment, and reach their full potential by developing the competencies of Engaged thinkers and Ethical citizens with an Entrepreneurial spirit, who contribute to a strong and prosperous economy and Society”
Whereas it’s that simple 😉 It’s a nicely worded document that tells us that we need to mold and create ideal citizens that will be successful members of Alberta’s future. No Pressure right? It’s great that Alberta Education is seeing that change is necessary however , it’s a gradual process that requires all invested parties to be collaborative and understanding of each other …Government, School boards, Schools, Students and Parents. When an individual teacher looks through the MO it can be overwhelming. The order now in its 3rd year is still being developed through schools, some teachers have excelled at changing their styles/teaching mindset to fit student learning in the 21st century and some struggle that it’s actually the 21st century. The following link helps to understand all the outcomes from the Order:
Ministerial Order on Student Learning
What I took away from the last meeting was what Shelley said to start her presentation about her monsters. They all have different strengths and weaknesses and they shouldn’t be taught the same way.
It reminded me that is was 3 years ago that my views changed on teaching ; When Shelley told the staff at St. Kateri … ” All students are someone’s baby , the students all learn differently and that you teach them like it’s your own child”
I have a child that struggles with school and I wanted to make sure that how I was teaching was going to allow him to be successful. I asked myself the question ( “what can I do to ensure all students are learning ? ) When the MO on student learning was released it didn’t feel like too big of stretch on what I was trying to do for my own kid. The hardest part is ensuring that all other people are on board and when colleagues don’t have the same vision for the future of education it leads to a culture of negativity. How can we as leaders help guide those who don’t want / can’t change their stale methods?
The question I have for all is … What is your M.O (Modus operandi)?
GPCSD Leadership Academy Blog 
Reading your post makes me disappointed that I missed a great conversation!
The one statement that stood out was all students learn differently, and that you teach them like they are your own child.
This statement has so much value. If every teacher looked at every child like they were their own and that student knew the teacher felt that way imagine the impact it could have on students. It would increase student success and make schools a better place. There is good in every child and each child deserves the opportunity to reach their potential regardless of the path they need to take.
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So true change is a great thing – even if it makes us uncomfortable sometimes. I have been feeling guilty about using Google Classroom so much with my grade 7 students. However when I sit down to plan and think about it, they are successful and turn in quality work using this technology. The MO says that we should teach in a way to make students successful so even though this change in teaching style challenges me if it works for the students then I need to continue.
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Hey Cam
I can see Shelley using examples of “someone’s baby” to hit home with all the parents/educators in the room. Well done Shelley! The 3E’s have been floating out there for a few years and we (as a district) need to take the time to talk about them within our schools with our teachers. I believe if I polled everyone but our new teacher, very few would could name what they are, not that they are not doing it as good teaching is good teaching. The 3E’s along with the Cross-Curricular Competencies need to be reviewed just like KSA’s, but it’s always the question of time.
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Cam, I think that you and Shelley have really identified a very important aspect to teaching – “every student we encounter is someones baby”. More importantly, some of these students are highly protected by their parents, and some don’t have that same protection. As a result, we as the teacher act as the parent and build very special bonds with those students who are “forgotten” by creating a meaningful relationship. This to me is an important aspect of why I became a teacher.
I too have a daughter who struggles a great deal with her education and I have always said, “How would I like my daughter to be treated and respected in school”? This is how each teacher should look at how they build meaningful relationships with their students. My family is very lucky and fortunate to have St. John Bosco in our lives and the teachers that take their invested time to care for our daughters individual needs. As a result, she is more successful than she has every been in school, enjoys attending for the first time and is on track to graduate. Graduation is something that was a distant improbable goal only a year ago. It was the meaningful relationship that was established by the teachers in St. John Bosco, coupled with working to meet the individual needs of my daughter that has made her successful.
Thanks for your post Cam.
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Cam, your post really made me think as a parent. There are many of us educators who have our own children who struggle. I’ve always know that my son struggled in the classroom. What I valued the most from his teachers is that they pushed him to think, have an opinion, and engaged his interests. They got to know him on a personal level and pushed him outside his comfort level. Now that he has moved into high school, I know developing these 21st Century competencies will be critical for his future success in life.
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Cam,
Great post! Reading the comments it is very clear that we all want the very best for our students, and for many of us our frame of reference is also our own children. It is our responsibility to ensure all students are engaged, become ethical citizens, and develop an entrepreneurial spirit even when the the task seems daunting. When I think of my own children’s education those 3 words really sum it up. I want them to be engaged and develop a love of learning, I want them to be compassionate, caring people, and I want them to be willing to take risks and feel confident in their skills and abilities. This is something that won’t just happen overnight and will be the responsibility of home, school and community. It is our role, as educators, to guide, support, and care about each child as they travel on this journey.
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Whats nice about being able to treat each student as someones child, is that students absolutely notice it. This has not been more evident then with the students at St Luke College. Recently, the staff that work with the students at St Luke conducted a survey to gage how the students have been perceiving this method of instruction. Some alarming results occurred:
– 98% of students feel supported by their teachers
– 97% of students have made a personal connection with their teachers
– and 95% of students would continue with St Luke college in Grade 11
This data tells us that it does make a difference! If we do treat our students on a case by case, individual basis they not only appreciate it, but it also shows in their overall appreciation for their high school career: which is a positive one (it also helps with their learning but we know its not ALL about the learning; its about the whole student).
Thanks for the post Cam,
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I remember that comment that Shelley made when she joined us at St.Kateri. Ever since then I keep that in mind when I teaching, helping or listening to students. 5 days a week parents leave their children with us and we must remember that we are acting as the parents while they are at school, so we need to make sure we have a safe and caring environment where all students can be successful. That means we have to figure out what works for each student to be successful.
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