The real benefit of a longer practicum, and the hopefully long career that will someday follow them, is time. Time to get to know your students and time to plan more complex and interesting things for their learning. I was in a rural school in spring doing my best to teach to a complex set of needs. I was teaching Earth sciences and seasons and for a group of students who loved to spend their time outdoors. Anytime I could intertwine exploration and the out doors with their learning I would. To learn more about how seasons effect us here on Earth we went outside to collect dandelions. Because I had gotten to know the students I made sure I had extra bags so that students who struggled to work with others would be able to work more independently. Before I went outside I discussed ethical harvesting with the students and ways we could be mindful of the land itself.
The seasonal perspective and thoughtful harvesting was the goal of the first lesson, but since I had time and had been in the building long enough to make connections, I realized I could expand. I collaborated with the Indigenous Education Worker to make a salve with the students. During a computer block I brought students down in small groups to help jar the now dried sunflowers. I made sure to bring groups that considered the students own connections in class and so far as I can tell everyone had a great time. It ended up being a great way to include Indigenous perspectives in a project that was mindful of my students’ existing connections and interests.
The district offers great training on things like FOIPOP and we were lucky enough to have Joseph Jefferies run us through how to protect students and meet District expectations. All great systems for making sure that IO as an Educator don’t cause harm or danger. Some of it its obvious. Being mindful of websites, accounts, website information gathering, and mindful of our own privileged position knowing so many names identities and personalities. It’s a serious responsibility to know so many families as an educator. The other side of this, is that knowing your students better equips you to care for and support their needs as people and learners under your care.
