Governance in Education

It is important as teachers to know and have a good understanding of governance of the education system you are working in, because it will have impact on your job and career.  It makes a whole lot of sense to have even a slight idea of who makes certain decisions, especially those that can directly affect my job.  I think it’s important to have knowledge of control, let’s say if things need to change, you need to know where the influence lies. 

In Canada, the Federal Government provides the provincial government with funding.  The Provincial government in turn is in charge of the Education Act, which is the laws of education, and they are also in charge of setting the curriculum.  The Provincial government also has control over the School Divisions and School boards.  School divisions are a public entity and the school board, a board of elected officials, is in charge of the division, which is also in charge of money and direction.   School boards also do the hiring of principals of schools.  The superintendent is in charge of procedures and all things at the school level. 

As a teacher, I believe it is a good idea to have even the most basic understanding of all this, because as I said before if things need to change, you need to know where the influence lies. 

His Story...the history of education

To me being a history major, I feel that knowing the history of Education is really worth knowing.  Even for those who don’t enjoy history it should be something they need or at least want to know.  To know where it began, how it has evolved, and all the major changes that can easily tell us where education is going. 

In the early years of Canada schools were predominantly run by the church, but nowadays it is not very often you see that.  Most church run schools now are private, and few and far between.  We are now living in a secular world.  The church is gone by the wayside in all aspects.  Early schools based a lot of their teaching on the three R’s: reading, writing, and arithmetic, whereas now our education is outcome based and assessment driven.  We like to see learning in wide views from many different angles, whereas in the “olden” days it was straight laced right from wrong. 

I as a teacher enjoy seeing how education has evolved, and I like seeing where it is going.  As a prospective teacher, I want to be part of more change, change in how we approach things (for the better), and change in how we let our children learn, to flourish, to let them be as brilliant as they are.

MY MTS

What is expected of me as a professional?

   That question is a good one to answer before beginning as a teacher, as a professional.  Not only the MTS Code of Professional Practice, but any Code of Conduct is important to figure out before beginning a job. 
First looking over the Code of Professional Practice, it looks like a confusing read, but after reading it I believe it is quite straight forward. 
   The code of practice ties in with Professionalism and Sergiovanni’s Four Commitments discussed earlier.  It’s basically a guideline of how you are to act as a professional.  I will take it personally as my guidelines of how to act and go forth my business as a professional teacher. 

   I believe the MTS Code of Professional Practice will help me as a teacher to understand not only what is expected of me, but what is also expected of my colleagues and the MTS.  For me to uphold my duties as a professional under the MTS Code of Professional Practice some qualities need to always be practiced:
- respect
- honesty
- confidentiality in discussions (public and private)
- sharing of resources/knowledge/strategies
- helping wherever I can
- constructive criticism
- flexibility, and;
- openness to suggestions.

   I feel comfortable knowing  that in the future, as a professional teacher, I will have the backing of the MTS and will never be on my own in any situation.

Sir G. O' Vanni: A Professional

For me professionalism means something along the lines of:

-Believing passionately in what you do, never compromising your standards and values, and caring about students, colleagues, and your own career. (David Maister)

-Meticulous adherence to courtesy, honesty, and responsibility in one’s dealing with students, colleagues, and parents and community. (business dictionary)

Most of all, Professionalism as a teacher is:
-Adhering to a standard of high quality while incorporating an element of fun, without sacrificing your beliefs and values, all the while being a Life Long Learner (Triple L’s). It is also recognizing and utilizing all the resources of your community, parents, and colleagues, and providing your own expertise as a resource.

I believe that these three parts all combined and individually reflect Sergiovanni’s Four Commitments to Professionalism.  The four commitments gave me a lot of insight of what it means to be a professional, and how it’s not only in the workplace where it is to be observed, but also in public.  

The Four Commitments To Professionalism:

1.       Commitment to Caring – I strongly believe that as a teacher this will be very, very important.  It would be the most vital part, not only for the students, but everyone else who sees you in your work, i.e. parents, colleagues, etc.

2.       Commitment to Practice in Exemplary ways – to me I think this is how I will be “showing” myself as a professional.  It will be visible within my lesson plans, classroom management, appearance, and presentation within the workplace.

3.       Commitment to One’s Own Practice but also to the Practice itself – I believe I will reflect this with what I call the Triple L’s, to be a Life Long Learner!  It will include continually developing professionally, taking a student teacher (someone who will teach you new way, new ideas of classroom management, and possibly lesson plans), helping with MTS or whichever organization that supports me as a teacher.  

4.       Commitment to Valued Social Ends – being a teacher is all about making the world a better place, and always influencing the lives of the young people you teach.

For me this part on professionalism and Sergiovanni has brought me closer to believing in myself as a Teacher, a Professional.  It will help me to develop my educational philosophy in ways I couldn’t have developed prior to these ideas.  I hope to mimic these ideas in the future boosting me to Professional status!