Money makes the world go 'round!

What an interesting subject: financing public education in canada. I was not surprised that the provincial government supplied 62% of Manitoba Education Revenues (I think I learned that in history once upon a time). But I had no idea that operating grants were dependant on the amount of students registered by September 30th. Definitely interesting food for thought. I enjoyed doing the budget cutting activity, but it makes me realize how glad I am not to have to be in a position to cut funding from programs. How does one decide? Each program should have the right to argue in their favour as to why they deserve  a certain amount of funding. I know growing up in the band program, I would not know what it is like to have any less of a music program. I loved band! I loved the opportunities we had in band (we travelled to California twice, Banff, Minneapolis, Brandon (Jazz fest!), and various places in the north). The feeling of playing that music and  that we sounded so awesome was fantastic!

But that's another story.

We're talking financing here...

I think school's need to have programs that allow all types of students the chance to achieve their best. Our highschool had graphic arts, metals, woods, shop, band, choir, drama, great art classes, cafeteria/cooking classes and an awesome athletic program. There was something for everyone, and I think that makes a great school. Not everyone is going to be a teacher or something with a University degree. We need trades, (mechanics, carpenters, etc...) performers, artists to have a thriving community. And for that we need funding for those programs to create the opportunity for interest.

That's kind of my rant. I do agree that we may not need what the budget sets out, but I don't agree that we should cut out a program because a few people think it's unnecessary. You have to look at the numbers to see if the interest is there.

Governance...

Interesting topic, although I still don't think I grasp the whole subject. I do think it is something I will learn and be more comfortable talking about once I'm a teacher and involved in more conversations on the topic. One thing I don't get - why are teachers the bottom of the chain? Aren't teachers the ones who do the work - educating the children? How much input do teachers have in governmental affairs? I'm sure there are teachers who are on boards or represent the teachers. Maybe I'm biased since I am training to be a teacher.

I don't think there is much more to say on the topic, but I do think that it will be good to know this information and how all the governmental stuff works. Knowing the chain of command will come in handy to see who does what and who we talk to to get things accomplished.
Gotta love government and politics..

Ah, History.

Discussing the history of education has been so refreshing. Much of the content we covered I have heard about or learned but in a different setting, or pertaining to a different topic. It's nice to listen to history and not have to write an uber long essay about it.
I think it's interesting to learn how education began with each tradition and in each province. Back in the history courses I took we learned education as a small piece of the historic puzzle we were learning about at the time.
I think it's interesting how different each tradition treats educating the children. The French concentrate on schooling the boys - they received a better education (how fair is that eh?). The English seperated learning based on class. The wealthier families got a more in depth learning whereas the children of poor families received the basics for living. American tradition was similar to English in that the lower class learned how to read so that they could read the bible. Higher class received college preparation. And finally it was relieving to read that the Scottish educated all their children the same. There was no seperation of class.
After learning (well re-learning) all of this one thing that I have learned is that it would have been enjoyable to grow up in the Scottish tradition because they allowed all children to get the same education.
Ha-ha I'm kidding. I think its important that each tradition helped shape Canada into what we now know have for education. We are able to have the education we have nowadays because of history.
I love history.

MTS Code of Conduct

I look forward to being a teacher, and to becomming a member of the Manitoba Teacher's Society. I am a member as a student, but once I graduate I will be an official member as a professional teacher. Yay!
There are 13 standards in the MTS Code of Professional Practise. Many of them seem obvious and are easily understandable. But there are a few that seem a tad scary, and I hope that I am never in a position that calls for that standard:
A teacher or group of teachers makes only authorized representations to outside bodies on behalf of the Society or its local associations. Without the express permission of the Society, no member(s) conferring with outside bodies may explicitly or implicitly claim that they represent the Society or its local associations. Or
 A teacher neither applies for nor accepts a position which is included in a Society in-dispute declaration.
Although I am sure these things happen.
Another thing I am nervous about dealing with is child abuse. Right now it seems scary that I may have to deal with students who are faced with this. I want to be able to do the right thing and make sure these students have the best possible care. (I also think I will have to deal with my own emotional involvement).

I'm going to be a Professional

I think there are many factors that account to being a so-called professional. There is one idea that really sticks in my mind that I was told when I went out student teaching: the 3 B's - No boobs, not buttcrack, no belly. I think that is extremely important dressing professionally in the classroom, and I think even in our personal lives. Dress to impress, or at least dress appropriately.
There are a few other thoughts that were discussed in our class that I definitely think hold true to being a professional: never compromise your standards and values, going above and beyond your legal requirements, and plain and simple; do your best, mediocrity isn't acceptable when you can do better. There are probably many other aspects that I can name that qualify as being a professional teacher.
I think we should all consider these ideas when teaching since we will be in the spotlight of many children's lives. We will be the people that they look up to (besides parents, siblings, and other role models in their lives).

Sergiovanni's 4 Commitments to Professionalism
1. Commitment to caring
2. Commitment to practise in exemplary ways
3. Commitment to one's own practise but to the practise itself
4. Commitment to valued social ends

I really like these ideas. I think that they are vital when thinking of being professional in the teaching field. Or any field of professional nature. An article I read on Segiovanni's views stated that believes that "in order to improve, schools must adopt the metaphor of school as community rather than school as organization." I like that. I think that in order for students to succeed they need to feel like they are involved as a community rather than working for an organization.

Being a professional seems so daunting. But I think I am up for the task!

Professional vs Subject Knowledge

What a debate!
I think if our class could have been on the fence with this discussion many of us would have chosen that both professional and subject knowledge is important as a teacher. Since we were to split up as to what we thought was more important it made for quite the discussion. Many of us were passionate about what we chose, but both sides of the debate had very valuable ideas. Some of us just need to understand how to bring up our points (tone of voice, language both make a HUGE difference).
I think that it is extremely important to have subject knowledge as a teacher and to be passionate about the subject(s) that we are teaching because the kids will pick up on that. And they will probably enjoy it too, especially if you have that professional knowledge as well. To be a good teacher you need to know what you are teaching and how to teach it so that your kids will understand and learn.

Why Teach?

When I think about why I want to become a teacher I think about the teacher who inspired me to teach. She made a difference in my life, she went above and beyond her job to make learning fun and to get to know me, and she took an interest in what us students were doing beyond her classroom. That is what i strive to do and become when I am a teacher.
Don't get me wrong, teaching has it's benefits; weekends, holidays, and summers off. Fairly good salary (depending on where you teach). But teaching is much more then that. I hope to be a teacher that inspires my students, and that students look back on as an influential person in their life. I enjoy working with kids; I want them to learn and become great people.
I am definitely nervous about being in the public eye, but I think that I am low-key enough that I won't have to worry too much about doing something stupid to tarnish my name.