Professional Standards for the Teaching Profession in Ontario

The five standards of practice for the teaching profession are:

1. Commitment to Students and Student Learning;

2. Professional Knowledge;

3. Professional Practice;

4. Leadership in Learning Communities; and

5. Ongoing Professional Learning.

(http://www.oct.ca/public/professional-standards/standards-of-practice)

All five of these standards are incredibly important to me as an educator and is something we should reflect on regularly to ensure that we are meeting the standards. I think that regardless of what century we are in, these standards can and should be met by all educators. Number 5 is where it is important as educators to keep up with the times and adapt to our changing environment. In the 21st Century, this means becoming subject matter experts on ever-changing technology and how to effectively incorporate this technology into the classroom daily. It is no secret that young people seem to be quicker to adapt to technology and can often sweep the floor with adults in terms of technology. We should embrace a student’s prior knowledge and employ these students as leaders in the classroom and not be afraid to learn a little something new from them. I always feel humbled when a student shows me something really cool.

I think it goes without saying that commitment to students and student learning is what comes to mind when one thinks of the teaching profession as a whole. Teaching is not just a profession where we come in a 8am and leave at 3pm, enjoy our weekends and summers, etc. As any experienced teacher, and even not so experienced, there is so much more to the day for a teacher. There are often no lengths we won’t go to achieve student success, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem to the outsider.

I may not have a classroom of my own yet, but I have a significant amount of experience working with youth in the cadet program and I have worked in a few classrooms as well as a student teacher or volunteer. I’ve been an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces in the Cadet Instructors Cadre for 12 years now. I work in an incredibly diverse and urban area and I think a lot of my experiences with the cadet program overlaps with that of a teacher because I provide instruction and training to youth. I would like to share one experience with you that has truly humbled me. The cadet program hasn’t always been known for it’s ability to accommodate or modify its program for those with various learning challenges. In recent years, we have worked with a number of cadets with varying challenges and I think we have done an excellent job at facilitating their success in the program. Five years ago, as the training officer of my squadron, I was considered the subject matter expert on cadets with special needs. As such, I was handed an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for a new recruit. In it, the cadet was identified with having Aspergers. We had recently had another cadet diagnosed with the same so I had a little experience but this new cadet was going to be a challenge. He had high anxiety, was regularly medicated, and wanted to be a pilot.

I was a little overwhelmed, so I went straight to the source: The Parent.

Never have I worked with such supportive parents. They are always a call or an email away and we have developed a strong working relationship over the past 5 years.

This cadet has done exceptionally well. Although he has not been successful is attaining his pilot’s license at this point, he has successfully attended many overnight activities, attended 3 week summer training opportunities, been appointed important leadership positions within our squadron, and will be promoted to the second highest rank achievable in the program. He is striving to be selected for the Cadet International Exchange Program this summer, which is the highest sought-after camp we offer, and he maintains a part-time job for which I acted as a reference for him. This may sound like an advertisement for the cadet program, which is certainly not my intention, but I have seen this cadet grow so much over the past 5 years and I can’t help but know that this is in great part due to the effort I have put forth in training our staff, and communicating with the cadet and his family to set expectation. My staff now know how to read an IEP if one is presented to us as many of the same accommodations a student receives as school can be made at cadets.

I know that I still have a great deal to learn. As I am not teaching right now, I am taking this opportunity to take a couple of Additional Qualification courses to work on my professional development. As soon as I saw that this course was being offered, I jumped all over it. I love technology but know that I am not as savvy as I could be. I rely on my husband a great deal when I am struggling with something and if I am in a classroom, I can’t exactly call my husband and ask for help! I have learned a great deal about some of the resources available for teachers but I know there is so much more out there. I even logged into Minecraft tonight to check that out! I’m not sure if my husband has ever been more proud!