My Closing ideas

                                                    

     

The social functions of teachers are very relevant. We all know that we are in charge of building moral and ethical bases or our society, which is one of the matters that distinguish our labor from other vocations. Considering this social role, Martínez Boom (1989) discuss the following statement: “Ninguna oportunidad es desaprovechada para poder referirse al maestro como el forjador del mañana, como el encargado de transmitir la herencia cultural a las nuevas generaciones” (p.50). Moreover, in the words of Plato: “The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life”. In that order of ideas, teachers face a big amount of challenges about the future generations. I have been an elementary school teacher for more than ten years. I have developed a complex thinking that gives me a general idea of basic and general competences at school and their development is a strong obligation. I am a teacher who really cares about my students, their knowledge and also their human needs. I consider the holistic vision of education where humanism is present at all my classes, tasks, lessons and assignments. I think that a school is a place for happiness, solidarity and personal accomplishment. Elementary school students get awareness about the world by a sensorial, pragmatic and intuitive conducts. They are curious and they enjoy scientific exploration because kids need to explain all the things they see at the reality.  I see children as potential social and natural scientist and I engage them to ask questions even though, we do not have an answer for everything we can look for the answer. For these reasons, I believe that my job creates a future for children; I would be completely satisfied teacher if I could develop human, scientific and artistic abilities on my students because a high quality education is the main base for their future. Consequently, we aim at engaging learners to empower knowledge to construct a different society involving individual and collective benefits likewise: cultural, economic, technological scientific and environmental profits and; connected by equal relationships between people all over the world.

Reference: 

Martínez Boom, A., CASTRO, J., & NOGUERA, C. E. (1989). Crónica del desarraigo: historia del maestro en Colombia. Bogotá: Cooperativa Editorial Magisterio.  

                                                             FINAL THOUGHTS

Before starting the course, I considered Ethics as a subject with no relevance as part of our subjects in this ESP. All of a sudden, I am discussing the issue with my students and workmates at Universidad de Antioquia. Then I realized it is important, and it is really essential to have this topic in all programs in any educational institute, for students as well as for educators. We will never get a consensus, but the open discussion and points of view do enrich our life and professional perceptions !!

Individual development

thinking about incorporating an education that privileges the individual development of abilities above the omogenization, I have remembered an experience attended a rural school, in it the teacher devided the classroom into several groups. I thought on the possibility to do my  work following this model. Taking into account that I already told you "In my pechakucha presentation" that the groups are 40 students with different learning rhythms, concerns, skills and needs . Do you think it would be a good strategy?

As I mentioned in my Pechakucha work, a basic ethical principle is having competence in our subject. Unfortunately, sometimes teachers belonging to other fields have to teach different topics they are not prepared for. We have seen teachers graduated from other careers teaching English, or as in the case of a friend of mine who  a biologist, but since he is good at sports, he has Physical Education in some groups !! I studied 5 years to have my degree in that area. My question is : Who is to blame ? The teacher ? The institution ??

Teachers have an important responsibility to society. A variety quantity of qualities is required for a good performance in this career. A certain level of intellectualism and humanism is essential because teachers work with knowledge and also with humans. Teacher´s job is so different from other professions. We have to be artist and scientists at the same time. Artist, when we interact to the educational community, I mean, colleagues, bosses, students and parents because we have to understand human conditions and to be as comprehensive as the context requires it. Scientist, when we develop learning skills, and abilities to empower knowledge. It is not the same thing working on machines, building houses and avenues.  The social functions of teachers are very relevant. We all know that we are on charge of building bases in the society. A hero personality is a requisite when problematic situations come up because you cannot get lots of money being a teacher but you can be an extremely happy person if you develop this career with passion and love. What are you reasons to work as a teacher? What is required to become a high quality teacher?

What does being ethical mean ?

We have just finished our third subject this semester, we are half way ! My question is: How ethical have we been so far with our academia ??

PECHAKUCHA

The experience with the oral presentations through PECHAKUCHA was interesting and a little stressful. Although it was the first time I made a presentation like this I felt that it was important to have control of the situation and to be 200% prepared for this purpose. On the other hand I think that presentations like Pechakucha do not allow us to interact with other people and I like to know what others think about what I do or say. Taking into account the feedback or points of view that the person can have of me, allows me to build my professional and personal world. We are likely to have many ideas in common or many against but the debate and the opportunity to share experiences and ways of thinking are absolutely important. This does not mean that I am closed to new experiences or activities. All the methodologies and activities with which I can grow and be better for others and myself will always be welcome.

-          How did you feel about this activity?

-          Do you think that this kind of exercises could be done with our students?