Sept. 14 2023 Entrance Slip... On Becoming a Reflective Teacher.

Despite being old, Grant & Zeichner's "Becoming a Reflective Teacher" paper resonated with me a lot. It speaks volumes on how important it is for a teacher to be reflective. Compared to the 1980s, much has changed over the years; technology has boomed, and culture has shifted drastically compared to when this article was published. Parts of me cannot wait to see how culture and technology will change over the next 40 years, but that's for another time. As a teacher candidate, I am here to learn more about how to teach and develop my skills to best suit the modern classroom. As a result, my practicum is a significant time to learn, and this article has detailed some essential tips on making full use of the practicum. While this article has many positives, I also saw many ideals I struggled with. One of these ideas relates to the three key characteristics that define reflective thinking: wholeheartedness. 

While volunteering in a classroom, I had the opportunity to have conversations with teachers about student behaviour and classroom management in their established classrooms. During these conversations, I learned that sometimes it is impossible to dedicate and commit to the teachings of all students. As a teacher, I know that you have a limited amount of time and resources available to you, and if you try to meet the needs of all, you will only end up with burnout. While striving to meet all three characteristics of reflective teaching is okay, I also have to realize that some ideals are hard to reach. A teacher aiming to be a reflective teacher is an important goal to reach, and sometimes, you need plenty of experience to be a reflective teacher, so there is no need to strive for it right away. Yet the biggest takeaway from this article is how we should always strive to reflect and think about our actions. While you might not do it on the spot, taking time to reflect on your actions and realizing what other choices you had before that action can help you as a teacher build more teaching experience. Your intuition will take this experience and allow you to make decisions on the spot that best fit the needs of your students.