My best learning experience

Welcome to you Cohort 21 Blog. This journal is an integral part of your Cohort 21 experience. Here you will reflect, share , collaborate  and converse as you move through the C21 Action Plan process. 

This is your first post and an opportunity to share a little bit about yourself as a learner and leader. Please respond the to the following prompts below:

1) Reflect on your own personal learning journey and K-12 education. Identify one learning experience that you can point to as having made a significant impact on some element of your own growth and development. It could be that teacher and subject that really sparked significant growth or a trip that opened your eyes to a whole new world or way of thinking or a non-catastrophic failure that you learned so much from.  Briefly describe the learning experience and identify the various supports, structures, mindsets and relational ingredients that were put in place by the teacher or facilitator that directly contributed to your growth and success. 

My grade two teacher, Miss Moores, had a significant impact on me as she modeled what it was to be an exemplary teacher. Though I cannot remember the finer points of the day-to-day in Grade 2, I do remember feeling like I was important and valued. She went out of her way to make a connection or to respond to our gestures of connection. She even stopped by my home when I was sick with the chicken pox, in order to drop off a get well card. Her mindset was one that valued the input and the interests of her students. She had the freedom to set up her classroom management style in her own way and the result was a room full of love and comfort. I have thought of her and her example numerous times throughout my career thus far. 

2) What is the one Learning skill (MOE) or Approach to Learning (IB ATL) that you feel is MOST important in this day and age? How do you intentionally build it into your curriculum and develop it in your students throughout the year?

I believe that self-regulation is critical for all students in this day and age. Students who can be independent in regulating their own behaviour and contributions to the class environment are more likely to be engaged with the content of lessons, projects and activities. I work toward intentionally modeling my own regulation. I will make note of moments when I might be disorganized or overwhelmed. I point the moment out to my students and then give them an opportunity to engage with me about strategies that would be more effective. I positively reinforce examples of students regulating themselves for others to see and make note of.

3) Insert an image below that best captures the essence of that Learning Skill or ATL. (Click on the “Helpful WordPress Video Tutorials” link in the left hand sidebar to learn how to insert it)

For fun: www.cartoonstock.com