Care

OCT Section: The Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession

Focus: Care

OCT Expectations: “ The ethical standard of Care includes compassion, acceptance, interest and insight for developing students’ potential. Members express their commitment to students’ well being and learning through positive influence, professional judgement and empathy in practice” (Ontario College of Teachers Foundations of Professional Practice, 2012, p.9).

Curated Material: Many Roots Many Voices: Supporting English Language Learners in Every Classroom Document

Many Roots Many Voices pdf link 

Analysis/Reflection:

Definition of Care

            Care involves accepting that students make errors and mistakes as they learn a new language. “Most English language learners require consistent long-term support to master pronunciation and grammar. Constantly correcting the English language learner may actually limit his or her development, increase anxiety, and discourage participation” (Many Roots, Many Voices, 2005, p.21).  As educators we need to be compassionate and attentive to how we perceive and respond to students who are beginning to learn English.  The document released by the Ontario Ministry of Education, outlines the importance of correcting students with care and caution.  Constantly correcting students without showing empathy and acceptance, results in students becoming disheartened. We need to be understanding and provide many opportunities for students to practice and learn to become comfortable with the new language they are being exposed to.  

Why the Resource informs my understanding of the OCT standard Care

            The resource Many Roots, Many Voices (2005), informs my understanding of the OCT standard Care, as it sheds light on the importance of correcting with care. As educators we need to understand that it is not easy to communicate in a different language without making mistakes. We need to be patient and give students many opportunities to partake in reading and writing activities (Many Roots, Many Voices, 2005, p.30).  The importance of valuing mistakes, as learning opportunities for English Language Learners is further reinforced in the book, "The Culturally Inclusive Educator" by Samuels, D. (2014, p. 105).  The artefact I have chosen helps us understand the significance of caring for students while assessing and offering feedback to them.

Level of Reflection

            Establishing a caring environment and feedback practice is essential as it can either encourage or discourage students to learn a new language. I will need to provide constructive feedback that will promote students learning experiences. I don’t want to provide feedback that focuses on mistakes the students are making grammatically but rather I want to reflect on what the students have understood and are trying to express.

References

Many Roots, Many Voices: Supporting English Language Learners in Every

Classroom. (2005). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/manyroots/

Ontario College of teachers, Foundations of Professional Practice booklet. (2012).

Toronto. ON: Author.

Samuels, D. (2014). The culturally inclusive educator: Preparing for a multicultural

world. Teachers College Press.