Element Seven

Element Seven

I have sought to involve parents and caregivers in the educational programs of their children by sending a letter home (with teacher mentor permission) explaining what students were going to do in class and seeking their help with gathering resources. By doing so it opened the channels of communication between the classroom and parents and caregivers thus extending the boundaries of the classroom into the home (see Appendix O). (7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 7.1.6).

I have also to undertake child protection and first aid courses to better prepare myself for the obligations teaching involves. The child protection course enabled me to understand situations of risk, how to deal with disclosure and how to minimise harm within a legal and moral framework. The first aid course has provided skills that may be required at any time when I am in the care of any students (see Appendix P). (7.1.5).

I will seek to develop an understanding of how external professionals, teacher aides’ and community personnel assist in the education process of students. It is very likely that I will have to deal with such persons in the future. (7.1.4).

I need to seek opportunities when I am on professional experience to observe how teacher aides’, external professionals and other community members assist in enhancing student learning. I will have to ask my teacher mentor to assist in gaining contact with the relevant persons.

I believe that parents and caregivers have a key role in the education process. They should be valued as partners in assisting the educational development of their child. It is integral teachers are able to develop lines of communication with parents and caregivers not only for reporting purposes but to provide an open forum in which ideas can be exchanged (Groundwater-Smith, Ewing & Le Cornu, 2003, pp. 215-6).