I’ve always loved working with children, whether it was driving them on the school-bus or working in small groups as an EA. Now I’m thrilled to be learning how to be an effective teacher. I’m learning about the importance of including Universal Design for Learning, UDL, into all my lessons, and I want to make this part of my regular teaching practise. I’m trying to make it a habit to notice people’s strengths because that builds up their confidence. In the classroom, I would like to give options for projects so that the students can choose something they are really interested in.
For my final EDUC 405 inquiry project, I am writing imaginary walking curriculum that is meant to evoke empathy in children. In time, I am hopeful that the student’s response to real-life situations will be strengthened. I’m very interested in Maxine Greene’s research on imagination and empathy – “[t]o release the imagination is to release the power of empathy, to become more present to those around, perhaps to care.” Naming emotions can strengthen empathy and help children to understand someone else’s point of view.