Below is my educational timeline with critical reflections for each. In this presentation, I discussed a variety of educational experiences – some good, others not as positive.
One such influence comes from grade 4, wherein I had a teacher who really prioritised outdoor & experiential education. I think a great deal of my care for the outdoors stems from these experiences. I discuss in the presentation the importance of integrating place-based learning and how it ties into Indigenous ways of knowing (infographic on slide 4).
Additionally, I discussed my experience receiving supports in high school when I was struggling with a great deal of personal and familial issues. These problems impacted my ability and willingness to engage with education, but I was offered supports that allowed me to graduate and this impacted my perception of teachers as healers (see bell hooks quote/philosophy for a deeper dive on this). Something I wish I had reflected on more was why I received these supports when other peers did not. I think there is much to be said about the demographic I represent (white/male) and how these types of supports are simply more readily available to me. If one were to dissect the intersection of those who do not receive support, one would find that, disproportionately, those students tend to be BIPOC.
Something I often reflect on related to this is: “Did I make good choices, or did I simply have good choices provided to me.”
Education-History