January 12, 2011

Well this is my first blog post. So far, I am enjoying EDPY. I find that it is building on the information that I have learnt in EDUC 250 which I absolutely loved so I am sure that I will love this class as well.

Today's class we were asked to recall upon our own life and education experiences for an example of effective teaching in action. My entire high school years (Grade 10-12) were an example of effective teaching in action or as our school "slogan" if you would like to call it that was "Education for life". I went to a private all-girls boarding school in the middle of Saskatchewan. The decision to attend St. Angela's was mine and mine alone. I would not trade it for anything! At the time I absolutely HATED it but as I start my education to become a teacher I am finding myself reflecting upon these years and have realized exactly what effective teaching is. Each and every one of my teachers and Sister's (the school was run by an Catholic Order of Nuns) from high school have made an impact on my life and continue to do so to this day. I think the best example of effective teaching for me as a student did not happen in the classroom. At St. Angela's every night there would be a 2 hour mandatory study session. There was a catch with this though. If your average was anything below 75% you were in the dreadful study hall which essentially was a great big room with a bunch of desks. It was not a great place. If you have 75-80% you had the choice to study in the library. But, if you had an honors average of 80% or higher, you were allowed to study in your room. That there was the BEST effective teaching anyone could of taught me. It taught us how to study and how to achieve the higher marks because with higher marks came a better place to study. So I worked and worked and worked. It took me till Grade 12 but I did make it into my room for study. Starting at the Academy in Grade 10 I went in with a 56% average and I walked out a honors graduate. I feel privileged and proud to say I'm an Academy girl and I hope one day I can be half as good as a teacher as mine were to me.
- K