You Deserve The Best of Me

My photograph of the sunrise in Markham, Ontario from 2015 Winter

Sunrise Thoughts

It is still early Fall in Ontario. Recently, my day was spent in a Grade 1 classroom at an early start school from 7:30 where I set down my bag and took a deep breath as I got out of the car.  I especially love working at early-start schools because I started my career at one in 2004 in Markham, Ontario. A new building, then in its second year that still had its new-building aroma and shiny science lab that became my classroom for some years as I taught Grade 7 and 8 science before I moved on to other assignments. I worked there for 14 years and carry this place in my heart. 

This school has a protected forest tract behind it towards the east and because I would reach early, I always stayed a while and enjoyed the view, Fall to Summer. The sunrise always showed up and the view was always beautiful. I often refer to this special space as “the school with the beautiful sunrise” and write or speak of it this way. 

Back in 2004, this school was set amidst new houses and some construction spaces. There were no other built structures there. No park yet, as that came much later.  Now, years later, there is a cricket field with a well planned walking track, cement risers with a beautiful red roof over them and batting nets for cricketers to practise. In the summer when I walk there, some evenings the stands are full with community members watching the practice and jubilant cries of “Howzzat!!!” bring a smile to my face. 

Keeping Time 

We keep time in many ways and cricket nets can also be one. Every Fall, the tall poles that hold up the nets around the cricket pitch (a cricket ball is hard, no kidding) are attended to by the City of Markham, the nets folded up and tied back neatly. Every Spring, they unfurl, bringing the promise of warm weather and the familiar thwack. A dear colleague who works in this classroom that we set up together with two other colleagues messages me and sends a picture: “The nets are going up”.  

I know that for all of us who remain deeply connected to colleagues and spaces and fond memories it is possible for heartstrings to stretch across time and space. We become fellow travellers.

Learning Together

When there is authentic mutual respect, a shared goal to support learning outcomes of all students, and we strive to work together towards student well-being, we can support one another in our everyday work in meaningful, respectful and sustainable ways.  

I am currently in the role of centrally assigned teacher in my school district. In this role I work in schools alongside colleagues to provide professional guidance to support their students by co-planning, co-teaching, co-debriefing and co-reflecting.

In this capacity, I remind myself that colleagues in the classrooms I visit deserve the best of me. So how do I ensure that?

ETFO defines Professional Judgement as highlighted below.

“Professional judgement is defined, in part, as “judgement that is informed by professional knowledge of curriculum expectations, context, evidence of learning, methods of instruction and assessment, and the criteria and standards that indicate success in student learning.”

This definition is what I hold up before me as I enter the spaces where colleagues and their students spend their school day. I ask myself daily: Is my judgement in this interaction informed by the following?

• Professional knowledge of curriculum expectations
• Context (school, classroom and communities)
• Evidence of learning
• Methods of instruction 
• Methods of assessment
• Criteria and standards that indicate success in student learning

I also regularly check these ETFO Guidelines for Professional Judgement to understand what my strengths are in the outlined areas and what are my professional learning needs. And I seek support so I can support you and through you, your students. That is the path.

Like you, I do not use the term Professional Judgement lightly. When I speak with my colleagues and administrators who have invited me to work alongside in schools, I want you to be able to trust that I have the professional knowledge and skills from which my recommendations come.

I understand deeply that this word is not intended to hinder professional dialogue or to protect my privilege.  When my professional judgement meets the criteria that ETFO continues to share regularly, I am confident that you  have the collaborative partnership you deserve through which you can in turn support your students.  I am sharing an article “Exercising Your Professional Judgement” featured in ETFO Voice

So when I meet you or see you again, please trust that I bring with me my Professional Judgement to the spaces where you welcome your special sunrise.

I continue to add to my knowledge and practice my skills because you, your students, your families and communities deserve the best of me. 

With you, in solidarity.

Rashmee Karnad-Jani