Learning Focused culture

Creating a learning-focused culture within an educational setting involves prioritizing learning and fostering an environment defined by respect, inclusion, empathy, collaboration, and safety. To cultivate such a culture, I recognize the importance of establishing strong, learning-focused relationships with my students. These relationships enable students to become active participants in the learning process, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for their own education.

Central to this approach is the establishment of trust, respect, and cooperation with and among students, creating an environment where they feel safe to take risks and fully engage with the learning process. Part of this includes working closely with students who have disabilities or learning support needs, ensuring that they are included and supported in reaching their learning objectives.

Equally crucial is the management of the learning environment to ensure the physical, social, cultural, and emotional safety of all students. By creating an environment where students feel confident in their identities, languages, cultures, and abilities, I aim to foster an inclusive space where the diversity and uniqueness of all learners are not only acknowledged but celebrated and valued. This comprehensive approach is essential to creating a learning-focused culture that truly supports the educational needs of all students.

Evidence 1

In accordance with the government's mandate, our school fully complies with the New Zealand government's directive to maintain a "cell phone-free school" environment. This policy has been implemented to promote an environment conducive to focused and uninterrupted learning. As a trainee teacher, I am committed to ensuring that the students adhere to this policy, and I personally refrain from using my phone during school hours to set a positive example for the students.

To foster an environment centered on learning, it is critical to establish a culture that prioritizes respect, inclusivity, empathy, collaboration, and a sense of safety. In order to achieve this, it is essential to recognize and embrace Māori culture, as it plays a significant role in ensuring that our Māori learners feel a sense of belonging and value within the educational setting. By acknowledging and honoring their culture, we can create an atmosphere where Māori learners feel empowered and motivated, leading to increased engagement and a more positive learning experience.

Evidence 2

Through the process of observing learners, I was able to gain valuable insights into their individual learning needs, understand their unique abilities, recognize their strengths, and identify areas where they encountered difficulties. This assignment profoundly impacted my approach to learner observation, providing me with the tools to ensure that students not only met but exceeded the curriculum's key competencies, values, and learning objectives throughout the entire learning process. Observing learners helped me identify their learning needs, abilities, strengths, and difficulties. This assignment had a great impact on how to properly observe learners and ensure that they achieved curriculum key competencies, values, and learning areas throughout the learning event. The student I have selected to observe is a Māori learner who demonstrates great potential and capability. However, he tends to get easily distracted, which can sometimes affect his performance. Despite this, with consistent support and guidance, he performs well, much like other students in the classroom.

Assignment 4 Observation template.docx

Evidence 3

The purpose of this observation is to gain a thorough understanding of the specific methods employed by my mentor teacher in establishing a classroom environment that prioritizes learning and is characterized by respect, inclusivity, empathy, collaboration, and safety. This observation is centered explicitly around a writing lesson. I am particularly interested in noting how my mentor teacher introduces the lesson, interacts with the students, and fosters active participation during the learning process. It is focused on learning and characterized by respect, inclusion, empathy, collaboration, and safety. This observation helps me recognize how my mentor teacher introduces a lesson, interacts with students, and encourages participation.

Semester B

Evidence 1

My mentor teacher and school follow the following strategies to create a positive learning environment. My mentor teacher filled out the following document for me.

How I model and use above strategies in my teaching/daily interactions with learners

My Mahi system awards students 3 points for each lesson when they demonstrate our classroom expectations. The values are Aotea, Taupaenui, and Paepae. Aotea represents showing respect, Taupaenui means striving for excellence, and Paepae stands for being courageous. Although I cannot access my Mahi system, I inform my teacher of the points each student will receive at the end of the lesson. Typically, before commencing the lesson, I remind students of the classroom expectations. This approach helps in maintaining a positive learning environment.

I enjoy incorporating PB4L (Positive Behavior for Learning) strategies into my teaching. I often praise and offer a treat at the end of the lesson to reinforce positive behavior in students. I expect them to listen attentively, participate actively, and engage with the learning task to the best of their abilities. After completing the learning activity, they can take a short break. If all students meet my expectations, they will be rewarded with a Lolly.

Usually, I don't shout at students who display disruptive behavior during the lesson. I stop doing the lesson and keep watching at the students who are not listening. and ask patiently to be silent. This helps to stop bothering behavior.

During the lesson, I encourage students to share their knowledge with the rest of the class, which helps me avoid boredom, and my students enjoy this strategy.

I move around the class and use proximity control while students are engaged in the learning task. This helps me keep students on task positively and stop disruptive behavior.

I have a few Māori students in my classroom, and some occasionally exhibit negative behavior. To encourage positive behavior, I integrate Te Reo Māori before the lesson. This helps show them how I respect their culture and identity and reduce their negative behavior.

Observation on mentor teacher -1

The aim of this observation is to gain an in-depth understanding of the various strategies and techniques employed by my mentor teacher to cultivate a classroom environment that not only prioritizes learning but is also characterized by respect, inclusivity, empathy, collaboration, and safety. This observation will specifically focus on a reading lesson, providing a close look at how the mentor teacher approaches the instructional process. I am particularly interested in several key aspects of the lesson: 1. **Lesson Introduction**: I want to observe how my mentor teacher sets the tone for the lesson, including the strategies used to capture students’ interest and activate prior knowledge. I will pay close attention to the language and examples used to ensure that all students feel included. 2. **Student Interaction**: During the lesson, I will look for ways in which my mentor teacher interacts with the students, including how they address questions, provide feedback, and encourage dialogue among peers. It will be important to note how the mentor fosters a respectful and empathetic atmosphere during these interactions. 3. **Encouraging Participation**: I will focus on the techniques used to promote active participation from all students. This includes observing how the mentor encourages quieter students to share their thoughts, as well as how they manage group discussions to ensure that every voice is heard. Through this observation, I hope to identify effective instructional strategies that not only enhance students’ understanding of reading but also contribute to a classroom culture that values collaboration and nurtures a safe learning environment. Ultimately, I aim to integrate these insights into my own teaching practice.

Observation on mentor teacher -2

The aim of this observation is to gain an in-depth understanding of the various strategies and techniques employed by my mentor teacher to cultivate a classroom environment after school holidays, that not only prioritizes learning but is also characterized by respect, inclusivity, empathy, collaboration, and safety. This observation will specifically focus on a writing lesson (to plan successful products to sell on the market day), providing a close look at how the mentor teacher approaches the instructional process. I am particularly interested in several key aspects of the lesson: 1. **Lesson Introduction**: I want to observe how my mentor teacher sets the tone for the lesson, including the strategies used to capture students’ interest and activate prior knowledge. I will pay close attention to the language and examples used to ensure that all students feel included. 2. **Student Interaction**: During the lesson, I will look for ways in which my mentor teacher interacts with the students, including how they address questions, provide feedback, and encourage dialogue among peers. It will be important to note how the mentor fosters a respectful and empathetic atmosphere during these interactions. 3. **Encouraging Participation**: I will focus on the techniques used to promote active participation from all students. This includes observing how the mentor encourages quieter students to share their thoughts, as well as how they manage group discussions to ensure that every voice is heard. Through this observation, I hope to identify effective instructional strategies that not only enhance students’ understanding of reading but also contribute to a classroom culture that values collaboration and nurtures a safe learning environment. Ultimately, I aim to integrate these insights into my own teaching practice.