As aspiring teachers, many of us must take seriously the long-standing problem of Indigenous education in Canada. It is no longer possible to overlook the reality of the systemic issues that Indigenous communities experience, particularly with regard to access to high-quality education. It's evident from reading a few eye-opening pieces that even if there has been progress, much more needs to be done.
I read an article from Maclean's that examines the reasons why improving Indigenous education is still so difficult. It identifies the historical disregard for Indigenous communities, inadequate funding, and out-of-date resources as the main causes of the educational disparity. The other piece, written by People for Education, focuses on Ontario's initiatives to solve these problems by implementing new legislation and changing the curriculum. However, despite these efforts, it is clear that obstacles including inadequate funding and a lack of teacher preparation still hinder Indigenous students..
I was forced to consider my own practicum experiences after reading these articles. Working in various communities has made it very evident how much more needs to be done to guarantee that every student feels heard, visible, and represented in the classroom. I want to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are incorporated into my teaching practice as a future teacher, whether that be through curriculum, class discussions, or just establishing an environment where students feel free to share their stories.
This is a really important subject to me, and it will undoubtedly influence my future teaching style. It is our responsibility to establish a system that allows all children, regardless of background, to succeed because I think education should be a tool for empowerment.
Resources/References
Maclean's Magazine – Why Fixing First Nations Education Remains So Far Out of Reach
Link to articlePeople for Education – Indigenous Education (2016 PDF)
Download PDF
No comments:
Post a Comment