The Teaching Standard
Educators implement effective planning, instruction, assessment and reporting practices to create respectful, inclusive environments for student learning and development.
“Educators have the knowledge and skills to facilitate learning for students, including learning experiences that reflect individual contexts and local environments. Educators value collaborative practice. Educators recognize and understand the interconnectedness of all aspects of teaching and learning and employ a variety of instructional and assessment strategies. Educators communicate effectively in either English or French. Educators know when to seek support for their practice and for students.” Reads the description of Standard 5 from the BCTC PDF.
I will be using Minecraft blocks as analogies throughout this page, please bear with me if you are not a Minecraft fan. (This is where the Minecraft theming began so I will be leaving this in.)
[ID Begin: An isometric slice of a Minecraft world. It shows all the way from bedrock to the topsoil including a variety of types of stone and ores. There is a small cave with a pocket of lava in the bottom left. The topmost layer is hilly and covered with long grass. ID End.]
A number of people exist within the education system. Students, families, educators, and other supports.
So, let’s say that educators and other support staff are the bedrock. The foundation in supporting the learning and development of the students they interact with. The students make up the rest of the minerals: different types of stones and ores, etc. Each student is unique! Each student is diverse! When working alongside these students we need different tools. While a starter wooden pickaxe may be suitable for some students (wooden pickaxes only mine basic stone and coal ore) others may require more advanced tools. If you find a student that is akin to diamond ore and you try to use the wooden pickaxe, you will destroy the ore block with nothing to show for it. You cannot mine diamonds with a wooden pickaxe! Educators need to use their best judgement to adjust the tools they use when working with students to be successful and thrive.
[ID Begin: A screenshot from Minecraft. The player is in a cave surrounded by stone. The area is brightly lit by lava seen along the right side. There is a diamond ore block attempting to be mined by a wooden pickaxe. ID End.]