Educators act ethically and maintain the integrity, credibility, and reputation of the profession.
My main purpose of coming into the Education Program is to be a role model that impact my students in a positive way that leave a lasting mark they remember for the rest of their lives. As an educator, I recognize that my influence on students extend beyond how I teach the content of the curriculum.  I have the privilege of being in an extremely significant position in my student’s lives and ultimately act as a role model for them in all of my interaction with students, staff, parents and community member. This means I must be aware of the message that I am conveying not only in my words, but in my action and the choices that I make.
For all the time spent in my practicum I tried to keep foremost in my mind how powerful modelling can be as a learning tool. I sense this is particularly true when trying to establish a positive, supportive and inclusive learning environment. I believe that a teacher’s voice, language responses to students and use of humor sets the tone in the classroom.
I found that modelling wad particularly important for some of my struggling students when they begin to act out and cause disruptive behavior in the classroom. I consciously reinforce positive behavior by interacting with praise and encouragement. I try to identify their personal strengths so that others in the class could recognize and appreciate them. As the weeks progressed, I could see that students became more accepting and inclusive of one another.
I feel that I was able to establish a positive learning environment through modeling. This was supported by comment made in my final practicum me by Coaching Teacher Mrs. Rudolph; “Abisola built a trusting and safe learning environment for her students, she contributed in meaningful, thoughtful manner, and demonstrated understanding of student’s issues and concern. Abisola developed her ability to ensure those who needed extra support, guidance, and instruction received it as required”. Dr. Christine Ho Young husband, my practicum mentor from the University from Northern British Colombia added that “She is able to circulate, address student’s questions and assess learning formatively in real-time… she is also able to meet student learning needs”.
