Professionally Speaking

In today’s busy world, time for self-reflection is hard to come by.

But around this time of year, don’t you feel that we are somewhat compelled to reflect on our lives, our relationships and our behaviour?

It seems that we are programmed to be self-critical in order to lead ourselves to further development and growth. We set goals for ourselves, also known as resolutions, for the new year, and these aspirations of strength and determination are – by no measure of our own worth – often predestined to fail. It seems to be a cruel cycle with which we, as a society, have burdened ourselves.

As teachers, we are accustomed to being reflective in order to improve our practice. We are constantly developing new methods to reach our students and broaden their skills. We find ways to motivate staff. We instill a desire to achieve more and work smarter.

We also engage in ongoing professional learning, whether by taking Additional Qualification courses, attending seminars and workshops, or simply planning a series of lessons with a team of colleagues. We inquire, dialogue and reflect; this is who we are.

It’s no different for the members who sit on your College Council.

We have a dedicated group of individuals serving on Council who reflect on their own roles in order to make the best decisions in the public interest, which is our mandate. We understand the importance of self-governance and transparency, and make policy decisions that impact our profession.

As teachers, we are accustomed to being reflective in order to improve our practice.

For example, at its inaugural meeting the fifth College Council decided to examine the scope and mandate of Council’s Executive Committee.

This committee – of which I am a member – is responsible for conducting the ongoing business of the College between meetings of the Council.

For example, we review reports and regulations around teachers’ qualifications, barriers faced by teachers outside Ontario and issues on members’ conduct.

The Executive Committee is one of a dozen College committees that make recommendations to Council affecting the profession in areas like certification, investigation and program accreditation.

Council’s Quality Assurance Committee has just completed a study and recommended that we minimize the mandate of the Executive Committee. It recommends that decisions and dialogue be voiced publicly during Council meetings.

During these meetings (we usually meet four times a year), you – as a member of the College – and members of the public can hear debate on issues that affect our classrooms.

If the College is to maintain the level of trust and respect it has garnered from the public, we must make decisions in the open.

Council has asked for more research, will re-examine the information at its next meeting and will determine whether the suggested changes align with the public’s expectations of the College.

Just as in our classrooms we give our students time to reflect on their own performance, we must walk the talk.

I resolve to continue to make my practice as transparent as I can in the second half of my post as Chair. Then, when I look back, I hope I’ll be able to say that part of what I set out to accomplish was achieved.

Making positive change and finding ways to continue growing takes work. I am up for the challenge.