The Harbour Library Journal

Hello Everyone, Compliments of this beautiful season. I recently attended a workshop on the Primary Years Program. Please find my reflections below: This course has influenced me in a lot of positive ways. However, one thing I will never forget about this program is the new perception I have about what international mindedness truly is. My take home statement is in the words of Singh (1999) in the article  Becoming International ; “Every aspect of the curriculum focuses on moving students toward becoming people who reflect the characteristics of the international person”. This statement has redefined my teaching philosophy and orientation completely. In the past, the IB learner profile was just another display in my classroom. I actually stuck them on the wall because the Head teacher made it compulsory to have them displayed in every classroom. As I wrap up this course, the learner profile has moved from the wall to my heart, my lessons, my behavioral standards and expect...

There couldn’t have been a more apt description of my early education experience than the ‘Vocational/neo-classical’ orientation in education. It was characterized by rigidity, teacher dominance, text books, formal assessments, high priority on math and language above other subjects and formal classroom arrangement. We were prepared to become lawyers, doctors and engineers. Any other profession outside these three was for students who are not smart. One of the most striking perspectives in the Vocational/neo-classical orientation is the teacher-student relationship. I was so afraid of my teachers; I could hardly express myself in class. The sight of teachers walking around with long canes still gives me nostalgia today. I remember a time when I was given homework on long division and I couldn’t figure it out. I was so petrified at the thought of facing my math teacher with an undone assignment that I ran away from home the next morning. I dressed up in my school uniform and instead of...