Food Matters and Understanding Teachers Work

And so another semester begins...

Week two of the semester and I am well and truly into the thick of it. From interpersonal communication skills to GM food technologies, I have had a lot to investigate. I am excited at my first professional placement coming up in the next couple of weeks and absolutely rapt with my choice of breadth unit with so many avenues open to explore in relation to food. I have chosen to focus my research on the area of Genetically Modified foods with the hope of getting insight into the impact of GM food and the rise of food allergies; a subject that is close to home.

With self reflection a big part of my growth as a student teacher, I am planning on using my blog as a tool during this semester while completing BED 150 which will come in handy over the coming weeks while in the classroom setting. So far I have been required to reflect on: why do I want to be a teacher and what is my relationship with food? Like most things in life, both are complicated topics requiring some critical analysis.

On another note, the situation involving Adam Goodes in the media at the moment, carries on the theme of last semesters studies of Aboriginal perspectives. If anything, it has shown me just how far Australia has to go in educating our society on what is considered racism. Looking at comments in social media has shown the true extent of the lack of awareness of what is considered racist behaviour. A friend shared an interesting story that I wish a lot more people would view and perhaps offer a more balanced, holistic understanding of the events that have lead to this point. Click below to view.

Adam Goodes the full story  

Q & A last night on the ABC had Neil de Grasse Tyson share his perspective on the topic which was interesting to hear also, click on the link below to view

Science and the future and the take on Adam Goodes

So happy to be studying a breadth unit this semester with some science perspectives, should be an engaging and productive few months. 

After having a lengthy break between blogs I am finally back! This semester of study focuses on Country, Cultures, Peoples. Only week 4 of study and I feel I have not only learnt so much regarding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples but I have also experienced personal growth in regards to my worldview on social justice. I have come to realise that a large portion of this unit requires self reflection and thus back to my trusty blog :)

Week one focused on personal stories as a way to introduce us to racial undertones still common in all three areas of; individual, ideological and institutional. This scaffolding introduction to topic two of "What is Social Justice" then has led us to the history of Australia in a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander context. I have always felt a personal strong sense of social justice but how to implement that in teaching practice has previously been a bit of a mystery. This unit is giving me the necessary tools and I am looking forward to continuing my learning journey.

This is all such a relevant topic of late, with the Federal and State Governments persisting with the forced closure of remote communities. I am disappointed that our government do not have the fore sight to recognise the implications of these actions. Do they not realise that this will only contribute to further social problems for Aboriginal People? The short term budget gain will only ensure that funds need to be spent to solve the added problems that will be made by this monumental mistake. A post that was shared with us on LMS accessible here: Remote Kimberley Communities highlights some of the issues that the Abott government have failed to consider. It is also a hopeful and in someways positive outlook, I just really hope that they can stay with their country.

Well assignment one is done and dusted; I'm now looking forward to assignment two and finding an inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person of note to learn about. There were so many that I have come across in the past three weeks but I am saddened to find that some of them have passed away at young ages. I have decided not to research anyone who is deceased as respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture of not saying the persons name. It would be wonderful to find a local person of note, so time to investigate...

I have thought of researching Sally Morgan, as I enjoyed reading her book "My Place" many years ago. I have done a little searching and found the below website, this could be my starting point, I wonder where it will take me?

Till next time, ttfn.