Learning Out Loud

  There Are Nowadays Professors of Philosophy, but not Philosophers The article “There are Nowadys Professor of Philosophy, but not Philosphers” by Pierre Hadort, challenges the idea that being a philosopher is just about thinking or teaching philosophy. He highlights Thoreau's claim that “there are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosophers”, meaning that people teach or write about philosophy but do not live it. To truly be a philosopher is to love wisdom enough to live simply and internationally, focusing on what is essential in life rather than chasing status, which some do. The article connects to my understanding of teaching and learning because it reminds me that education is not only about passing down information but about living the lessons we want to share. Thoreau’s experiment at Walden Pond shows that deep learning can come from reflection, nature and daily pratice, not just books or lectures. This is similar to my definition in my glossary for learning as...

  Teaching as Contemplative Professional Practice Thomas Falkenberg's article provides a lens on teaching as a mindful and reflective practice. He believes that teaching is not just about delivering content; it is a moral and personal journey. Falkenberg writes that teaching should be “done for the betterment of others,” which connects with my definition of teaching as a relationship-based practice that requires awareness of ourselves and our students. As the author puts it, “we indeed teach who we are, then we better get to know ourselves”(p.29).  While reading this, I reflected and thought about one of the first few lessons I felt during my practicums. One of the students was acting out during the lesson, and I found myself getting frustrated more easily than usual. I realized after the lesson that I was bringing stress from earlier in the day into the classroom, which was not fair. The moment of self-awareness helped me respond with more empathy when my student asked what w...

  When I first started creating my work definitions of innovation, creativity, teaching and learning, I didnt expect the process to be as eye-opening as it was. We began as a simple assignment turned into a reflective journey, where I not only explored the meaning og these concepts but also rediscovered what they mean to me as an educator and a lifelong learner. I truly enjoyed putting these definitions together because the four worlds forced me to pause, think deeply, and connect my personal experiences with researchers and best practices.  Innovation was the first concept I tackled, and it immediately made me think about action. I realized that having a creative idea is just a starting point. True innovation is about taking those ideas and bringing them to life in ways that create meaningful change. In my classroom, this might look like redesigning a lesson to engage my students better or trying a new tool that helps them learn more interactively. It reminded me that innovat...

Hello and welcome to my first blog post of the term! My name is Haley, and I am from Kitchener, Ontario. I have just finished my first year as a teacher. One thing that has defined my personal and professional journey so far is my deep love of learning and connection, which is why I decided to enroll in the PME program, as I wanted to continue my education. Where I work with young learners, collaborate with other educators, or reflect on my practices, I have always been driven by curiosity and a desire to connect ideas, people, and experiences. Growing up, I was the kind of person who always asked my parents "why" more times than anyone could count on one hand. I wanted to understand the process behind how things worked, so I could better comprehend the activities we were going to do. That same spirit is still within me today, which has led me into education, and most recently into the Professional Master's of Education program at Queens. What excites me most about this c...