Category: Mission Statement

Section A: Personal Reflection. Brainstorming

Powerful Quotes that I live by

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”

Angela Y. Davis

I live by this quote because it challenges me to speak out when I witness injustices, to stand up for what you believe in and to never allow yourself to be silenced by anyone or anything.

Sometimes when you’re in a dark place you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.”

Christine Caine

I live by this quote because i have lived through many hardships where it feels like it is the end and there’s no way of rising up. Discovering this quote made me realize that sometimes life and situations are not always what they appear to be. It’s not the end, it’s just the start of a new beginning.

We all go through life, with different struggles. The biggest lesson I’ve learnt in testing times is to GROW through whatever happens. There is always a lesson.

“Grow through what you go through.” reminds me that I life, you can never stop learning and when you are learning you are growing and growth is change. The Christine Caine quote affirms that where there is darkness, there is infact light a

nd that you should have that hope and positivity to help you see that, that improving my psychological being. Angela Davis’s quote is assertive and keeps me on the path of my Marla’s and values. these quotes help me with the decisions I make in life, helping me to determine if my actions are right or wrong and they guide me throughout many aspects of my life. My relationships with people , myself and with life.

B) Scriptural writing

My spirituality is incredibly important to me because it fuels every single day of my life.it took a long time to get where I am in terms of my faith and the road that lies ahead is also long. Finding my faith after trauma’s in my life, has been difficult but I get up every morning because I have hope and because God is giving me another day to witness his creations and to feel his love. These scriptures are my favorite and I live by them daily. This has relative to my spiritual/ethical being because what I believe in ideally helps shape my world, my opinions as also influences who I socialize with.

D) Photo of an important relationship in your life

Although this relationship no longer exists in life, it lives on in my heart and memories. My late father, is my first love. This picture was taken when I was younger on a family night out in cape town. I value what our relationship was because it has helped me grow over the years. Looking at this picture allows me to feel whatever i felt when with my father, be it joy or peace just as displayed in the image. I wake up everyday, grateful and live my best life in honor of my father.

This source has relevance to my social and emotional being. My late father was and still is a huge inspiration to me. He taught me how to develop myself socially , emotionally and most importantly intellectually. One of the many lessons that he constantly reaffirmed to me was that I should never settle for less that what I am worth. The life he lived set the bar and tone , for the life I would like to live.

E. Picture of an important person in my life

I chose this picture of Nomzamo Mbatha, a South African celebrity and actress because she means a lot to me, as I draw incredible amounts of inspiration , strength and wisdom from her. Nomzamo, has a very special place in my heart and I’m blessed to know her personally. This specific picture was from the day of her UCT graduation in 2018. Nomzamo has dropped out years back but decided to get back into it and pursue her dreams even whilst traveling abroad. Nomzamo had the words ‘resilience.’ ‘Courage.’ ‘Overcome’ and honored her loved ones who have since departed by having photos of them on her beautiful dress. Nomzamo as a mental health advocate had the number for the South African depression and anxiety group on her dress and also dedicated to her baby sister, Carla who committed suicide in 2014. She has helped a lot in life, through her story and through knowing her. I have become more loving, compassionate and resilient as a result of Nomzamo’s teachings. “It could be worse. It’s going to get better” are one of the few pearls of wisdom Nomzamo shared with me and till this day, I tell myself that every morning.

As someone who is an empath, I can easily feel the emotions of others, as my own. Knowing Nomzamo personally, affects my emotional level even more. Many elements of the image are relatable. It made me remember the loved ones I’ve lost , equally as much as it affirmed the path I am on and made me optimistic about the possibilities life holds. I feel many emotions looking at this picture and that’s what I personally love about it, it’s able to evoke different emotions out of me. I am also made socially aware of mental health through her symbolic dress.

G. Any other images ( who I an & my beliefs)

• I am a feminist
• I stand for equality
• I am an aspiring activist
• I believe in human rights
• I believe in speaking up and out
• I believe that the truth holds power
• I believe that our voices are important
• I believe in the voice of the youth
• I advocate for the youth
• I LOVE my family
• I love good company
• I love poetry
• I am Social
• I am always growing
• I am constantly learning
• I am becoming

These are some images that share a snippet of who I am , what feeds my soul and what I believe in. They affect all aspect of my levels/beings in good ways.

Consider yourself a SA/ world citizen

My beliefs and morals are upheld in this image. I chose it because I believe in human rights. My role as a citizen of the world and my country is to know my rights, to never violate anyone’s rights and to uphold my own rights and those of others. I strive in my everyday life to call out an injustice, because I do see them on a daily basis. You can never trivialize people’s pain that comes off of the unfair treatment towards them, whether it be on a institutional, structural, societal or social level.

Being black and a woman in the world we live in, isn’t easy. You experience racism and sexism and violence may come with it. My own life experiences that surround my identity have affected my ethical behavior and social outlook on life. I have felt socially excluded before because of who I am, outside of my control and therefore I am forced to know ethics because of situations that have occurred in my life.

J. My causes in life on social and economic issues

This picture represents one of my hearts greatest joys and my life’s biggest purpose .Last year in October, My organization hosted a group of 30-40 underprivileged girls for international day of the girl child, founded by the United Nations. The agenda of the day was to create a safe space where all the girls and my team could interact and engage whilst being empowered and motivated to be the best version of themselves. My cause is feminism, social and economical, it is to empower and uplift those who are a disadvantaged , affirm them that they hold power within and that they are seen and heard. For my 2019 agenda, I will focus on education and the factors that surround it.

My organization and the events I plan under it, are directly linked to my cognitive being. In order to do what I do, you need to know what is is you want to address and what matters. I have had to research copious amounts of information to be successful at what I do. I have a deep level of cognitive thinking because in order to pursue these desires, I have to plan, type emails and prepare sponsorship documents etc — My cognitive understanding of the world around me has developed rapidly because I have had to understand the issues we have and find solutions for them and tremendous growth has come out of it.

Mission Statement

This quote has changed and transformed my life in the best ways. I have learned that everybody will go through struggles in life and what differentiates is, is what we do differently to handle them. I am not putting energy into situations that will only take me backwards but I will rather use that energy to move forward and make sure I have learned a lesson. I have used this quote to help me with my emotional intelligence and to determine what really matters in my life, specifically for 2019.

Physically I am working on my health, fitness and physique.I am going to work on my body language, accept new life experiences, resting/ sleeping more. I am working to reach a point where I feel whole in my body, where my body feels like a home and not just a space I’m renting. I don’t subscribe to beauty standards because I find they’re discriminatory or impossible but rather I aim to have a good relationship with my body and to achieve that I am exercising , eating healthy and keeping hydrated in order for my body to produce the results I would like. Self care, is self love so taking care of my body is my way to show myself love and to appreciate it. I am continuously striving for my own goals, based on my own race and pace. With that, my ultimate goal is to have a peaceful and stable emotional and mental state and to accept myself as I am , therefore my physical goals are closely linked with my emotional and cognitive goals.

Emotionally I am working to express my emotions better to those I love and to embrace the imperfect moments. I consider myself emotionally strong because of the loses in my life and I have become better for it. I am adaptable and I rise from setbacks easier. believe in vulnerability which is closely linked to my emotional state because you cannot heal what you don’t reveal. As an emotionally intelligent and empathetic person, my emotional being is critical because it gives me a greater understanding of people and the life around me. As an emotional empath, I have the ability to feel what others feel ranging from lightly to intensely so this means that I have to be able to differentiate my feelings from the feelings of people around me. It is rather difficult because my moods don’t necessarily stay consistent and before I knew this of myself, it didn’t make sense. However, it is a learning process and I am happy to grow myself emotionally through it because it is apart of who I am.

Socially I am going to be in the moment, handle situations better, broaden my horizons and be open to change. I am socially confident and conscious of myself and the world around me however I can always strive to be even better. I am going to travel, adapt and accept to things that may come my way. I am going to integrate with people from different countries, ethnic cues, culture ties and heritages because I believe life is more effective and stimulating when you surround yourself with people who are different from you and this will allow you to gain more social awareness. I am going to do more work with my organization to fix and alleviate social issues that I care about such as poor education and women’s rights. I also find myself to be a paradox, sometimes so while I love people and going out, social interactions are draining so I am working on becoming more balanced socially. I also would like to reach a stage where I can be a great public speaker because that is my true passion and I want to be known for it.

Spiritually I will align myself with my beliefs and I will go to church and read the Bible more. My religion would identify as Christian however I believe in having a relationship with God because anyone can follow a religion just for the sake of it. God is my confidant and my friend so when things look bad for me I want to be able to go to God first, that’s the type of relationship I am working to achieve through going to church, having conversations about God with people and reading the Bible or a faith based book.

I will be present in every moment life gives me, I am going to strive and succeed in life, if I put my mind to it. I am going to be vulnerable and allow the change that comes with it, in order to best express myself. I am going to accept my body the way it is and work to get the body I desire. I am a blessed and highly favored being who will use my position of influence to help and fight for the rights of disadvantaged youth. I am compassionate, loving and strong. I will constantly and continuously work on creating myself and learn everyday.

My mission is a state, it is creating, expanding and evolving just as I am.

Section C: Company mission statement

Clover

Our Mission

To reach the group’s widely dispersed customers daily, and to provide trusting consumers with quality products through our extensive network. We take care to develop or acquire brands that have the potential to occupy the number one or two position in its chosen segments. To focus on way better operations across the supply chain including services to the trade, and to deliver sustainable shareholder value by being a responsible corporate citizen and preferred employer.

• A ) This mission statement is very effective because the language used is simple and easy to understand. Clover aims to communicate with its consumers and customers which shows their commitment and dedication to building a relationship. Clovers main points are about delivering good service, being an active corporate citizen and to reach a wide audience.
• B) This mission statement resonates with South Africans customers because clover is not an exclusive brand, it is affordable , they want to develop and help other smaller brands to reach their full potential and they strive to make their products accessible on a broad scale to all South Africans. The statement also implies that they care about social issues that would fall under their corporate social responsibility hence they want to be a responsible Corporate citizen.
• C) Clover upholds the value of : having a good relationship with its customers, consumers at large and being responsible towards the corporate world. They state that they will achieve this by providing quality products, deliver sustainable shareholder value and improve their trade and services.
• D) Yes. Clover produces and supplies what majority of the world consumes ( dairy) and food, so it makes it a global need and want. In their mission statement they mention delivery quality products through an extensive network, which implies how they are set on reaching audiences in the world.

Referencing

1. Clover South Africa. https://www.clover.co.za/about/business-overview/
2. Legal bites https://www.legalbites.in/regional-conventions-on-human-rights/
3. Pinterest https://www.google.co.za/amp/s/www.pinterest.com/amp/pin/374221050260247612/, https://www.google.co.za/amp/s/www.pinterest.com/amp/pin/302937512415268093/, https://www.google.co.za/amp/s/www.pinterest.com/amp/pin/207658232798836352/
4. Redbubble https://www.redbubble.com/people/fabfeminist/works/27353031-grow-through-what-you-go-through?p=art-print
5. Wayfair https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdx/wallums-wall-decor-jeremiah-2911-wall-decal-wwdr1227.html

“To promote a safe secure environment for children to play and explore both the inside and outside spaces, to foster friendships and working with others within a group with no labels on ability.’ – My mission statement.

This is my own personal mission statement. Although I am only on the first step of the ladder to becoming a teacher, this mission statement reflects my view on what I feel would be the ‘ideal’ school, the reasons why I will go throughout the course of this essay.

I have chosen these three aspects of education, as a trainee teacher am I am under the illusion these aspects enhance education, that there is evidence to support use within the classroom. From teaching practice and policy, I feel that they often get overlooked. Higgins argues that ‘for the instrumentalist, life is simply getting by’ (2008, p.9) so with this ideology in mind, it is hard to see a place for these aspects within this ideology. Likewise, the classical humanist view also emphasizes ‘academic curriculum in which classics, history, mathematics, grammar, and literature predominate.’ (Carr, 1998 p.327).

I view my role as a teacher as something to make a difference to peoples lives, rather than assess them and to put them in boxes.I feel it fits into the constructivist ideology. I disagree with The classical humanist view of ‘to describe learning as being of intrinsic worth, provided it falls within an accepted subject discipline’ (Bates et al 2006 p119) Tahirsylaj uses the term ‘social Darwinism’ (2017, P.223) which I feel applies to classical humanism, this saddens me as they take away the joy and wonder that education should provide. Higgins argues that ‘for the instrumentalist, life is simply getting by’ (2008, p.9) I feel that these ideologies don’t factor in happiness. It is all well and good creating a productive, intelligent member of society but what is the point if that individual is unhappy and understimulates, develops vices and ultimately fulfills their role within society and dies. I see little point in this cycle unless there are periods of happiness highlighting my belief for social change. Reay in 2016 suggested that in the UK poverty was still a problem, (p.288) which I assume is trying to convey a message of reconstructionism ideology, with poverty comes depression and low quality of life, I feel outdoor education can play a big role in improving quality of life. ‘A progressive ideology is the notion of student or learner autonomy, students will be empowered to enable them to take more control of their own learning and their own lives’ (Bates et al 2006 p118). The keyword that draws me to this ideology is empowers, through empowering children we can help them help themselves, rather than telling them what they need to do, it allows them freedom to make up their own minds, views and ultimately have some control over their futures, which the National curriculum states ‘prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.’ (DFE 2014, p. 5). I base my whole teacher ethos on this statement.

‘To miss the forest because one is focusing on the trees’ (p.2 Quay and Seaman) rephrased a quote by Dewey talking about the purpose of education supported by the classical humanist ideology often education becomes narrow minded and misses the bigger picture, such as a concentration and government pressure on results often caused by the league tables and ultimately money. The classical humanist ‘formal examinations.’ (Carr, 1998 p.327) Can often become the teacher’s focus, with SATS pressures on performance within the classroom on the teacher.

My mission statement refers to inside and outside spaces. I feel that from my teaching practices one of the most important spaces learning took place was outside Michael Gove 2012, quoted in stated that we lived in an ‘unequal society’ (https://www-dawsonera-com.ezproxy.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/readonline/9781447339298 ). One of the equalities I feel can be tackled in school is access to the outdoors; During a teaching placement, I was saddened to find out children within the class had not had the freedom of splashing in muddy puddles. In 2012 White found evidence that ‘mediated outdoor experiences can improve global self-concept, trust, group cohesion, and improved social interactions with peers, school staff, and family members.’ (P.21) Bandura suggests that popularity can increase with a ‘high sense of academic and self refulative efficacy’ (1993, p.138). so this is another area of development being outside can have an influence on. This reiterates my view of how important making use of this outside space is. I have however had the extreme of children who spend dusk to dawn following the local hunt on a Saturday. I still believe that being outside is an experience all children are entitled to. James and Williams suggest that although it doesn’t often get dedicated time within the classroom, learning outdoors can be beneficial to the child and even help children who struggle within the classroom environment. (2017,p.59).

By going outdoors it is widening the learning of the child, this clashes with the Classical humanist view of valuing subjects that add to ‘cultural heritage’ such as maths and literacy, however there is nothing to say that these subjects can not take place within this different environment, however in a classical humanist classroom this is something that wouldn’t happen as ‘Learning is systematic, disciplined and largely book-based.’ (Carr, 1998 p.327)

There is, however, an inequality described by Warren et al in American outdoor education, there is issues with different races feeling excluded and the notion that gender can play a part in exclusion in outdoor education, (p.90- 91 2014) although this study did not take place in the UK there is still the stereotype that is well represented in the nursery rhyme ‘slugs and snails and puppy dog tail.. that’s what little boys are made of’ giving the illusion that outdoors is more commonly associated with boys and therefore not entirely equal.

Although I originally felt that outdoor learning had a more reconstructivist ideology but due to the gender bias highlighted by Warren et al (2014) it suggests that it is not about social justice for all, Reconstructionists ‘believed in the power of education to renew and transform society.’ (p.623, 2017 Tahirsylaj ) as there is still a slight hint at a gender bias in this aspect of education, so I feel it is a more progressive ideology. Although it has been suggested that the two are linked, Mosier argues that Progressivism is ‘vague’ and reconstructivism has arisen from this ideology but reconstructivism ‘furthering and extending this philosophy’ (Mosier, 1951, p.86). I feel that through forest schools you can promote some social change, help open doors for people and empower people. This links back to the progressive ‘empower’ (Bates et al 2006 p118).

This aspect does clash with the instrumentalist ideology of ‘The student who scores well on standardized tests and goes on to earn well in standardized jobs’. (Higgins 2008 p.11) as there is no assessment or standardized jobs to come out of this learning experience.

My mission statement refers to mixed ability groups, this is something I feel is important, by using mixed ability groupings the children don’t have a label (DWECK) By the children not having a label on their ability, contested by Harris suggested the classical humanist provides a core curriculum, focusing on what is valuable in their cultural heritage for elite pupils. (1977 p. 50).

My mission statement emphasizes friendship and mixed ability groupings, both encapture the notion of inclusion, something I encountered on teaching placements and I feel should underpin my teacher identity. Looking at this though the ideology of reconstructaionsim, I feel promoting acceptance of others can help provide social change and a better future for these children, It does also come under the progressive idea of empowerment.

By using mixed ability groups Vygotsky (1934/1986, 1978) and Piaget (1951). Quoted in Sawyer Et AL p.260 ‘These theorists both suggest that when students work together, they exchange ideas, engage in debate, and make logical arguments in support of their respective positions’. http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=8&sid=87dd748a-7fb0-4025-94db-2ffde6de35f0%40sessionmgr4009

it promotes the idea of togetherness, as poverty is still a problem I feel by children all being the ‘same’ It could help them not live up to their label, promoting social change. Green (1990) quoted in Reay (2006) suggested that England used schooling to keep control over the less well-off groups. (p.292) This stance is echoed by Florian and Black suggest that a school’s policy may make it hard for teachers to use ‘alternate groupings’ (2011, p.819) I feel this suggests that the policy put in place can create inequality for children, that this is an example of classical humanist view of education for the elite can subtly get in the way of everyday practice. I feel that these two quotes suggest the Reconstrutavist ideology of education as the highlight a need for social change. With the argument by Reay highlighting in 2006, that children from middle-class backgrounds had a higher chance to stay in education past 16. (p.291) it is important to make sure all children have the same chances in life, It does not give a reason, such as parental influence but it could be lack of support at home, it does not necisaarianly mean it’s a failing by the educational system.

By using mixed groups it is challenging the view of what Harris suggested the classical humanist idea of education elite pupils. (1977 p. 50) using mixed ability groups is taking away the ‘top group’ elitist attitude from the classroom, it is putting everyone on the same level and promoting equality and inclusion of all, regardless of background. As Reay argues against the classical humanist view and suggested that ‘class is made and given value through culture’ (2006, p.290) this argues my viewpoint of equality if class is given though society, surely it is a synthetic problem and can easily be dispelled. I feel this comes under the reconstructive ideology of promoting social change.

However, Jackson and Marsden( 1962), quoted Smyth (2016 argue that class could be ‘something in the blood’ (p.275) so in terms of promoting social mobility, from this viewpoint, it is something you are born with.

Glazzard argues that inclusion is about social justice and ‘high aspirations for all’ (2013, p.183) thus putting it within the Reconstructionism ideology, which I feel my mission statement echoed.

An instrumentalist view of people becoming a workforce further alienates SEN children, Glazzard highlighted that children who cant take part in society in a entrapaneral way are being treated in a less equal way (2013, p.184) however Reay suggested that we have an education system that ‘working class education is made to serve middle-class interests’ (2006 p.294) suggesting that the educational system we have now is both instrumentalist and classical humanism ideologies. I feel as a teacher inclusion is one of the most important elements to have in the classroom.

However using same ability goupings can encapture the classical humanist ideology, In making my argument balanced I can see the pros of this ideology, It provides motivation to be the best what Richmond describes as when the child has a ‘desire for personal growth’ and ‘intrinsic motivation’ (259 ) This would work best with higher attainers.I am cautious though that the classical humanist ideology of traditional elite education does, in fact suggest that ‘here is also a tendency to describe learning as being of intrinsic worth, provided it falls within an accepted subject discipline… these criteria of classical humanist education’ (Bates et al 2006 p119). Through reflecting on this, I do feel that in terms of low ability children, mixed groups are a fantastic opportunity for behavior to be modeled by higher ability children and a chance to make use of Vygotsky (reference) the more knowledgeable other, linking to the reconstructivist and progressive view.

In my limited teaching experience, I did find that children who were in the higher groups on the whole were better behaved and therefore would stay on task longer. Blass et al talk about the idea of like-minded people wanting to stick together, ‘the desire to study with others of a similar background’ (2011, p.6). I got the impression from this article that they had a problem with the neoliberal society we are in currently and how it causes problems such as social isolation, backing up my argument for the inclusion of all children.

I feel that Hill and Reas are highlighting the reconstructive ideology and the need to behave in this way. By using mixed ability groups, you can promote this inclusive culture.

‘Instrumentalism denotes a view of the curriculum that makes reference to a future state of affairs for the learner which is external to the setting in which the learning is taking place.’(Scott http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=473a0646-966a-4ae0-b7aa-1fe576d5e0c2%40sessionmgr4006 p.19) By promoting collaborative learning, you are promoting social skills, these social skills could help the learner in the future. However, Wible suggests that ‘instrumentalists are not concerned with the truth’ (2001, p.1050).

The Instrumentalist view that ‘schools must impart the information and skills that will be useful later in life.’ (Higgins 2008 p.11) I do consider, because long-term the child will go out and get a job, however as discussed earlier play is a recognized and researched way of learning.

My mixed ability emphasis is drawn form a passion for inclusion, I do feel that it is very easy to become dissalusioned and bitter with policy, however policy is written by well-educated people (article) these well-educated people are often from Oxbridge universitys, but I feel its too much of an assumption to consider that these policies are written in a classical humanist mindset, I do however have it lingering at the back of my mind that policy is written by people who are the sucessful product of the educational system, so the barriers to education that they consider are not first hand. Blass et al suggest that it might not be a onesize fits all outlook to education, they empasise how life can differ in a deprived are and they suggest policy should ‘meet local needs’ (2011 p.15) I feel that policy can also exclude children who are SEND Glazzard also suggests that If a SEN child has failure, it can often be blamed on the child, not the system (p.183, 2013 The green paper (2011 DfES) , quited in glazzard, 2013, that ‘over identification of SEN.. then excuses failure’ (p.185)) am aware that after reading Glazzards other work, often he looks at ideas in a ‘whistleblowing’ stance, I do feel that this is true, that the education system is, in fact, a system run for often a more sinsister profit (instrumentalist) and political agenda (Classical Humanist) . I do feel that often issues such as poverty are ‘glossed over’ although there are provisions put in place to help these children.

My mission statement emphasizes ‘playing’. During my teaching placements I did struggle for time, to make sure every subject got a fair amount of coverage, I did notice what I taught was pre-planned by the other school and most of it was worksheet based. With the suggestion that ‘curriculum .. is being sanitized’ (rikowski, 2008 in Hill, n.d p.28), I did notice that there was little emphasis on the children having time to play. I found the age group I had the most flexibility with was the reception. As a teacher, I relished in the fact I could set up small worlds and areas for these children to play in. During my placement, I saw an importance of play in the children’s learning. Atkinson et al (n.d p.20) suggest that the evidence for the impact play has on a child’s development is well established. Vygotsky believed that ‘play creates the zone of proximal development of the child.’ (https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1138861.pdf ) and Friedrich Froebel (1782- 1852) referenced in, ‘(p.622 Tahirsylaj, A. (2017) ‘pushed for play-based learning’.

I saw this often in the form of role play. The children would take on the role of a parent or pretend to be an elf in the Santa’s grotto I had created.

Looking at this within the ideologies of education I feel it reflects the progressive ideology.

Instrumentalism can make children with SEND ‘redundant’ (:Oasodpi and Svenson, 2014 p.785) Glazzard suggested that the neoliberal society we live in marginalizes children who can’t follow what is expected of them by society (p.183 2013) as they could be overlooked in a society that values performance over the person (liasidou and Svensson 2014 p.785) I feel its more and more important to make sure education makes children happy and feel valued and safe. Though using play, it becomes accessible for all children, it’s a time of worry-free, no pressure and a time for them to learn and enjoy themselves.

Ken Robinson, et al, quoted in Tomlzii and Topala suggested that there needed to be ‘ a new balance in teaching and curriculum’ (2014,p.387) although this was before the new, 2014 curriculum. The new balance suggests that there should be time for other things, which you can assume could be play. Although play is important to children and their development, Frank, suggested that although progressive teaching is seen as allowing children to become successful ‘across their schooling career’ (p.48 frank 2015).

However during my teaching placements, there have been times where I have fallen into the Classical humanist idea of creating what , Tomlzii and Topala talk call a ‘homo encyclopedius’ (2014, p.587) when learning spellings and times tables, the way the school got the children to learn them was through rote learning, the children could superficially recall the facts but struggled to apply them. On reflection, I think I would struggle to teach in a way that totally excluded the classical humanist ideology.

In conclusion, I feel I can see the importance of all the ideologies, they are all very important to be considered, I do find my mission statement more along the progressive ideology. I do however admire the Classical humanist because it puts education on the red carpet, it makes you want to be the best, however, the inclusive teacher in me, despises the fact at how elite and exclusive it is.

On the other hand, I feel I have an affinity to reconstructivist because it gives the illusion that teachers can change the world, within this idea it would be amazing to give everyone the best chance they can have, promote social change and become a superhero, yet policy and practicality stand in the way. This is reflected in my mission statement.

Realistically for society to function we need people to be intelligent and go to university to add to the economy, a very instrumentalist view but aligning with classical humanism if university wasn’t ‘elite’ then who would do the manual jobs nobody else wanted to do, like clean toilets and pick litter.

I feel it is a fine balance that makes the country work as it does, and although it would be in the children’s interests to make them all super intelligent I feel the most important part of schooling is for the child to be happy, so with that in mind, I feel the progressive ideology is now the one I feel has the best fit for my mission statement.