Learning to Teach

Reflective Practice

Walking the Line: A Critical Reflection on Tutor-Learner Dynamics

This reflection captures my back-and-forth struggle with some common practices and discourses within literacy. Our relationships with learners, and their inherent power dynamics, imply some high-stakes ethical questions. Here, I challenge myself and others to consider the implications for learners when we begin to engage with them as tutors and as people. See the document here. (PDF)

Two – A poem (PDF)

Discussion Papers by Ningwakwe (April 2007):

(All files are in PDF)

• Discussion Paper # 1 - The Learner: a Whole Person
• Discussion Paper # 2 - Literacy: Inspiring Hope
• Discussion Paper # 3 - Locus of Control
• Discussion Paper # 4 - Helping Learners Find Their Voice
• Discussion Paper # 5 - The Successes and Impacts of Literacy Programming

You Can Teach an Old Dog New (Magic) Tricks - by Fay Holt Begg

“Outside the Box” card series

1. What kinds of groups do you have in your programs?
2. Did you know that many learners in literacy programs have experienced volence?
3. Think of 5 ways to bring music into your program
4. What forms can violence take?
5. Did you know?
6. Thomas Merton on violence
7. Do the resources in your program reflect diversity?
8. How safe, comfortable and inviting is your space?
9. Why have a women's group?
10. Like canaries in the mine
11. Resources in your community
12. Social justice
13. Low self-esteem can be a barrier to learning
14. What kinds of 'human resources' do you have in your program?
15. How do learners access resources in your community?
16. Racism
17. Exploring violence always brings up the issue of power
18. Education is not neutral
19. But I'm not a therapist
20. Who is invisible in your community?
21. How to say no
22. Listening can make a world of difference
23. What would you do if...?
24. Helping learners heal from trauma/deal with crises
25. Creativity can help with healing
26. How safe is your program?
27. Making learners feel safe
28. Confidentiality
29. Mind, Body, Emotions, Spirit
30. Hidden Impacts of Trauma
31. How safe are your files?
32. Dealing with issues of power between staff and learners
33. Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
34. Disclosures and counselling
35. What kinds of art activities do you have in your program?
36. Have you considered creative activities for groups?
37. Resources for learners about the impacts of violence on learning.
38. Building communities of resistance
39. Learn more about violence and learning
40. Your personal space