Teacher Working Within a Global Dimension

This element of the resource attempts to address the role of the student teacher in being aware and responsive to the challenges of living and working in a multi ethnic and multi lingual community within a global dimension and also preparing young people more effectively for life in the 21st century.

This runs in parallel with the legal framework set out in legislation including Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 (RRAA 2005), Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA 2001), Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA 2005) and Every Child matters 2003 (ECM 2003). It is to be noted that all schools have a responsibility to promote and celebrate diversity.

This section seeks to encourage student teachers to start from who they perceive themselves to be and broaden this out globally. Each student teacher must have their own values system challenged within the confines of a safe and secure environment. They need constant opportunities to discuss and reflect on their prejudices and stereotypical views. This will empower them when facing overt and covert prejudice in school and the community.

This unit focuses on six strands which are fundamental in allowing this process to begin. The headings are:

• Celebrating Diversity;
• Who are we?
• Am I a Global Citizen?
• Citizenship: Rights or Responsibilities;
• Social justice, Equity and Human Rights;
• Teaching For a Sustainable Future.

The ideas listed above are to be viewed as a starting point for student teachers to continue to explore and build on their own developing understanding of diversity within and outside of their own communities. This is set against a backdrop of the ever changing Education agenda including ECM, workforce remodelling and the notion of teachers being new professionals.

• Celebrating Diversity

• Am I a Global Citizen?

• Citizenship, Rights or Responsibilities?

• Social Justice, Equity and Human Rights

• Teaching for a Sustainable Future

• Who are we?