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- The Sustainable Development Goal that I have chosen to focus on is goal 13, Climate Action. This is an issue that has affected children both at a local and global level. It has a direct, and in some instances profound, impact on children’s access to education and indeed overall wellbeing. In recent years in Ireland it has been worrying to witness the increased frequency and severity of the extreme and adverse weather events, alot of which have resulted in school closures. Exceptional closures due to Red weather warnings are a near yearly occurrence of late. To inspire action the 2nd National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development to 2030 should be utilised. The ESD empowers learners with knowledge, skills,values and attitudes to take informed decisions and make responsible actions for environmental integrity, economic viability and a fair society and as consequence empowering people of all genders etc. I have always been a believer in leading by example when teaching the children and to teach them about Climate Action I have to date and will continue to model simple but effective strategies. For example in the Green Schools initiative the children witness me reducing, reusing and recycling myself in the classroom.
I have also observed and agree that great work and progress has been made in recent years in an effort to address the long established gender stereotypes and hope that this will continue.
Throughout my 19 years teaching I have indeed observed the presence of gender stereotypes in the classroom. One example is during STEM lessons I have noticed girls don’t have the same confidence in engaging in activities initially and need more encouragement. In saying this I thankfully believe that gender stereotypes are somewhat diminishing, albeit there is alot of work still to be done. It is of utmost importance as educators to continue this great progress in breaking down gender stereotypes. Traditionally there were boys toys and girls toys but thankfully this I believe is no longer the case. Of course at times girls might gravitate towards certain toys and vice versa and that’s ok. However children should never be made to feel certain toys/activities are only for a certain cohort. They need to be exposed to all types of toys/activities regardless of gender and no barriers/restrictions put in place. One of the many quotes that stands out for me from Emma Watson’s powerful UN speech in New York was If not me, who? If not now, when? Now is the time to make the change, not in the future. We need to instill a belief in the children in our care that anything is possible, regardless of gender. I’m possible! Not impossible.
I found The Role of Global Citizens in Todays World an informative and useful read. It highlights numerous important and key issues relating to the role of development education. As educators we play a vital role in guiding the children in our care to think and act as global citizens, promoting an equal, sustainable and peaceful world for all, which is in essence the aim of Irish Aid set up in 1974. Developing global citizenship from an early age is key and it has been a privilege to say that I have played my part in helping to guide 19 different groups of children to date , and hopefully numerous more , through active learning and leading by good example in the classroom. Monkey does what monkey sees comes to mind as I consider ways that I lead by good example for the children I teach e.g. recycling, equal treatment of all, encouraging active involvement in a number of initiatives such as Green Schools.
