An imperative part of the teaching profession is being able to critically reflect on the learning experiences and teaching practices carried out within the classroom. As an educator, this is achieved through ones critical thinking skills when analysing school data, student progress, behaviour management and much more.
According to UniLearning (2011, p.1) critical thinking is referred to as,
"the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skilfully conceptualising, applying, analysing, synthesising and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generalised by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning or communication, as a guide to belief or action”
The QCT professional standard 10, ‘commit to reflective practice and professional renewal’ indicates that graduates are required to use their critical thinking skills while planning and delivering learning experiences (QCOT, 2006). I would consider my critical thinking skills as a high to very high. During my internship, my mentor teachers concurred with this when stating
‘Jennah conducts herself professionally throughout all aspects of the teaching profession. Her reflections both written and orally discussed with her mentors informs her teaching practice. Jennah has become quite flexible in her approach to her teaching, both with her planning and teaching. She has no qualms when it comes to changing set planning, when it is required to better suit the needs of the classroom and the students’ (Lamb, Personal communication, 2011).
‘It has been a pleasure working with a student who displays enthusiasm for teaching and learning. She always takes our discussion and advice, reflects on this and incorporates this into her planning, and has become quite flexible in the delivery of her lessons. Her observations are insightful and reflective and together with her planning show that she is committed to professional ethics and protocols (Roberts, Personal Communication, 2011).
I have also received numerous comments about my critical thinking skills when writing university assessment pieces. These include
‘Your ability to critically reflect on your own experiences is clearly evident, great work’ (Blaney, Personal Communications 2009).
‘Glad to see you have demonstrated that you are committed to ensuring your students are involved in high quality learning experiences by reflecting on the observations you have gathered from your mentor teacher’ (McKee, Personal Communication, 2010).
