“Learning is reflexive. It builds upon itself, exponentially increasing as learners develop new knowledge and deeper understandings of how everything is ultimately connected” (Chrona, 2014). This quote resonated with me because at the beginning of this program, which was only two months ago, I could not have imagined how much and how quickly my perspective on education would shift. My understanding of the significance of Indigenous education has deepened immensely. I am learning how to include Indigenous education into lessons and subjects beyond just social studies. Not simply by reading excerpts from a textbook or worksheets but by bringing in guest speakers or engaging in culturally responsive activities. I am beginning to understand that this job is far more complex than simply following the curriculum. It requires constant reflection, adaptability and it is a commitment to continuously fight for a better tomorrow.
I have seen the First Peoples Principles of Learning (FPPL) posters in classrooms before; however, I had never taken the time to fully understand their significance. Exploring them in class has given me a better understanding as to why they exist, and I have been able to connect these principles to my experiences thus far in my observational practicum.
While at Annunciation, the independent Catholic school, I noticed how the school has a strong relationship with the students’ families. They demonstrate this by sending home updates in students’ planners every day. Staff at the school explained how the families are very involved at the school and with their children’s learning. I connected this with the FPPL that emphasizes learning is relational and involving family in the learning process. I am not sure whether Annunciation does this purposefully, as Indigenous education does not seem to be a focus as the school, but it was an interesting connection to make.
The article “The Transient Information Effect” (Sachdeva, Hewitt, 2025) helped me develop a deeper understanding of how my brain processes information. I have always found that I need some form of a visual to go with a lecture to help process the information more effectively. When giving instructions to students, if it is done orally, most students will not be able to remember all the steps and will often have to ask for a reminder. However, if the instructions are written on the whiteboard while also being explained verbally, students can continuously refer to them to reinforce their understanding (Sachdeva, Hewitt, 2025).
Dr. John Sweller explains that when students are learning something new or complex, that the information should be shared in a permanent way rather than a transient way (Sachdeva, Hewitt, 2025). This is something I plan to incorporate in my future classroom by always providing a physical reference of instructions so that my students won’t be without access to the information they need to support their learning.
In EDUC 393 we had Kate Lyon as a guest speaker. She gave a presentation on building background knowledge and vocabulary. One of the topics she discussed was read-alouds and their importance in supporting student learning. This discussion brought to light the many benefits of this activity. I have always loved reading, and I know that reading continuously expands my vocabulary, however, I have never thought of incorporating reading into subjects such as science by using a narrative non-fiction book (Lyon, 2025).
In my previous experience of working with middle school students, it never occurred to me that I could still use books in this way to teach that age group. Using stories to help support instruction can help lower the cognitive load and increase students’ vocabulary (Lyon, 2025). This approach also aligns with one of the First Peoples Principles of Learning, that learning is embedded in memory, history, and story. This connection reinforces the importance of storytelling, that it can be used in all ages, and it is a tool to make learning more culturally responsive and engaging.
In EDUC 446, we watched a TED Talk by Rebecca Thomas about Two-Eyed Seeing. This video resonated with me as my family is Mi’kmaq, and although I feel a disconnection to that part of my identity, this video had given me a sense of familiarity. The message of the talk is centred on Etuaptmumk, the Mi’kmaq way of learning to see from two perspectives. The idea is combining the two perspectives, one being Indigenous knowledge and the other being Western knowledge, to create a more holistic understanding of the world (TEDx, 2016).
In a colonized society that is trying to work towards reconciliation, I think Two-Eyed Seeing is a good beginning approach. It allows for multiple perspectives, while respecting Indigenous knowledge systems. As a future educator, Two-Eyed Seeing reminds me of the importance of creating an environment that acknowledges diverse ways of knowing and that they are valued while still focusing on the inclusion of Indigenous education.
As each week passes, I find myself not only understanding myself more, but I am also starting to see an outline of the future educator I aspire to be. I am recognizing the practices that I want to incorporate in my classroom, the environment that I hope to foster and the relationships I want to create with my students. During our practicums, I have been able to see how the different educational philosophies can be used in different scenarios, although I am still having to refer to my notes to see which characteristics correspond to which philosophy. I am excited to keep learning, not only in our classroom, but in the school district and my community.
References
Chrona, J. (2014) “Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place)”: First Peoples Principles of Learning. https://firstpeoplesprinciplesoflearning.wordpress.com
Lyon, K. (2025) Building Background Knowledge and Vocabulary [Slides]. Canva
Sachdeva, N. Hewitt, J. (2025, August 13.) The Transient Information Effect: Why Great
Explanations Don’t Always Stick. The Science of Learning. https://scienceoflearning.substack.com/p/the-transient-information-effect
TEDx Talks. (2016, June 13). Etuaptmumk: Two-Eyed Seeing | Rebecca Thomas [Video].
Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA9EwcFbVfg