Page 22 - Exploring the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession through Anishinaabe Art

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS
The Standard of Professional Practice Reflect on the following description of the artist’s painting which honours and celebrates
the standard of Professional Practice and then respond to the professional inquiry questions:
Artist's Reflection
The teacher has taught the students well and evaluates and assesses the students’ growth and development by facilitating unique learning opportunities and communicating with them.
In the Anishinaabe culture, the eagle (migisi) is considered to be the highest spiritual form of the animal and is highly respected. The flying eagle depicted in this painting represents the Standard of Practice for the Teaching Profession – Professional Practice.
The teacher, embedded in the eagle, has gained all knowledge of Professional Practice. The teacher has become the eagle and is carrying the four students in its wings for protection, caring and love. The teacher and the students are all connected. This medicine representation, in the Anishinaabe culture, is important. Each student represents the four medicine wheel colours which also symbolize the four ethical standards: black for Respect, white for Integrity, red for Care, and yellow for Trust.
The eagle’s tail feathers and wings are equipped with all knowledge of Professional Practice, including the teachings of the Anishinaabe people. The eagle uses its wings like the airplane’s ailerons and tail like an airplane’s rudder; these provide guidance and direction. Similarly, the teacher provides leadership to the students by guiding and directing them to a balanced and healthy lifestyle. The twelve moons represent time. Like the eagle, the teacher is committed to witnessing the growth of the students and their attainment of the highest levels of education.
The painting depicts a learning opportunity for the students and the teacher. The teacher is teaching them the world of flight. The students are learning and experiencing the art of flying and all that is associated with it, such as the science of weather. They are experiencing the properties of wind, as they gracefully maneuver around the gusts of wind, gliding and diving. Within this experience they not only learn the art of flight but also witness the spectacular view of the world from the eyes of the natural teacher, the eagle.
16 EXPLORING THE STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR THE TEACHING PROFESSION THROUGH ANISHINAABE ART