1. A worldview is how an individual perceives and interprets the world around them. It encompasses core beliefs, values, cultural influences, and societal norms. Each person’s worldview is shaped by their unique surroundings and upbringing, leading to diverse perspectives based on their experiences and cultural context.
2. I believe I have quite an open worldview and always take opportunities to actively listen to the perspectives of others. I feel that I wasn’t heavily influenced during my upbringing, which has allowed me to maintain this openness.
3. These factors shape how we interpret the world, influence our interactions, and contribute to our beliefs and values. Recognizing these impacts can deepen our understanding of both our own perspectives and those of others. I’ve found that traveling broadens your worldview, as it helps you realize that not everyone lives the same way we do in the Western world.
4. As a teacher I believe it’s highly important to be self aware of not only your world view but your student and community. Depending on the community you live in there may be topics in particular that could get you fired from your job as maybe not all people share the same opinion on that topic. Not all people share the same opinion and that’s alright because that’s what creates diversity among students and people alike.
In a previous class we had a debate on the importance of keeping your opinion to yourself even when teaching a subject you don’t particularly believe in. You should either show your students enthusiasm or don’t try faking the lesson and see if another teacher would be willing to teach that topic. Therefore, students are unable to see your disdain toward the subject. There was a specific case in which we learned about, this was a case built against James Keegstra. James was a social studies teacher in Eckville Alberta from 1967-1982 when he was fired. This man brought his personal worldview to the attention of students, and as he was in an authoritative role they believed his worldview. For a brief explanation James Keegstra was found telling his social studies students that the Holocaust was not real and that Jewish people are evil and seek to destroy Christianity. The point of me explaining this man is because its important that people that hold such a firm grasp on young minds are transparent and flexible. Even if what is being taught you do not personally believe that it is “correct” its best to act unbiased and let the children being taught come to their own conclusion on their personal worldview.
As a teacher, I believe it is highly important to be self-aware not only of your worldview but also of those of your students and the community. Depending on the community you live in, there may be particular topics that could jeopardize your job, as not everyone shares the same opinions. However, this diversity of opinion is valuable because it fosters diversity among students and people alike.
In a previous class, we debated the importance of keeping personal opinions private, even when teaching subjects you may not personally agree with. Teachers should either show enthusiasm for the material they are teaching or avoid faking enthusiasm and consider asking another teacher to handle that topic. This way, students are not exposed to any disdain the teacher may feel toward the subject. We studied a specific case involving James Keegstra, a social studies teacher in Eckville, Alberta, from 1967 to 1982, who was eventually fired. Keegstra brought his personal worldview into the classroom, and because he held an authoritative role, his students believed his views. To briefly explain, James Keegstra was found to have told his students that the Holocaust was not real and that Jewish people were evil and sought to destroy Christianity.
The reason I bring up this case is to emphasize the importance of transparency and flexibility for those who have a significant influence on young minds. Even if you personally do not believe in what is being taught, it is crucial to remain unbiased and allow students to form their own conclusions about their personal worldviews.
5. I believe it’s important for a teacher to stay neutral, even if their personal opinion is different from what’s being discussed in class. By creating an inclusive environment, differentiating instruction, and learning about each student’s culture and needs, teachers can adjust their methods to help every student succeed. This way, your personal worldview won’t get in the way of a student’s potential.
6. Challenging the Western worldview in K-12 education is important when it excludes diverse cultures, perspectives, and histories. Educators should recognize the biases of Western frameworks to create an inclusive curriculum that fosters critical thinking and prepares students for a globalized world. If students travel without understanding multiple worldviews, it could be a culture shock. It’s essential that students begin to explore multiple worldview perspectives as they progress through the education system, particularly as they reach higher grades.
7. It reinforces the Western perspective through its focus on European historical events, including the exploration and colonization of North America, as well as its emphasis on European contributions to economic development, such as the fur trade. Until Reconciliation Day, what was taught about early contact between First Peoples and Europeans was told from the colonizer’s perspective. I believe it would also benefit students’ learning to explore histories from across the world.