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CASE WRITING 2015

Name: Kacey Dixon


Student ID: 3919482
Subject: Approaches to teaching and learning 2
Tutor: Mike
Due: Thursday 30th July
Assignment: Case Study

Cases constitute a rich description of practice.


They generally describe a teaching and learning event or experience, which includes one or
more of the following:

A dilemma
Power
Uncertainty
Unexpected outcome
A difficult choice
A situation which has left you feeling unsatisfied
A situation which has left you feeling very satisfied
A moral or ethical consideration

Practice Describe
Whilst assisting on Year 11 camp at my placement school Gilmore Girls College an incident
occurred between the assistant principle, myself and another VU preservice teacher. On the
last night of the camp the teachers decided to have a camp fire for the girls. Myself, Rey (the
other pre-service teacher) and both the Gilmore teachers were supervising the students around
the fire. After about half an hour some of the students decided that they wanted to go inside to
watch a movie, majority of the girls wanted to stay outside. Without a word being spoken
Paul (the assistant principle) and Helen (the other teacher) walked inside, Rey and I decided
we better stay with the other students to supervise. About 15 minutes later Paul returned and

abruptly asked what was going on and told the girls to come inside immediately. As teenagers
do they all began moaning and groaning saying they didnt want to etc. At this time Paul was
getting angry so I said to him that if he was happy for the students to stay outside we were
supervising them anyway. The next thing we knew Paul started verbally abusing Rey and I.
Screaming at us saying youre not supervising them, when you two have VIT registration
then you can do what you like and did we know the safety regulations and danger to the
students blah blah!!
This was all happening in front of about 19 year 11 students. I felt myself becoming
extremely angry due to the way we were being spoken to and the things being said. At the
time I was unsure how to approach this situation in all honesty I wanted to stand up and abuse
him back but I told myself that I am a teacher now and that is not the way to deal with a
situation like this, I decided it was best to remove myself so I got up and walked away to cool
off. By this point the students became quite upset and began to voice their disgust in the way
Paul treated us, he then began to abuse the students and in the end stormed of like a 2 year
old who just had a temper tantrum. Once the camp fire was put out and the students returned
to their rooms, Paul still made no attempt to speak to us and discuss the situation and the next
morning he proceeded to ignored both Rey and I like we werent even there. Lucky this was
the final morning of the camp.
Practice Explained
Reflecting on this incident I felt that the situation was ridiculous and never had to happen.
Questions raised: Why in the first place when it suited the teachers were we left to supervise
the students? If there was an issue with us supervising the students why was this not
explained prior to the camp? And what sort of assistant principle sets an example of
screaming at pre-service teachers in front of students? How hard would it have been to
remove us and have a quite word surrounding the rules and safety regulations?

Practice theorise
This particular case raises the question of what it means to be a good mentor. It is said that a
good mentor should provide an environment to share professional knowledge, skills and
expertise. Mentors should have effective communication skills, be willing to answer
questions, provide guidance and constructive feedback. As well as demonstrate a positive
attitude and act as a positive role model while respecting their pre-service teacher throughout
the learning process (Edutopia, 2015).
This situation left me feeling disrespected, uncomfortable and uncertain about my role as a
pre-service teacher. As stated above a good mentor should possess those qualities and in this
situation Paul was not demonstrating any. Furthermore, being the assistant principle which
puts him in a position of power, made it extremely difficult to speak up and disagree with
what took place.
Practice Change
Several factors could have influenced the outcome of this case. In the future, I would make
sure prior to any camp or school event that I was debriefed on what my roles &
responsibilities are as a pre-service teacher. I believe I handle the situation well as I didnt
lose my cool and simply walked away. Although approaching Paul after the incident and
discussing what happened rather than ignoring the situation is something I should have done.
In future I would build a stronger communication protocol with my mentor. The method of
communication in this situation is the biggest factor I believe if we had communicated
effectively to begin with this situation could have been avoided.

Bibliography
Edutopia: What works in Education, 2015.The Good Mentor: What it takes to be
effective, accessed 25th July, 2015.
<http://www.edutopia.org/good-mentor>
About Education, 2015. 10 ways to be a good mentor teacher, accessed 25th July,
2015.
<http://712educators.about.com/od/teachereducation/tp/How-To-Be-An-EffectiveMentor-Teacher.htm >

Case Writing Assessment Criteria


Criterion
Communication protocol completed with your mentor teacher. Signed
by both you and your mentor
The case should be connected to one of the strengths or weakness of
your teaching practice that have been highlighted in the
communication protocol

Mark

Narrative Development:

Selection of case

Outline of setting, principal players and contexts

Outline of events and description of the case

/10

Explained:

Identification of key themes and possible meanings

Questions raised by the case

Theorising and reflection on practice:

Discussion on why the case and the assumptions, exploration of


the questions raised and the themes identified connecting with
theory and the literature

Reflection on practice and effectiveness of practices. Future and


current practices explored in relation to the case

Reflections should be supported with evidence from the literature


and your PIJ

Total

/20

/30

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