This week helped me understand my role as a teacher more clearly. I feel that as a teacher, I have a responsibility not only to teach lessons, but also to support my students emotionally and help them have hope for a better future, even in difficult situations. I may not be able to change everything, but I can create a safe and supportive space where students feel respected and encouraged.

From the VPLP framework, I understand that education in my context can be both protective and limited. It can support students and give them hope, but it can also face many challenges because of lack of resources and difficult living conditions. This helped me see how education, conflict, and peace are connected in my teaching context. I also found the Ecological Systems Theory useful because it helped me understand that students are affected by many different systems, like family, school, community, and wider society. Before, I focused mostly on the classroom because I have limited authority as a teahcer, but now I see that students’ behaviour and learning are also influenced by things outside the classroom and trying to reach that outsider areas can really help changes things for students. 

These concepts help me better understand what students bring with them, such as stress, past experiences, and different needs. It reminds me to be more patient and supportive, and to create activities that allow students to express themselves. It also shows me that I can work not only in the classroom (microsystem), but also with other teachers, families, and communities to support students more. Overall, this week helped me see that even small actions as a teacher can make a positive difference in students’ lives.