For this teacher, despite the professional knowledge that she had to draw upon and the documents that she used to frame what and how she should teach, there were still children like the Koori girl on the seesaw who sat at the margins of learning. Working as a teacher means facing issues in learning and relationships that do not depend simply on the teacher's knowledge of the child, or on legislation, policies, standards and codes of practice, but also on the politics that operate for and between children. These politics may involve how each person practises the meanings of gender, wealth, 'race', culture, sexuality and age. Studying how these meanings are implicated in what is happening for and between children, and listening to children's voices is an important way of working against unfairness in learning and relationships These issues are important to children. As Kaarin (aged 4, born in central Asia) confided to her teacher, Leyla, when she was excluded from play with the Barbie dolls (Campbell 2001: 224)
Leyla: How do you feel when Diana and Bella won't let you be their friend?
Kaarin: I just feel dizzy and sad
Part of reflecting on who you will be as a professional involves looking for and asking questions about social justice, and about how some people in your community are located on the margins of life. It is these margins and the specific life of your that Michel Foucault and Francois Lyotard recognized as exciting opportunities for change.
In summary, the equity risks from working solely within this approach to being professional centre on the following. •standards, codes and legislation can reinforce dominant cultural values, •specialized knowledge and codes of practices can't always answer how we ensure 'wise' and just practices