Theme 3 - Professional Engagement
Engage in professional learning
From the commencement of my studies in first year until now I have attended a number of professional development (PD's) which have assisted me in expanding my knowledge in particular areas and develop more as a teacher.
The PD's I have attended include;
Auslan Vic deaf
James Nottingham part 1 & 2
AEU PD's
Curriculum Organiser
Maths online interview
SMART board
William Glasser Intensive Training
Bluearth
History
I also have completed courses:
Beginning coaching general principles
CPR Certificate
Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association
Gifted Education
Bluearth, William Glasser, James Nottingham, SMART board, Maths online, Curriculum organiser, AEU, and learning intentions and success criteria's. I will continue to attend future PD's as I believe they are a valuable tool in developing good teaching and learning practices also improving student learning.
I am also qualified in first aid and swim teaching.
Reading through, discussing and working with the 7 National Professional Standards for Teachers as outlined in the 'Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership' extensively throughout this portfolio have allowed me have a better understanding of the elements that make up high quality teaching. I hope to reach the high quality teaching with enough time, experience and practice.
Attending professional meetings at my current placement school (from the beginning of the school year) has assisted me in having a deeper insight into working in a team, discussions that take place, deepened my knowledge in many different areas, hearing different ways of doing things and emphasis that are put on specific things. I accept all types of feedback from staff, students and others, as I find it a valuable learning and reflection tool.
Attending professional meetings at my current placement school (from the beginning of the school year) has assisted me in having a deeper insight into working in a team, discussions that take place, deepened my knowledge in many different areas, hearing different ways of doing things and emphasis that are put on specific things. I accept all types of feedback from staff, students and others, as I find it a valuable learning and reflection tool.
Engage professionally with colleagues, parents, carers and the community
Engagement with the AITSL document, university resources and in developing this portfolio it has allowed me to reflect on many different areas of teaching as well as reflecting on how much I love the profession. Throughout my placements I have attended a number of different meetings such as staff meetings, professional learning team (PLT and PLC) meetings, and engaged in critical reflection/discussion with mentor teachers. I have always been open to any type of feedback about my teaching, lessons etc because I believe that feedback is useful in a number of different ways such as making changes, considering different ways of doing things, and improving teaching practice. By accepting feedback and advice from others (mentors, staff, students, etc) especially this year, I believe I have grown as a developing teacher and will continue to accept feedback from my others. Completing close to four years of university with the education cohort of 'university students' we have learnt to all work together also being grouped with others who I wasn't close with was actually beneficial in learning how to work cooperatively and effectively.
Throughout my placements I have had opportunities of communicating and interacting with parents as well as the local community with things such as parent nights/events, informal and formal discussions (eg before/after school). I have engaged with parents/carers alot more especially this year with things such as parent teacher interviews, diary signing, parent - teacher barbeque, parent helpers and contacting parents for a number of reasons such as discussing student needs etc.
I have had the great opportunity of developing a positive rapport and working with many different teachers at a range of schools that I have attended placement at. Engaging with them has allowed me to improve my teaching practices, become more confident in my teaching, offered me needed support and guidance, and shared helpful resources/strategies. I believe it is so important to build good relationships with the other teachers and treat them as you would like to be treated, as they have assisted me from day one with anything I have needed help with and its great being able to help each other out. Finally, I have always and will continue to act in a professional manner, abide by the code of conduct/ethics (also outlined in the placement manuals by the university) and follow the given school policies etc.