Engage in professional learning

Standard 6.1 - Identify and plan professional learning needs. (Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the National Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.)

Identifying and planning professional learning needs is imperative to improve up your own teaching practice. I used to google docs to provide teacher evaluation feedback surveys for students to fill out. A couple of the students stated I should be a little firmer in dealing with behavioural management. I believe this is something i could work on yet improved a lot by the end of my 9-week placement. I believe I have all the standard efficiently and effectively and have proven that I have achieved these well.

Standard 6.2 - Engage in professional learning and improve practice. (Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.)

On my 9-week placement, I attended a three-day professional development day the Christian Schools Association. Here I learnt that all teachers will continue to develop their own professional learning and can consistently and constantly improve their own practice. Furthermore, attending weekly staff meetings allowed me to ask questions with the principle stating that I asked questions that he with the teachers would ask. I found being transparent with my eagerness to learn allowed for greater improvement in all areas of my teacher. Moreover, I would have constant conversations with my mentors to ensure I was developing and gaining as much knowledge from them as I could. I also engaged in a “Remember the Holocaust” workshop with Andrew Steiner.

Standard 6.3 - Engage with colleagues and improve practice. (Seek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.)

I was in constant communication with my mentors to ensure I was receiving the best advice I could get. I had a meeting with the principal to track my progress and I made sure to ask as many questions as possible. I seeked and applied constructive feedback from supervisors, teachers, mentors and colleagues to improve my own teaching practice.

Standard 6.4 - Apply professional learning and improve student learning. (Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning.)

I ensured that I listened carefully and took notes at all professional development sessions, ensuring I applied the professional learning to my own teaching practices. My mentor teachers were constantly encouraging me, giving me confidence in the classroom and during my teaching preparation. They stated how much I had improved over the past 9 weeks and were proud of my progress.