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Professional Engagement
Standard 7 - Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community.
Standard 7 - Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community.
From experience gained as part of my university studies, school experiences as well as from my employment I am aware of the Code of Conduct and the guiding document How to Comply With Our Code of Conduct and believe that I act in accordance with guidelines set for teachers by the Government of Western Australia. Department of Education (2014). I am also aware of and comply with the 'Fit and Proper Requirements' as set out by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (2014). I understand in the education sector there are many policies in place that must be adhered to, for many aspects of as set out by Western Australia. Department of Education (2014). I currently hold a valid Working With Children Card and have a current screening clearance status for the National Criminal History Check.
During professional placements I have had many opportunities to engage with parents and carers in a variety of ways. This includes general conversations and exchanges of information relating to children (such as discussions of positive and negative behaviours, individual education plans and student absences). On the most recent school experience, in a pre-primary setting I also had the opportunity to work alongside and guide parents who participate in the learning experiences with the children.
As part of my role as an education assistant I have been part of collaborative teams including parents/carers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, visiting teachers (School of Special Educational Needs: Disability), the Department for Child Protection and Behaviour Centre specialists working together to improve student outcomes. During meetings such as these and other interactions with parents, highly sensitive and private family information is some times shared highlighting the need to "maintain confidentiality and adhere to any relevant legislation or policy relating to the treatment of personal information" Western Australia. Department of Education (2014).
During professional placements I have had many opportunities to engage with parents and carers in a variety of ways. This includes general conversations and exchanges of information relating to children (such as discussions of positive and negative behaviours, individual education plans and student absences). On the most recent school experience, in a pre-primary setting I also had the opportunity to work alongside and guide parents who participate in the learning experiences with the children.
As part of my role as an education assistant I have been part of collaborative teams including parents/carers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, visiting teachers (School of Special Educational Needs: Disability), the Department for Child Protection and Behaviour Centre specialists working together to improve student outcomes. During meetings such as these and other interactions with parents, highly sensitive and private family information is some times shared highlighting the need to "maintain confidentiality and adhere to any relevant legislation or policy relating to the treatment of personal information" Western Australia. Department of Education (2014).
7.4 Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities. Understand the role of external professionals and community representatives in broadening teachers’ professional knowledge and practice.
Situation
During my final practicum, one of the university assessment tasks was to research and present a special interest topic to a small group of teachers, education assistants or parents. While I am more than comfortable to be a participating audience member I find public speaking quite nerve-wracking.
Action
The topic and substance of the research and presentation was to be suitable and relevant for a beginning teacher. Some of the topic ideas I considered included building resilience in beginning teachers, the benefits of play-based learning in Early Childhood Education and fostering intrinsically motivated learning before deciding on Autism friendly classrooms. A decision made from collaborating with my mentor teacher who shared with me her first classroom experiences as a graduate teacher.
I created an interactive whiteboard presentation and a brochure to support my chosen topic. I also designed an activity to simulate auditory and visual hypersensitivity that required participation from the audience.
Outcome
The feedback from the participants was positive and even though they had worked in education for some time, commented on how they had learnt some new information from the experience. Despite feeling nervous before and during the event I believe that networking opportunities such as these provides an important platform to engage with others and share knowledge, is a significant factor in professional growth.
During my final practicum, one of the university assessment tasks was to research and present a special interest topic to a small group of teachers, education assistants or parents. While I am more than comfortable to be a participating audience member I find public speaking quite nerve-wracking.
Action
The topic and substance of the research and presentation was to be suitable and relevant for a beginning teacher. Some of the topic ideas I considered included building resilience in beginning teachers, the benefits of play-based learning in Early Childhood Education and fostering intrinsically motivated learning before deciding on Autism friendly classrooms. A decision made from collaborating with my mentor teacher who shared with me her first classroom experiences as a graduate teacher.
I created an interactive whiteboard presentation and a brochure to support my chosen topic. I also designed an activity to simulate auditory and visual hypersensitivity that required participation from the audience.
Outcome
The feedback from the participants was positive and even though they had worked in education for some time, commented on how they had learnt some new information from the experience. Despite feeling nervous before and during the event I believe that networking opportunities such as these provides an important platform to engage with others and share knowledge, is a significant factor in professional growth.