Welcome to the August edition of TA Talk.
Two of the biggest events on the ATA calendar are happening next week!
On Thursday 3rd September we announce the 2020 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year.
Congratulations to the finalists from each State, who are now in the running for the award. The 8 finalists and 30 highly commended teacher aides were selected from 142 nominations received from schools around Australia.
It has been an honour to read each nomination, and they once more draw attention to the many outstanding ways education paraprofessionals make a significant difference in the lives of children, the school and community, every day. Schools really couldn’t do without you!
The other main event happening next week is, of course, Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. This week is an opportunity for schools to celebrate the wonderful work of teacher aides. We know many of you already have it all planned out, but just in case you need a hand, we have lots of ideas, and templates you can download. Send us your celebration photos, videos, and stories and we will share them with the ATA community.
Warm regards
Stella and Mandy
WHO WILL BE THE 2020 AUSTRALIAN TEACHER AIDE OF THE YEAR?
We would like to thank the 142 schools who nominated a teacher aide for this year’s Australian Teacher Aide of the Year awards. This year the calibre of nominations was once more of an exceptional standard, and we wish each of the eight finalists the best of luck!.
Yet again, our judging panel had a tough job assessing nominations. This is what Pam Athiende, Acting Head of Department at Deception Bay State High School in QLD had to say:
"What a pleasure to read about all these amazing teacher aides and the programs they are implementing. So uplifting to read about the impact they are having on students’ lives, and their school community. Where would teachers be without our teacher aides? I am very pleased that my scores will be combined with other members of the judging panel, as there is no way I could split hairs to find just one worthy recipient amongst these amazing finalists."
You can read about the awesome work our finalists do on our website.
AUSTRALIAN TEACHER AIDE APPRECIATION WEEK
Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week is next week, 31 August - 4 September. Are you stuck for ideas? We have you covered! Visit our website and download our special Appreciation Week resources. Start planning out a week of celebrations with your colleagues and students.
P.S Don't forget the morning tea menu!! :)
SPECIAL TEACHER AIDE APPRECIATION WEEK WEB EVENT
LIVE WEB EVENT Your Words Create Your Future 1 September 2020 at 3:30pm AEST
To help celebrate Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week (31 August - 4 September), we have invited Patty Duque, internationally certified coach, speaker and best selling author, to present a special webinar.
Patty will share with you the top 5 secrets of how you can change your words to change your life and the life of those around you! She will also share some great acronyms that have helped many of her clients (as young as 10 years old) change their perspective, attitude and self-talk.
DO YOU HAVE A PD DAY COMING UP?
Our PD Planner for Schools is updated each month, and is a great tool for identifying professional development that matches your school’s improvement agenda.
You can use the PD Planner in conjunction with the CPD diary to record and track professional development, receive certificates and support developing performance conversations.
Your CPD Diary shows evidence of your knowledge and understanding in different support areas and can be used towards recognition of prior learning.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Essential Behaviour Support Skills for Schools
Part 3: On Task Behaviour
Learn to use the language of correction to get students back on task in the least intrusive way, and explore practical strategies to redirect students back to learning.
LIVE WEB EVENT
Workplace Bullying Part 1: What it is and what you can do about it
13 October 2020 at 3:30PM AEST
Nerio Baldini, from Enable Workplace Consulting, is a specialist in the prevention of bullying and conflict resolution. In this webinar he will focus on the impact of bullying on individuals in the workplace.
This webinar is suitable for all staff in schools.
NEW ADDITIONS TO TA TOOLBOX
We have recently added more links to articles and videos on the following topics:
- How to use positive language to reinforce positive behaviour, and help children learn
- A podcast, by behaviour management guru Dr Bill Rogers, on effective behaviour management in the classroom
Congratulations to Joanne Howlett, a teacher aide from Yass in NSW who was the lucky winner of our member webinar competition this month. Joanne won an ATA monogrammed polo shirt for correctly answering the question, What is the word that describes a student’s inappropriate response to a correction? Do you know the answer?
The answer to last month’s challenge question, What is the name of the American psychologist from Stanford University who is known for their work on Mindset? is Carol Dweck.
EDUCATION SUPPORT TRAINING PACKAGE UPDATE
In May 2019 we asked you to have your say about the proposed changes to the Education Support qualifications. Your voices were heard, and your input has made a significant impact to these qualifications.
Notably, in draft 3, there has been a name change to School Based Education Support. As well, the new role description recognises that education support workers work mainly with students in classroom settings in primary and secondary schools.
It is also significant that there is once more a strong focus on the skills you told us were essential to performing your job now and into the future, namely: literacy, numeracy, behaviour, disability, and additional needs.
Draft 3 is available for public consultation until 11th September.
WHAT'S TRENDING ON THE ATA FACEBOOK PAGE
21,653 views
1,598 reactions, comments and shares
If a student leaves my classroom with new skills, I've done my job.
If a child leaves my classroom knowing they are loved and accepted for who they are, I've reached my goal.
Yes, you are doing your job and kicking goals!
The votes are in! Go check it out! Are you on the list?
7,321 views 82 reactions, comments and shares
We could almost hear the flurry of excitement and the mad scurry to our website to see who made the 2020 list of nominees.
We know that there are many more of you who truly deserve to be on the list as well. Sometimes, it simply comes down to the busyness of those who are in a position to make a nomination ...
OUR PD IS AVAILABLE ALL THE TIME, WHEREVER YOU ARE
On demand, on-line, on point!
We are remote ready!
Whether working from home or at school, Australian Teacher Aide can meet the professional learning needs of teacher aides in schools.
ATA membership gives your school instant access to our online Professional Development library with almost 100 video resources, customised to the education support role.
If you would like to make sure our resources are right for your team, download our Professional Development Planner for a comprehensive list of all available resources.
Leaders in Professional Learning for Teacher Aides
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