Hi @{aspediacrm-person-firstname}
Welcome to the September edition of TA Talk.
Looking back at September, there was much to brighten the month as schools celebrated Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week with gusto.
Teacher aides from around Australia were recognised with morning teas, flowers, gifts and thank you notes.
Going all out was Vicki Dean, a Performing Arts Teacher at Kippa-Ring State School who, along with her colleagues, produced an awesome thank you video for their teacher aides. Vicki, it certainly inspired us for next year!
To cap the week off, Patty Duque presented a special web event: Your Words Create Your Future which received rave reviews. This free online resource is available for a few more days before it is uploaded to our member-only PD library.
After much anticipation, we were also delighted to announce that Taryn Riles is the 2020 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year. Read more about the outstanding achievements of Taryn and all of the award winners below.
This year we received 142 nominations, and we wish to thank all of the school leaders who submitted a nomination to recognise the valuable contribution their teacher aides make at their school.
We are yet again humbled by the depth of skills, knowledge, experience and commitment of teacher aides around Australia, and are planning a special event where we can share the amazing talents of the award recipients with the education community. Stay posted for a spectacular online event!
Warm regards
Stella and Mandy
2020 AUSTRALIAN TEACHER AIDE OF THE YEAR
CONGRATULATIONS TARYN RILES
BOOROWA CENTRAL SCHOOL, NSW
We are delighted to announce that Taryn Riles is the 2020 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year. Taryn is a school learning support officer from Boorowa Central School in New South Wales.
Taryn was nominated for this prestigious national award by principal, Graham Jones, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to student learning and well-being.
Graham said that Taryn has been a full time SLSO at the school for five years, and that her influence and leadership runs far, wide and deep. She is an outstanding SLSO, is fantastic in the classroom supporting students with additional needs, and also delivers the school’s Stronger Smarter wellbeing program to all students from Kindergarten to Year 10.
2020 AUSTRALIAN TEACHER AIDE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Once more the judges of this year’s Australian Teacher Aide of the Year awards had a difficult task selecting a winner from eight amazing state finalists.
Each of the finalists were nominated by their schools for their outstanding impact on students’ academic, social and emotional development, including their ability to promote inclusive practices to ensure no student is left behind, delivering differentiated instruction, building positive relationships, supporting students with disability, implementing successful literacy interventions, fostering educational awareness of the traditional custodians of the land, and more.
A special mention must also go to the 30 teacher aides who were highly commended for their impact on student learning and wellbeing. These dedicated teacher aides have collaboratively contributed to improved student outcomes, mental health and wellbeing, as well as academic progress across the curriculum.
SURVEY RESULTS - YOUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NEEDS
Thank you to everyone who responded to last week’s survey about your professional learning needs. We were impressed by the large number of responses, and have enough feedback about what you want to plan ahead for several years!
The key topics you asked for were literacy, behaviour, learning differences, disability, mental health and wellbeing; as well as professional learning to develop your personal and professional skills. Some of you also asked for more content for secondary school teacher aides.
Many of the topics you requested are already in our professional development library, and your feedback will assist us to continue to provide you with relevant and up to date professional learning. For a complete list of resources download the PD Planner for Schools.
Thank you to the educators who indicated they would be interested in presenting a webinar topic next year. We will be in touch with you in term 4.
Your Words Create Your Future
Patty Duque, a certified results coach, speaker and best-selling author, shares her top 5 secrets of how you can change your words to change your life and the life of those around you!
HURRY! Free Webinar available this month only!
Essential Behaviour Support Skills for Schools
Part 3: Correction
You won't want to miss the last of this three-part series on behaviour, where you will learn to use the language of correction to get students back on task in the least intrusive way.
Workplace Bullying Part 1: What it is and what you can do about it
Tuesday 13 October 2020 at 3:30pm AEST
Have you ever wondered why workplace bullying is so widespread but seems to be so difficult to stop?
Nerio Baldini, from Enable Workplace Consulting is a specialist in the prevention of bullying and conflict resolution. Join our guest expert to find out more about the impact of bullying and learn:
- What bullying is and how we respond
- How to distinguish bullying from other behaviours
- Why bullying causes damage and the potential effects on you
- Practical strategies to respond to bullying
My Aboriginal Learning Journey in the Kimberley
Tuesday 10 November 2020 at 3:30pm AEST
What does best practice look like when you are working with Aboriginal children and Aboriginal communities?
In 2019, this was the question that led Maureen Toyn, Education Support Teacher at North Metropolitan TAFE Perth, to visit remote Western Australian communities to learn firsthand about Aboriginal education. Join our guest expert to hear about:
- Her learning journey to remote communities in the Kimberley region
- Meeting the Aboriginal people and hearing their stories
- Practical tips and strategies from Aboriginal educators
- Approaches to teaching and learning that worked
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is an acknowledgement of your expertise and experience as a teacher aide. You can gain a formal qualification by receiving recognition by a qualified TAFE Queensland assessor for relevant previous study and the skills gained in your role.
In 2020, Marina was evaluating her career progression opportunities. She had reached a point in her role as a teacher aide where she couldn’t progress any further without a qualification — so she decided to investigate RPL. Marina completed a Certificate III in Education Support (CHC30213) in just over three weeks through recognition of prior learning with TAFE Queensland.
TAFE Queensland provides RPL to teacher aides in all Queensland schools. Read about Marina’s story and find out how you can get the recognition you deserve. Visit the TAFE Queensland website for more information and to apply.
WHAT'S TRENDING ON THE ATA FACEBOOK PAGE
Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week 2020
42,616 views
2,625 reactions, comments and shares
Thank you for your enthusiasm and participation this year. Our Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week post was shared 2,128 times which means this event is really gaining traction in Australian schools.
Next year, Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week will be celebrated during the week, 30 August - 3 September. Mark it in your diary!
SEEKING TEACHER AIDES TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE
ATA continues to support research that leads to better evidence based practices in schools
Daniel Lucey is conducting research involving the work of teacher aides in inclusive classrooms, as part of his PhD study at the University of Southern Queensland.
He is seeking teacher aides in primary, secondary and special education to participate in a questionnaire to identify the role that teacher aides play in the development of an inclusive culture within general education classes.
The data will be analysed and used as the basis for a series of interviews, and the emerging themes from the interviews will be used to identify challenges existing for teacher aides supporting inclusive pedagogy. It is anticipated that the findings will assist in identifying positive exemplars of best practice, demonstrating how teacher aides are being used to the benefit of Australian school students.
If you are willing to complete a 30 minute questionnaire, please use the link below to email Daniel.
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER SCHOOLS AND TRAINING ORGANISATIONS
Kurri Kurri High School, NSW
Darnum Primary School, VIC
Lakeside College, VIC
Abbotsleigh Junior School, NSW
Duffy Primary School, ACT Melton Secondary College, VIC Seville Primary School, VIC Boorowa Central School, NSW Eden Marine High School, NSW Gympie Special School, QLD St Anthony's Primary School, VIC Neerim South Primary School, VIC Barcaldine Prep-12 State School, QLD Northside Christian College, VIC Ormond Primary School, VIC Geographe Education Support Centre, WA Swayneville State School, QLD
SCOTS PGC College, QLD Spotswood Primary School VIC California Gully Primary School, VIC St Annes Primary School, VIC Sunshine Beach State High School, QLD Chifley College Dunheved Campus, NSW
Thangool State School, QLD Tyabb Primary School, VIC
Dayboro State School, QLD
West Moreton Anglican College, QLD
OneSchool Global - Victoria, VIC
Ayr State School, QLD
Leaders in Professional Learning for Teacher Aides
|