Welcome to the October edition of TA Talk.
Tomorrow, Friday 30th October, marks 5 years since Australian Teacher Aide threw open the online doors to schools around Australia.
Back in 2015, we launched ATA by hosting a professional development summit for teacher aides working in schools on the Sunshine Coast, our home city. Since, we have hosted over 80 live web events, and created an online resource library boasting in excess of 100 resources, developed specifically for the support role in schools.
Also during this time, we initiated 2 significant national events, the Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards and Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week.
But we are not stopping there! Our events calendar for next year is almost full. In 2021, we will be joined by school leaders from around Australia as they talk about the professional learning journeys they are taking with their support staff. We have noticed how PD planning is becoming more inclusive and how schools are recognising the undeniable value education support staff bring to student learning.
As part of our 5 year celebrations, we are delighted to acknowledge four professional learning champion schools who have renewed their membership with ATA for the 5th consecutive year. This month you can read how Oak Flats High School became professional learning champions.
Happy birthday to us! :)
Warm regards
Mandy and Stella
CONGRATULATIONS ON 5 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WITH ATA
We wish to acknowledge the following schools for their commitment to the ongoing professional development of their education support staff. These professional learning champions have been ATA members for 5 consecutive years.
Beerburrum State School QLD
Longreach State School QLD
Oak Flats High School NSW
Toukley Public School VIC
HOW DID OAK FLATS HIGH SCHOOL BECOME PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CHAMPIONS?
This year Oak Flats High School NSW celebrates its fifth year with Australian Teacher Aide, and became professional learning champions. This achievement can be credited to the value Jo Opie, Head Teacher at the Jamberoo Special Education Centre, places on building the expertise of her whole team.
Jo described the ATA resources as brilliant, and said that she had seen amazing growth in the support skills, communication, and research skills of her SLSOs, which has benefited the way they work with students.
Learn how Jo has been leading her team of SLSOs on a successful professional learning journey.
I just watched the Workplace Bullying video and it was fantastic, I have registered for part 2 in February. Thank you for such interesting webinars. I try not to miss any. - Rose, QLD
Workplace Bullying Part 1: What it is and what you can do about it
Nerio Baldini, from Enable Workplace Consulting is a specialist in the prevention of bullying and conflict resolution. In this webinar, Nerio focuses on the impact bullying has on individuals in the workplace. You will learn what bullying is and how we respond, how to distinguish bullying from other behaviours, the potential effects of bullying on the individual, and 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.
Workplace Bullying Part 2: What it is and what your organisation can do about it
Tuesday, 9 February 2021 at 3:30pm EAEST
Nerio Baldini, from Enable Workplace consulting is a specialist in the prevention of bullying and conflict resolution. In Part 2, Nerio focuses on workplace bullying and how to bully-proof your organisation.
REGISTER NOW FOR OUR 2021 LIVE EVENTS
Next year, we have some amazing educators lined up who will share how they build the expertise of their support staff, and how students benefit. Here are two early bird events you can already book for next year:
April 6: Literacy
The Science of Reading – How Clayton South Primary School Provide Reading Support
Presented by Greg Clement, Principal, Clayton South Primary School, NSW
June 8: Disability
How to Avoid and Manage Meltdowns in Students
Presented by Louise Griffiths, Education Support Coordinator and Butterfly Centre Teacher, Mt Evelyn Christian School, VIC
- This is the 60th edition of TA TALK!
- Our first web event, 3 Steps to Improving Behaviour in the Classroom, was held on 18 December 2015, (one week before Christmas) and was attended by 24 participants
- We have delivered over 80 live events since we started
- In 5 years, our professional development library has grown to over 100 resources
- We introduced the first national award for education support staff, Australian Teacher Aide of the Year
- We initiated the national celebration, Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week
- We have 17,985 followers on Facebook
ATA BIRTHDAY COMPETITION - Enter to win an ATA Polo Shirt
Since it’s our 5th birthday we are celebrating by giving away 5 monogrammed ATA polo shirts.
All you have to do is tell us in 50 words or less, why you love being a member of ATA!
The 5 lucky winners will be notified on Thursday 5 November 2020. The winners will also be published in next Thursday’s newsletter. Be quick!
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