Welcome to the July edition of TA Talk.
There is excitement building, with just over a month left before we announce the 2021 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year.
Today we have published the names of all teacher aides who have been nominated in this year’s awards, and wish to acknowledge the many school leaders who have recognised the significant contribution their support staff make to student learning and wellbeing, their colleagues, and the community.
Teacher aides play such a vital role in schools, working alongside teachers to support student learning and engagement, yet their impact on student outcomes is often overlooked.
We believe that having a set of national standards will help define the quality support practices that lead to improved outcomes for students, and can contribute significantly to the status of the profession. As such, we have initiated an Industry Reference Group to inform the development of the Australian Standards for Paraprofessional Educators, and the consultation process will begin next week.
We take great pleasure in celebrating schools that are committed to building the capacity of their support staff, and would like to congratulate our most recent 5 Year Professional Learning Champions from Dakabin State High School, St Michael's School Traralgon, and Prince of Peace Lutheran College.
We hope you enjoy reading today’s feature article that celebrates how the teacher aides at Rosella Park School help their students to learn and succeed.
Don’t forget to check out our new professional learning resources, and upcoming events, and find out how to participate in our special mini-series starting in MyPLC soon.
Over the past month, it has been especially noticeable that many of you have been working and learning from home, as we issued over 400 certificates of completion to our members.
Lastly, we are delighted that Victoria has emerged safely from their fifth lockdown, and would like to send positive thoughts to everyone in New South Wales schools, who are doing it tough! We are here for you!
Warm regards Mandy and Stella
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL NOMINEES
Congratulations to all the teacher aides who have been nominated in this year’s Australian Teacher Aide of the Year awards.
There is much anticipation to find out who will be our Winners. Keep a look out for the following announcements:
Thursday 19th August
State Finalists
Wednesday 1st September
2021 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year - School Team
Thursday 2nd September
2021 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year
You can read the names of the nominees, their nominator, and the schools on our awards page. We wish everyone the best of luck!
AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS FOR PARAPROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS IN SCHOOLS
Thank you to the schools, and education departments that expressed an interest in participating in the consultation process for the Australian Standards for Paraprofessional Educators in Schools. To date, we have received expressions of interest from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.
The consultation process will begin next week, and we will be in touch with all of the organisations that expressed an interest, shortly. The first outcome will be to develop a framework for the Australian Standards for Paraprofessional Educators in Schools.
Tools and strategies to build resilience and cope with adversity
Tuesday 10th August 2021 @ 3:30pm AEST
Dr Paula Barrett, Adjunct Professor in the School of Psychology at Edith Cowan University, is the author of the FRIENDS Programs which have been endorsed by the World Health Organisation as best practice for the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression, and promoting resilience in families, schools and communities.
Join Dr Barrett as she returns to present our next webinar on risk and protective factors for anxiety and stress, and how to assist adults, teenagers and young children cope with adversity.
Step Up Stand Tall - Changing the Mindset of the Paraprofessional
It is no wonder that Taryn Riles, a school learning support officer (SLSO) at Boorowa Central School, is the current Australian Teacher Aide of the Year!
In a recent webinar, Taryn shared her passion for her job, and her vision to empower teacher aides to take ownership and pride in their profession. If you are feeling down, a bit stressed or stuck in lockdown, Taryn’s presentation will undoubtedly lift your spirits and reinforce why you are a teacher aide!
5 YEAR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CHAMPION
Teacher Aides give students a voice
Teacher aides at Rosella Park School, in Gladstone, use a wide range of skills to support their students, including behaviour management, data and record keeping, medical and personal care support, and various communication platforms.
They participate in annual performance planning, and use the Queensland Department of Education competency framework to help them identify the support practices they need to achieve quality outcomes for the students.
We recently had the pleasure to meet Deb Bradshaw and Carmel Pitt, to find out how the dedicated teacher aides at Rosella Park help their students to learn and succeed.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FROM HOME OR SCHOOL
Many schools are starting to renew for their 5th consecutive year of membership with Australian Teacher Aide. This shows a significant ongoing commitment by these schools to maximise student success using a whole school approach to improving professional performance.
School membership with ATA is a unique offering, designed to support busy schools that need flexibility and choice and a 'one-stop professional learning shop'. It enables whole teams to share, collaborate and learn together, whether working from home or school.
Your school's partnership with ATA starts with an invitation to a personalised 'new member orientation' virtual or phone meeting, and continues with friendly ongoing support, and access to over 100 resources across 11 content areas, for an unlimited number of staff.
Perhaps you have been a member with ATA for some time, yet your school is not. Is it time to share your secret for success?
MyPLC is our private Facebook Group exclusively for Australian Teacher Aide members. This professional learning community is designed to bring teacher aides together, in a safe, online forum where there is an opportunity to learn from colleagues, and share knowledge and ideas.
Starting on Wednesday 4th August we have guest expert, Louise Griffiths, joining us to kick start a conversation about What is a Meltdown?
If you have been following our live webinars, you probably know that Louise answered dozens of questions after her webinar, How to Avoid and Manage Meltdowns.
Unfortunately we ran out of time before Louise could answer all of the questions, so instead we have decided to bring you this mini -series, just for MyPLC Members.
Tune in to MyPLC next Wednesday to learn more!
WHAT'S TRENDING ON THE ATA FACEBOOK PAGE
How many of you can relate to this?
31,219 views 1,423 reactions, comments and shares
Our students say the darndest things don't they? When they sprout whatever's on their mind, they bring such joy and relief in these challenging times of virtual learning ... and equal moments of exasperation!
Leaders in Professional Learning for Schools
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