Korrine Miller
Teacher/Student
Standard 6
Engagement in professional development
6.2
Engage in professional learning and improve practiceUnderstand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers. (AITSL, 2012).
In 2010, I studied a Postgraduate Certificate of Special Education (High Support Needs) through MUSEC in which I was required to complete a number of practicum hours at Kurrumbee School. Students ranged in ages from 7 to 12 in the class of 8 with a variety of disabilities and support needs. Lesson planning and supporting these students required detailed consulting with their class teacher and teacher’s aide whose knowledge of each students’ individual needs was invaluable to successful educational outcomes. On completion of a planned lesson for 2 students, feedback was provided regarding the strengths and weaknesses demonstrated by myself and suggestions made for various strategies that could be adopted. The reflection based on the constructive feedback provided continue to improve my teaching abilities and range of management skills developed throughout my practicum.
Strengths – The feedback from the supervising teacher stated that my strengths in this lesson included the lesson objective, rules and procedures, lesson presentation, reinforcement procedure, instructional pace and behaviour management. Due to the positive feedback I was able to file this lesson under successful teaching strategies for future reference.
Weaknesses – The area of weakness in this lesson plan was correction and feedback for the students. The terms I used was “good boy” and “no”. The school focuses on using positive feedback and redirecting students when the desired behaviour is not demonstrated.
Ways of improving performance – It was suggested by the supervising teacher that my feedback is more specific using terms such as “good picking” rather than “good boy”. Developing a repertoire of words that can be used to provide specific, positive feedback would help to improve my performance as a teacher. Continuing to ask feedback from supervisors and teachers is essential to my development as a teacher as it will allow me to review my progress and further my skills.
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Standard 7
Engage professionaly with colleagues, parent the community
7.4
Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities. Understand the role of external professionals and the community representatives in broadening teachers' professional knowledge and practice (AITSL, 2012).
In my time away from teaching I volunteered with the Autism Advisory and Support Service (AASS) for 4 years, proudly a group of Mothers with children with Autism who decided to support and guide other families who had children with Autism. I undertook many roles with the service including co-ordinator/facilitator of the Marayong parent support group and represented AASS on the Department of Education Early Childhood Intervention Co-ordination Program. I also consulted with schools and preschools on ways of integrating children with Autism into the classroom, while providing parent with information about what they could do to prepare children for these environments.
Strengths - In this context the ability to reflect as a teacher and as a parent of two children with Autism was an important strength I could add to the service and committee. It provided professionals and community representatives the opportunities to ask my opinion from both sides of the equation and sharing my experiences with them enabled a plan to be formed that would benefit both parents, professionals and the children
Weaknesses – The opportunity to provide a perspective from both a professional point of view and parental point of view can also great a conflict as what is best for the individual child cannot always be met in formal education settings. Difficulties arisen in persuading professionals who have not worked with children with additional needs can also be difficult and during these times it can be challenging to remain on both sides of the cause, the parental side can take over if not carefully monitored.
Ways of improving performance – As I continue to consult with a range of professionals and community representatives it is important to further develop communication skills and the sharing of ideas regarding the roles each professional has to play in the education of children. I endeavour to continue to learn as much as possible from those whose professional careers expand greatly beyond mine and acknowledge wealth of experience these professionals have to offer.
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