Improving professional practice

The teacher believes self-reflection is fundamental to learning; for teachers as well as for students. Having set professional goals that were personally challenging at the beginning of the year, the teacher uses opportunities to reflect on her progress with the school Principal and her mentor. The feedback she has received from her peers is positive, and she explains how she has used this to develop skills in an area she once found challenging. The teacher articulates the importance of new professional leaning opportunities to her ongoing development.

Ross Park is the oldest government primary school in Alice Springs. Previously, the school has used the Territory’s locally developed teaching standards. Now, Ross Park Primary School is using the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. The teacher has been at the school for four years and currently teaches a Transition/year 1 class. She has negotiated a number of goals with her principal at the start of the year. These have been aligned with the focus areas and descriptors of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.