Teacher-centred courses announced

By

John Dixon

Federation has joined with the University of Sydney to provide professional development courses for teachers.

Federation is concerned that some of the continuing professional development providers seem more interested in making money as a commercial venture than addressing the needs of teachers, so the union is piloting a joint venture with the University of Sydney to provide "teacher-centred' professional development to meet the needs of both those teachers in mentoring/coaching/supervisor positions and those recently endorsed by the NSW Institute as 'professionally competent'.

The University of Sydney's Education faculty has a formidable reputation and history in the training of teachers in NSW and the providing of additional training opportunities and higher degrees for teachers. Federation has had its Trade Union Training school operating for over 30 years providing training in industrial/professional issues for activists.

This joint venture aims to combine the expertise of both organisations that is teacher-centred and responsive to the changing needs of our members independent of the mandated requirements of the Department of Education and Training or the Government.

In NSW, 'New Scheme teachers' who achieve professional competency have to complete 100 hours of continuing professional development in five years to maintain their accreditation.

Other teachers seeking leadership positions into the future will be interested in their continuing professional development over the next few years as the NSW Institute and the Quality Teaching Council finalise the further key stages of 'Professional Accomplishment' and 'Professional Leadership'.

For course participants it will be possible to access the University of Sydney's extensive Continuing Professional Development programs and this course can articulate to higher qualifications.

The plan for 2008 is to initially offer two courses.

The first course is designed for school leaders, early career teachers, experienced teachers who are involved in "supervision" and mentoring, and all teachers interested in ongoing professional learning around mentoring.

The day long course aims to address changing concepts of teacher induction, internships, mentoring and coaching alongside the professional socialisation of teachers, the notion of lifelong learning and the current accreditation context.

This course is particularly designed if you are supervising a student teacher on 'prac teaching' or involved in an internship with graduating teachers.

Presenters and workshop facilitators will include experienced mentors, early career teachers and teacher educators. A critical review of relevant literature and research will be introduced to facilitate discussion about concrete issues in specific contexts using case studies.

The course articulates with a post-graduate course unit offered by the Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney. The Division of Professional Learning is endorsed as a provider of Institute Registered continuing professional development with the NSW Institute of Teachers.

The cost of the professional development day is $50. Participants will be provided with lunch.

The course will be held on March 28 at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre.

A registration form for this course can be found at http://www.nswtf.org.au/general/pro_dev.html.

For those teachers who require accommodation, Federation can arrange accommodation at a nearby hotel, at very attractive rates, and have the teacher invoiced direct. If you require accommodation please contact Federation's travel coordinator.

The second course is designed for early career teachers and will focus on issues raised by members in beginning teacher conferences constantly - those of behaviour management and classroom management. This course will run later in the year at a date to be fixed. Information will be posted on the new section of the Federation's website Professional Development at http://www.nswtf.org.au/general/pro_dev.html.

Both the University of Sydney and the Federation are committed to developing a program of courses that can be offered right across NSW to teachers in a variety of formats.

John Dixon is Assistant General Secretary (Communications and Administration).

For further information

March 2008 contents