A wonderful opportunity

DANIELLE BLANCH gives her thumbs up to the Beginning Teachers Conferences.

We have all been in the position of a beginning teacher so can relate to the both enlightening and challenging aspects of this new experience.

Federation offers a wonderful opportunity for members in their first two years of teaching, be it in a full time, temporary or casual capacity, in the form of Beginning Teacher Conferences which are held at various locations around NSW each year.

I experienced my first Beginning Teachers Conference in Bundanoon, in the Southern Highlands. I headed down there one Friday, after school late in term 1, ready for a much needed break after an exhausting start to my teaching career.

First and foremost the weekend provides a unique chance to meet other teachers and share your experiences, both good and bad. It's a great way to catch up with friends from your university course who you don't see that often due to the nature of the job.

Officers from Federation, all of whom have been teachers before working for the union so they understand what it means to be a beginning teacher, are there to share their knowledge and insight into how the system works. Also there are teachers in the New Educators Network (NEN), who are fairly new in their careers themselves.

There are speakers from the Department who speak on staffing issues, the probationary year and New Scheme teachers.

At the Bundanoon conference I attended, by far the most beneficial session, although they are all worthwhile, was the programming session. This is a chance for teachers in like-teaching areas to get - together and compare teaching ideas, such as what works and what doesn't.

All in all this Conference is a "must do" in your introduction to life as a teacher. The benefits will outweigh any time constraints you have by far.

I can't speak for all Conference locations but if you come to Bundanoon be sure to ask about the local pie shop.

Danielle Blanch is a Project Officer.

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Last Modified: 22 Feb 2007