positive relationships
I believe communication and maintaining positive relationships are central to effective professional teaching and learning. Teachers need to be accepting of individual differences, open to ideas, stay up to date with students lives and involve the wider school community as each of these factors ultimately creates a friendlier environment where maximum learning can take place.
PARENTS I believe in a 3 way system where the student, parents and teacher regularly interact through various forms of communication about the student within and outside of school. Parents need to know what is happening in school as much as the teacher needs to know what is happening outside of school, in knowing this, appropriate actions can be made to cater for the students needs which essentially contributes to effective learning. Teacher/Parent communication can occur through: -Student diaries -Classroom newsletters -Email and phone conversations -Meetings and Interviews -Conversations before and after school -Parent helpers I have worked with parents in reading groups, on excursions and in sporting teams. "Parents accepted Kara as a part of the teaching team" -N. Dowell, Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School, 2013 |
STUDENTS I interact with my students in such a way that makes them feel safe and important. I communicate with them as individuals in order to develop awareness of their funds of knowledge, interests and personality traits. I believe it is important to always listen, respond and to relate to students in order to develop strong and positive relationships as this helps to create a warmer classroom environment where students like to be. Teacher/Student relationships are enhanced through: -Consistent/Open conversations -Listening to concerns, questions, suggestions and stories. -Respecting - friendliness, fairness and boundaries. -Student centered learning I take the time to get to know each student as an individual, I make them feel valued and respected and I allow them choice in classroom dynamics and activities. "Kara developed a supportive and positive relationship with all of the girls" - C. Verhees, Maningrida Community Education Centre, 2012 |
STAFF
I believe teaching is a team orientated career where teachers share information, resources and experiences and work together to assess and plan in order to develop skills and knowledge to enhance their teaching which essentially enhances student learning. I have worked with various staff members where we have discussed areas of strength and areas in need of improvement in my lesson planning and execution. I take their feedback and advice on board in order to improve my practice. "Kara asked other staff members for advice...When giving Kara advice she was very responsive and asked many follow up questions. She was keen to improve and honest about the areas she most needed to practice" -C. Verhees, Maningrida Community Education Centre, 2012 |
COMMUNITY
Teachers do not know everything and their knowledge and skills can be enhanced through interactions with external professionals in the community. I will always be open and welcoming to the views, ideas and knowledge that external professionals and community members have in order to develop my knowledge and to enhance the learning for students. Relationships with community members enhance teaching and learning through: -Developing knowledge on specific topics -Professional development for teachers -Performances -Relevance of classroom learning to the real world |
LINKS TO THE AITSL STANDARDS FOR GRADUATE TEACHERS:
Standard 3.7: Describe a broad range of strategies for involving parents/carers in the educative process.
Standard 4.1: Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
Standard 4.4: Describe strategies that support students' wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.
Standard 7.3: Understand strategies for working effectively, sensitively and confidentially with parents/carers.
Standard 7.4: Understand the role of external professionals and community representatives in broadening teachers' professional knowledge and practice.
Standard 4.1: Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
Standard 4.4: Describe strategies that support students' wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.
Standard 7.3: Understand strategies for working effectively, sensitively and confidentially with parents/carers.
Standard 7.4: Understand the role of external professionals and community representatives in broadening teachers' professional knowledge and practice.