Deborah Gowthorp
Hervey Bay,QLD
Summary
I am a detail-oriented team player with strong organisational skills. I have the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
I spent several years as a supply (casual) teacher in NSW at the start of my career. I know how challenging this work is, and yet day-to-day relief staff play a vital part in the education system as a whole.
I am retiring and will be able to work as needed in Tasmania.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Department Curriculum
Education Qld
06.2021 - Current
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines and supported staff in faculty.
- Supported staff to be confident in their work as faculty underwent major change.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Upheld a case load of students across Year 7 as their Case Manager. Acted as school liaison between students, staff, parents and caregivers and external agencies.
- Led PBL across the school.
Head of Department: Junior Secondary
Education Qld
03.2013 - 05.2021
- Along with with DP, I led the change to Junior Secondary education in Queensland - the largest systemic change in over 40 years at that time.
- As Year 7 students were integrated in to secondary schooling, I led community and carer meetings to ensure the small community understood the changes.
- I led staff through this change and supported their PD, identifying each one's strengths.
- I wrote the 3 levels of planning CARF documents as ACARA was unpacked across Queensland. I wrote the English documents and managed the writing of Humanities and The Arts.
- I ran all transition days in Term 4 each year, visiting feeder schools and collating information on each student who was enrolling in Year 7 the following year. This ensured as easy a transition as possible.
- The new Queensland Senior Syllabus was implemented and rolled out in 2020. I was in charge of the rollout for English, The Arts and Humanities. Training continued over a couple of years as staff prepared for their first external examinations. I was well - placed to offer support, coming as I had originally from NSW where this jurisdiction had always culminated in the Higher School Certificate.
- All the changes that ensured through the above, strengthened my communication skills through regular necessary interactions with others.
Head Teacher
NSW Department Of Education
01.2007 - 12.2012
- As Head Teacher Mentor, I supported student teachers by mentoring on classroom management, lesson planning, and activity organization.
- I supported all beginning teachers through to their new registration as NSW established a college of teachers.
- I demonstrated lesson which incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- I consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- I worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans.
- I worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators, and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- I taught all levels of both senior and junior English.
Classroom Teacher
NSW Department Of Education
01.1993 - 12.2006
- Planned lessons, activities and trips to cover all required course material.
- Conducted evaluations to measure performance and progress of students, providing guidance for areas requiring improvement.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Established and enforced rules of behaviour to drive social development and maintain positive interactions.
- Supported student teachers by mentoring on classroom management, lesson planning, and activity organization.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
Education
Graduate Diploma in Education - Secondary
Charles Sturt University
Bathurst, NSW12.1992
Bachelor of Arts - Double Major English Literature And Drama
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSW08.1985
Skills
- Curriculum Writing
- National Curriculum
- Curriculum and Lesson Plan Development
- Department Head
- Curriculum Review and Lesson Preparation
Additional Information
After a long and successful career, I will be retiring and moving to Tasmania for family reasons. I am very keen to continue my work on a supply basis. I spent several years, early on in my career as a supply (casual) teacher in NSW and I know the challenges that can occur in the role. I also know how vital supply teachers are to the day-to-day running of a school and the need to provide a quality education every day, as every day counts.
Timeline
Head of Department Curriculum
Education Qld
06.2021 - Current
Head of Department: Junior Secondary
Education Qld
03.2013 - 05.2021
Head Teacher
NSW Department Of Education
01.2007 - 12.2012
Classroom Teacher
NSW Department Of Education
01.1993 - 12.2006
Graduate Diploma in Education - Secondary
Charles Sturt University
Bachelor of Arts - Double Major English Literature And Drama
University of Wollongong
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