Debra Cox

Dependable Teacher with success providing educational assistance and instruction to various levels of learners. Committed to providing students with necessary tools to achieve academic goals, instilling love of learning and cooperative teamwork.

Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the ability to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated experience in responding to student learning needs.

Throughout the year at Alexandra Primary School I have been assisting with the formulation of term and weekly planners using the Victorian curriculum as a basis for planning, teaching and assessment, thus providing;

1. Relevant standards in numeracy and literacy.

2. Relevant assessment to ascertain progress.

Students learn in a variety of ways. It is important to identify differing strategies and apply flexible programs which not only fit into the educational framework but allows the individual student to progress and develop according to their abilities and aptitude.

Throughout the year in my 1/2 class I have made a concerted effort to identify which students need a more structured hands on approach utilizing focused attention in small group settings, to students whose learning is promoted by independent investigation and those which need to be extended with accelerated learning.

All students should feel supported and successful and valuable participants to the classroom. Effective teaching begins with the collaboration between the teacher and the student.

Demonstrated experience in planning for and implementing high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluating the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth.

Students understanding and learning can be dictated by many outside influences. Having the teaching ability to be flexible during the implementation of lesson plans and activities promotes successful learning outcomes.

Whilst working in the grade 1/2 room at Alexandra Primary School I have developed high impact teaching strategies by providing;

1. Goal Setting.

2. W.A.L.T., W.I.L.F., T.I.B.

3. Sharing learned Knowledge.

4. Empowering students to direct/own their learning.

5. Teacher/Peer observations.

6. Feedback obtained by small group and whole group conferencing.

Demonstrated experience in monitoring and assessing student learning. Demonstrated experience in using data to inform teaching practice and providing feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

During my time teaching grade 1/2 at Alexandra Primary School I implemented several strategies to collect data, enabling me to provice feedback on student learning and growth achievements. These strategies include;

1. Anecdotal note taking.

2. Formal data tracking provided by the Victorian Curriculum Guidelines - numeracy and literacy.

3. Continuum trackers in Sentral for both parents and teachers.

4. Pre-testing before units of work, ongoing assessment and post testing.

5. Fluidity of learning between topics which naturally correlate to provide anecdotal evidence of situational learning.

During my time in the classroom I have provided reading awards to the students as they progress with their Cafe and reading conferences. I routinely test my students in both literacy and numeracy in order to gauge their individual progress. I upload these results into the continuum tracker which has allowed me to provide feedback to families via formal and informal parent teacher interviews as well as student reports.

Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.

Throughout my tenure at Alexandra Primary School and my experience as a small business owner I believe that in order to be successful it is paramount to establish and maintain strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders along with the broader community. Constructive, concise and clear communication is key to forming beneficial and collaborative relationships.

Inclusive learning is very important to become an effective teacher. I not only need to have the ability to teach my students but also to allow them to show me how they want to be taught. I do this through empathy and compassion and a highly developed ability to listen and share information in a variety of differing ways dependant upon the needs of my students. I actively encourage parental involvement and am confident in approaching my peers for advice and strategies to best facilitate a positive outcome for my students.

Demonstrated behaviors and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated experience in reflecting upon practice and engaging in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.

The current educational landscape is broad and complex. In order to keep up to date with the current teaching practices I have availed myself of the opportunities given to me at the Alexandra Primary School to engage in personal development in both numeracy and literacy. I have completed the Level 2 First Aid Course and the anaphylaxis program. I will continue to commit to my personal development as it is one of my core values and in line with Departmental guidelines. I strive towards implementing strategies which encourage responsibility, integrity, respectful leadership and empathetic communication.

Being accountable to not only myself but to my students, peers and supervisors drives me to continue developing my skills. I believe it is incumbent upon me as a current casual relief teacher to have the most up to date skills, allowing me to be a more effective and valuable member of the team. Learning is a lifelong endeavour.

Paula Calafiore

Teacher and Intervention Specialist

Mirboo North Primary School

Balook Street

Mirboo North

(03) 56681375

0438682114

Naomi Davies

Alexandra Primary School

Webster Street

Alexandra

(03) 57721006

0427487691