The aims of the project are to
Have consistent understanding of how to use the Registered Teacher Criteria as standards for gaining and maintaining full registration
Improve appraisal practices in ECE settings, schools and kura
Provide support to professional leaders working with the Registered Teacher Criteria.
We (Kaye and I) have joined Phase 2 of the project – phase one was completed a few years ago which Kaye completed.
The day ....
Before I started the course I had done a bit of work looking at the RTC and trying to get my head around ‘evidence’. I had looked at portfolios other teachers had compiled, taken part in numerous online discussions and had a google. Every person I talked to and every portfolio I looked at were so different. Different schools had different expectations and teachers (of course) had interpreted the guidelines in all sorts of different ways.
My ‘Big Question’ for the day was …
Evidence?!?! How?!?! What ?!?! I have seen all sorts so what is actually expected.
My goal for “The Project” …. (we wrote these at the course)
By the end of the project I will have begun to collate evidence so that I can help others to do the same.
Ideally I would create an electronic portfolio so that others can set up similar things. Setting up the electronic bits will be the challenge as it needs to be something that everyone at school can do. Like all schools the technical skills on our staff are varied. But I am keen to give it my best shot.
One of the first things we did was discuss the 12 core elements of employess engagement (Buckingham and Coffman, 1999 – First Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently) – Research has proven these 12 things are essential. I had a quick read and a few popped out in my head as .. missing. I don’t know if ‘missing’ is the right word but a couple of things on the list stood out as obvious things that we could work on at school.
One of the key messages for the day was that is teachers responsibility to keep up with the profession. It is not ‘those aboves’ job .. teachers need to be professionals and keep up themselves, they shouldn’t need to be ‘fed’
One of the most useful exercises of the day was highlighting the key words in each of the 12 criteria. It made them seem ‘doable’ it removed the ‘waffle’
1 – professional relationships
2 – well-being
3 - bicultural partnership
4 – ongoing professional learning
5 – leadership
6 - appropriate learning programme
7 - inclusive learning environment
8 – knowledge and understanding of how akonga learn
9 – diverse language and cultural experiences
10 bicultural context
11- analyse, appropriately use assessment information – formally and informally
12 –critical inquiry – professional practice
I am sure that in the past I have looked at Tataiako but looking at it today after doing the work we did made me read it with fresh eyes. I was impressed with how ‘user friendly’ it seemed. It was written so tired teachers could read it late at night and not get a headache. Those kind of things make tired teachers like me smile. I liked how each section was linked to a variety of RTC … it helped me realise I am doing the RTCs in my daily classroom life – I would not have to go ‘hunting’ and do ‘creative writing’ I was doing things everyday.
The last activity for the afternoon was reading the stories that could be used as evidence. These stories supported by evidence are the making of a portfolio. They made it real. Reading these and listening to the speakers made me really think that this could be done, not just by me but by all teachers. Yes it is another ‘job’ and I really believe schools need to set aside time for teachers to complete it. One set staff meeting with a bowl of lollies each term to give teachers time to do it. Teachers may not get them written in that time but it gives everyone a fair chance to sit down and get something done. It will stop the job of doing them always getting pushed to the bottom of the pile because something else comes up etc, followed by the mad panic of rego being due and not having much done. Schools, and those above need to realise that teachers are already frazzled and this is just another ‘thing’ to do on top of an extremely busy and hectic work load. Supporting teachers by providing set time to complete it can only be seen as a positive for all. Teachers feel supported, Principals know it is actually being done, Teachers Council are happy!
I’m looking forward to the next session on the 2 July. I’m looking forward to writing my stories (sad but true) I’m looking forward to everyone getting on board and getting started …. One less thing off everybody’s ‘must do’ list.
This fits the following criteria.
4 Professional Learning
5 Leadership ... This will lead to me leading others and helping them create a portfolio
12 Critical Inquiry - Compiling my portfolio will force me to do critical inquiry .. it is human nature to think as you do.
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