Miss Art of Teaching

My high school has partnered with the University of Western Sydney (WSU). We are currently in our early stages of our Professional Learning Project. The project involves professional development using an action research model with topics identified by the teachers. Action research is a process involving enquiry into an important question relating to classroom and school practice. The first step to this project was to complete a survey so that all the 72 teachers including the executives of this school could be separated into groups of similar interest. Teachers were joined by others who have similar wonderings/interest to form project groups. The project groups links to one of the 6 WSU academics with expertise in the group's chosen focus area.  The WSU academic partners will then provide up to 10 hours of support to each group. This includes advice on readings, resources and so forth. I was placed into a group with three other teachers who were interested in Positive Be...

Besides being a classroom teacher and a Year 7 Adviser, I am an advocator for the Positive Behaviour Learning (PBL) team. There are many things that are working successfully at our school such as the ongoing Vivo system for rewarding behavioural expectations, great PBL data results, systems for responding to and managing behaviours. This creates a fun and safe learning environment for everyone. Being part of the PBL team requires me to put in my weight. I volunteer to put posts up on the Facebook page since I am one of the five admins. I re-designed whole school structures for reducing truancy and created a poster that promoted consistent classroom expectations.  I help run the rewards program by asking for monetary and merchandise donations from the school and local community. I maintain the rewards program by frequently updating it with prizes and helping students and staff to reset log in passwords.  Last year I set up a stall with the PBL team leader. W...

While people look for wedding or home inspiration, I am busily working towards my 'Classroom goals'. Decorating my room provides a way for me to de-stress and helps build a safe and fun environment. The students are respectful in this environment. There is hardly any rubbish left behind, the desk and the floor is always clean and there are no missing resources. Some of my inspirations (from 'Relief Teaching Ideas Community' Facebook group and from TYPO):