The statistics presented by Kim Kelleway are staggering and disturbing. You are statistically likely to have a students in your classes that have been or are being sexually abused, most commonly by someone they know well. This presentation alerts us to the characteristics of of those students most likely to be targeted and to the approaches predators utilise to undertake this abuse. Kim identified four key messages that teachers can instil in their students to help them protect themselves against such abuse and help them come forward and report should the worst happen.

What are you thoughts on Kim’s message? What do you take away from the presentation that you feel you can implement as a teacher or parent?

This session gives you an overview of working within the Department of Education and looks at some of the support structures you can expect should you begin your career with DoE. There is quite a lot to take in, but Suzie King talks about those community things you need to be comfortable in your first teaching job.

For you, what are those essentials. What or who do you need to be near? What services or activities will you need to have access to? Over the next 6-12 months, you may be in a position where you will be offered a teaching position. What things will help you decide to take the job or not?

This week, Melissa Kinnear, Special Education Teacher at Middle Ridge State School and highly experienced teacher, provides us with a research based insight into what to do and what not to do with your teacher aide. As a beginning teacher, I know I really struggled with making the most of this valuable resource.

What have been some of your experiences on placement, as a parent, or as a teacher aide? What effective or ineffective approaches have you seen?

Teachers are held to a higher standard of behaviour than most other professionals due to the fact that they work closely with a extremely vulnerable group of people….children and adolescents. There are a number of key areas that teachers need to be aware of in relation to The Code and also with respect to the use of social media.

What did you find surprising or challenging in relation to what was presented in this session?

I thought this was a great little session. There was a great deal packed into it, but I took a great deal away, particularly in terms of the resume layout. The simplicity of it really resonated with me. What little gems did you come away with?