Standard 7 Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and community
Standard 7 Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and community
Situation year six class in a middle socioeconomic area. There are twenty-seven students with diverse backgrounds. No Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, three with ESL/D and four with behaviour management plans. I started in this class at the beginning of the school year.
Task is to introduce myself to parents/carers so that they are aware of why I am at the school and a small amount of information about me (Artifact 5). I listed some of my favourite things and included some pictures of myself and my pets for some colour and flare and to make it feel more friendly than a sterile letter. This letter was done in word and then sent via email to parents from the teacher’s email address. It is important to keep up communication with parents and caregivers so that you can have a good rapport with them when it comes time to discussing their child’s learning and behaviour (NSW Government. 2021).
Action I wrote up my letter to introduce myself to the parents/caregivers and showed it to my mentor teacher who approved it and sent it through to the parents/caregivers in my first week. I did a power point presentation to introduce myself to the students on my first day of school.
Result Some of the parents/caregivers felt comfortable talking to me and introduce themselves to me and ask me questions about the lessons I’d be teaching. This was encouraging that they felt comfortable enough to engage with me and the teacher also received comments about me from parents/caregivers from what the students had told them when they went home about their days.
Reference
NSW Government. 2021. Teacher Guide to Parent-Teacher Communication. NSW Government Education Website. Teacher guide to parent-teacher communication (nsw.gov.au)
Integrity in Practice
My understanding of the Code of Conduct is that it outlays my responsibilities as a teacher and keeps me accountable and transparent. It allows for development of professional relationships and helps professional and personal decision making. The Code of Conduct helps with principles of the workplace for a teacher as well as gives the standard of conduct and values. It tells us not to pursue friendships with students or parents outside of school as it could influence the way others perceive the way you treat said people as showing favouritism. My behaviour outside of school can reflect poorly on the school if inappropriate behaviour is engaged in a social setting. You are always a teacher.
Appropriate communication insists on no social media connection to parents/caregivers or students so don’t go looking to friend on facebook or follow on Instagram. It is a good idea to not comment on or give any views that could reflect back on the school or the department of education. You are required to change your settings on social media so that parents/students cannot see your posts and therefore no personal interaction can be assumed. It is absolutely vital that no confidential information be shared.
Conflicts of Interest should be declared and adhere to the Code of Conduct. There are different perspectives and what I see and what people outside the school community might see could be completely opposite so being open and honest up front is key. Discuss with the principal any management of conflict of interest plans. It is up to the individual to maintain conflict of interest management plans and to always notify any conflict of interests that come up.
Gifts can be tricky, there is always the parents who like to give end of year Christmas gifts to their child’s teacher and this is fine just declare them. It is important that you do not accept gifts in the first or second terms of the year as it could influence they way in which you treat a student. Information management and privacy means always locking your computer when you are not at it, not sharing confidential information so be on top of who can and can’t be contacted for a student. Do not repeat any confidential information overheard and don’t leave items at the printer.
Appropriate use of resources means that you do not use school supplies for personal use. Workplace standards include how you present yourself, being mindful of what you say in the lunch room, keeping your registration up to date. With regards to harassment and bullying just think would I like this said/done to me. Check if the department has a policy or procedure for what you’re about to deal with.
OneSchool
The individual student profile consists of information such as enrolment, absenteeism, behaviour records, student support, academic reports and a of any contact with parents. This is important because a teacher can build their own profile of the student and therefore make their own opinions and ideas about the student. I believe each student should get a blank slate daily so they don’t think they are a bad kid but just someone who needs a chance to prove themselves. Being able to see if a student is absent a lot or not is a good idea as there may be a pattern (for example they’re only away or late due to not liking a subject being taught) this can then be addressed with the parent/caregiver.
The Class dashboard is a great place to see the progress a student is doing by comparing current and previous year testing data, allows for behaviour patterns to be monitored and addressed accordingly. Looking at the information as a whole will allow for teacher/principal and teacher parent conversations about students as required. It is consistent, efficient and effective.
Strategies for Success for Beginning Teachers – Teacher Learning Centre
This video on Success for Beginning Teachers revealed some good strategies that I will definitely implement in my teaching strategy. The 4 Fs (Fair, Firm, Friendly, Fun) is a great way to use equity of teaching rather than equality, no favouritism, consistent behaviour consequences, be approachable and friendly and make lessons fun where possible.
The mindset of a student has a big effect on their ability to learn. Having a growth mindset allows for better motivation which leads to greater achievement. If I makes the teaching relatable there will be more engagement and makes for a more positive atmosphere (giving praise where praise is due will help with a growth mindset).
The wellbeing of a student and the teacher is very important as it effects physical, financial, occupational, psychological and social and community engagement. A Positive environment leads to happier learners, if a student knows their Maslow needs are being met they will be more inclined to be ready for Blooms Taxonomy.
Building relationships with adults (colleagues/ community members) is a great way to help me with my wellbeing. Knowing who you can talk to when something is not going right. Knowing your own triggers so I can keep myself in check, working on my communication skills and self-management, also skilfully using common strategies with adults as I do my students.
Strategies to Survive and Thrive in your first year of teaching
Using coping strategies that help me cope with work life balance such as setting personal boundaries will help me not to burn out. Knowing who I can turn to, to ask for help when I feel overwhelmed is key, I am not in this alone. Direct action includes self reflection and knowing where I went wrong and how to change it for next time. Professional development is a good place to look for help too, or there maybe something that I am interested in that could help me later on. Depersonalising things can help such as it’s not me it’s them even though I am accountable for learning and behaviour I can chock it up to a bad day on a certain student’s day. Avoidance behaviours are something for me to watch out for especially if I want to drink more than I would normally which isn’t very often as this is not a coping mechanism that is healthy. Build up community rapport so that I want to spend time in my school’s local community which may also be the community I live in.
