As I reflect on my teaching career thus far, I recall many challenges, frustrations and thoughts of Why did I get into this career! Surely there is something better out there!. Alongside moments fraught with difficulty, there have been many stand out experiences and days when I drive out of the school carpark thinking I feel so lucky to be able to do this. This is so fulfilling. 

I think this is partly because I am a learner at heart. I love to try new things, find out how to conquer an unknown, and if I don’t know how to do something that needs to be done, surely I can figure it out. I see endless possibilities and opportunities in life if you are just open to learning. After promising my family that yes, I was done with university study, I enrolled into the Masters of Teacher Librarianship course. Outwardly they are very supportive, although I am sure there are a few inward groans every now and then. During this particular module of study I have been challenged about my current practice and what I could do to improve this to achieve Highly Accomplished or Lead teacher stage.

Some might say that the title doesn’t matter, it is what you do in the classroom each day for the students. I believe this too. For many years I have said that applying for higher levels of teacher accreditation was a waste of my time and money and that it wouldn’t change the outcomes for my students. In some ways, part of this still rings true, but I also have a new perspective. During Module 2.1, I investigated many of the resources on the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL,2017) site. A particular resource caught my eye, detailing how a teacher at an Accomplished stage of teaching, not only works in best practice in their own classroom, but leads and resources other teachers. This struck me as I realised that I could make more of a difference if I challenged myself to improve my skills and abilities in order to further equip other teachers, in turn impacting more students.

As a teacher sitting at a Proficient level currently, I believe that I select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning (Standard 3.4, AITSL, 2017) I regularly apply a wide range of resources in my classroom, such as audio and video examples, collaborative learning materials that give students opportunities to demonstrate knowledge through different skills and curate resources that represent a variety of perspectives. If I was to expand my skills in this particular standard to the Highly Accomplished stage, it would require me to Assist colleagues to create, select and use a wide range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning (Standard 3.2, AITSL, 2017) This would require me to perhaps engage in some professional learning about how to share and transfer knowledge to others, how to create sequenced learning paths for colleagues to learn new skills, such as learning how to use a new online program or resource and how to lead others in a positive and respectful way.

I feel challenge to take further steps in my career – perhaps when the Masters course is done though!

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited (2017) Professional Practice in Australian Professional Standards for Teachers; Proficient Career Stage. https://www.aitsl.edu.au/standards/proficient