Professional Development 2021

Along with my regular work as a casual relief teacher, this year so far I've done PD online in Behaviour Management, ADHD and Special Needs, Supporting Students with Anxiety and Depression, and Story Box Library Features and Functionality. I'm also looking forward to a short course about the history of Humane Education, which I'm passionate about... Humane Education teaches kindness, develops empathy, and cultivates compassion toward animals, people, and the natural world. Students gain the knowledge and tools to make more informed and socially responsible choices that counteract real-world problems: Humane Education Coalition; Institute for Humane Education; Heart.

Teachers Learning Network CRT Professional Development

Last week I attended a fabulous online PD session on Managing Challenging Behaviours for CRTs. Jane Langley provided many practical tips and strategies for classroom management. She mentioned how as teachers our number 1 skill is adaptability, and this is surely proven in our efforts now to switch from classroom to online teaching! Over 100 people attended and there were many comments and learnings from others. One of my takeaways is to use a lower tone of voice, speaking slower and less in the classroom.

Casual Relief Teacher!

I'm excited to be working again as a primary school casual relief teacher. It's a great opportunity to hone my classroom management skills and to plan a wide variety of lessons, tricks, and activities to have at the ready for all grade levels.

Teaching Art

Last week I had the great privilege of teaching visual art at a wonderful school in Box Hill North. I taught Foundation through to Year 6 students and they completed some wonderful work. I had some new classroom management ideas to try, including the sign below, which students read while walking into the classroom. We also had lots of fun discussing different types of sculpture or "accumulations" and what makes art, art!