Standard 7 – Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community

Evidence:

1) Emails to parents/ carers

2) Letter from the Head of Languages

3) Mentor Teacher Comments

Reflective Commentary:

Teachers have a range of responsibilities that reach far beyond the classroom. I have learnt that it is very important to always act in a professional manner and to create positive relationships with colleagues, parents and students. I have also learnt that it is important to create a ‘paper trail’ so that if misunderstandings do occur, you can show each step you took to resolve the issue. I keep in regular communication with students and parents via Connect and I make a lot of effort to ensure that students know what is expected of them. I regularly seek parental assistance when having any issue with students. I also make an effort to send congratulatory emails to students and their parents to acknowledge students’ effort.

I have now been an active member of the Modern Language Teachers Association of Western Australia (MLTAWA) and the Japanese Language Teachers Association (JLTAWA) for approximately 3 years. I have also participated in a range of extracurricular activities that are such as KAIWA days, that are designed to connect with the community and assist students in developing their language proficiency.

Situation: WACE TIPS is an important part of a statewide PL for students and teachers. It is part of a KIAWA day in which students and teachers from both government and private schools participate in mock speaking exams. The PL is organised by volunteer members of the Japanese Language Teachers Association of WA (JLTAWA) and runs on a Saturday.

Action: Worked in collaboration with another colleague to develop and deliver a presentation on the upcoming WACE exams.

Outcome: On the 16th of September I co-presented the WACE Tips PL to approximately 130 students and 20 teachers from across WA. I hope that our presentation was an important part of our KIAWA day that is designed to help students make their final preparations for the WACE exams.

Future Action Plan: I will assist in developing another WACE Tips presentation that could be delivered purely for teachers early on in the year. I have been gathering data in regards to student errors in WACE over the past few years. I believe that teachers need a better understanding of these statistically significant mistakes and can address this early on by adjusting the types of formative assessments students do throughout Years 10, 11 and 12. I also plan to run a PL in October this year for Educational Assistants (EAs) to develop their skills of supporting Year 11 and Year 12 ATAR students. Specifically helping EAs understand the ATAR marking for the Japanese Practical Test.