Organisation: Department of Education
Job Title: Teacher – Primary
Location: Harrisdale
A compassionate, proactive and community-focused individual with a desire to make a difference to the lives of others, I write with interest to be considered for the Teacher – Primary appointment pool available at Harrisdale Primary Independent Public School (Harrisdale Primary School). Enthusiastic to uphold and promote your vision, I understand that Harrisdale Primary School elevates its philosophy of excellence through an engaging, holistic and student-focused approach to learning. As a committed educator, I. embrace the opportunity to work within a whole school approach environment that affords teachers with connected practice and contemporary programs that promote exploration, innovation and excellence.
As a dynamic, highly motivated and committed individual, I am confident that I would make a valuable contribution as a Teacher at Harrisdale Primary School due to my sound ability to assess, reflect and develop inclusive frameworks that encourage achievement by all students. Understanding that students learn in diverse ways, I acknowledge that is the responsibility of an effective teacher to be adaptive and show initiative in encompassing these learning styles within a classroom. Firm in the belief that all students have the capacity and desire to learn, I am committed to impart the tools and means to excel within an open, inclusive and collaborative school community.
Supported by my experience as a Relief Teacher, I have incorporated into my teaching style the principles of providing students with tasks that have a balance between being challenging and yet still being achievable. As a classroom teacher, I have enhanced my skills through opportunities to observe and absorb many teaching styles and strategies, which I carry with me into the classroom. Teaching requires an ongoing willingness to learn, I am very eager to encompass the shared belief with Harrisdale Primary School and learn not only from my colleagues but also from lecturers, students and the wider community, through the promoted review and reflect of our own, and others school philosophy.
Committed to ongoing professional development and lifelong learning, I have recently completed a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education at Curtin University, covering all subjects from Years 1 to 7. During my university studies, I achieved excellent academic results, including numerous Credit, Distinction and High Distinction Grades. Additionally focusing on working with students with special needs as part of my industry learning, I have completed a Diploma of Education Support, facilitated through Polytechnic West in 2011 and a Certificate IV and Certificate III in Education Support via Polytechnic West in 2010. Throughout my university studies and practical experience, I have researched and gained an excellent understanding of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, which outline the significant responsibility in preparing young people to lead successful and productive lives.
Possessing a passion to commence my education journey, I am passionate in providing an environment where all students optimise their learning journey and committed to promoting an atmosphere of happy, safe, supported and valued within the students to inspire them to make confident and smart choices. Recently invited to attend a promotional focused afternoon with Harrisdale Primary School, I was inspired when speaking with the school community, primarily future parents of students, in the ideology of the schools mission and best practice approaches that promote high quality and innovative teaching that will support each student to achieve to their potential. Through my personal understanding of the vision of Harrisdale Primary School, I will strive to encompass and encourage your philosophy “Strong, Smart, Successful” and possess the firm belief that a strong focus on whole school approach with connected practice based on smart decisions will ensure successful students.
As a student teacher at Yale Primary School, Kindergarten through to Year 7, I was faced with a variety of ability levels and understandings across the class. In a classroom with students of such diverse learning needs, it was necessary for me to design lessons that not only catered to the students that were achieving at mid-level, but also those that were excelling and those who were not achieving. Acknowledging that each student learns in a different way and at a different pace, I provided the class with material that was interesting and challenging to develop confidence and the desire for life-long learning. To cater for the needs of a culturally diverse group of students, I prepared a vast array of teaching methods and structures such as, group projects, student portfolios and class participation and innovative 21st Century teaching tools.
Through this internship, I received the following commendation from my Mentor Teacher Rachel Kealley at Yale Primary School;
“Dillon has a very solid understanding of the Australian Curriculum and how to link it to teaching, learning strategies and content. His planning is of a very high standard, it stated explicit objectives and he showed a clear understanding of teaching and the learning cycle. Dillon gave very explicit instructions and always checked for understanding. He was very good at giving students ‘think time’ and making sure every student had the opportunity to get involved and to answer questions. Dillon is very mindful of the diverse range of cultures and backgrounds in the class. Throughout the whole term, he has shown respect and inclusivity in those beliefs.”
Throughout my practicum placements, I demonstrated a capacity to work with colleagues in team teaching. Personally, I put great emphasis on sharing ideas, collaborating with staff, and providing information and resources to help develop and create a college wide approach to continually improve teaching and learning. When planning for individual learning styles and effective, responsive teaching within a learning environment, I endeavour to employ numerous strategies to successfully cater for all diversities. As a graduate teacher in Harrisdale Primary School, I would strive to further develop my skills and understanding of catering for diversities in learning styles. In a commitment to personal continuous improvement, I am comfortable to seek advice from my fellow colleagues regarding their experiences with this in their classrooms, and would encourage their feedback about my practices and strategies, with no hesitations to trial new approaches that may be suggested and discussed.
Aware that each student learns in a different way and at a different pace, I identify the importance of providing a class with material that is interesting and challenging, so that students can develop confidence and the desire for lifelong learning. To cater for the needs of a culturally diverse group of students, I need to be prepared with a vast array of teaching methods and structures such as, literacy and numeracy blocks, as well as connecting with prior knowledge and small work groups. To assist students with learning, I ensure that the classroom environment is stimulating, engaging and presents extensive resources that can be used for a range of diverse needs. Conscious of the importance of enhancing the knowledge and skills of students, I aim to drive the creation of opportunities for students to learn at their own pace. Confirmation of this is my strong belief that every child should work with a positive attitude and enjoy each challenge presented to them within safe, nurturing and respectful learning environments, to bring out the best in all students
As a Teacher with Harrisdale Primary School, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with fellow highly committed professional teachers. Embracing the school’s values, I will work with a clear focus on developing the ‘whole student’ and supporting the culture of collaboration, strong curriculum, collaborative learning and a values-based education. Working within an Independent School environment, I look forward to working under a model that empowers school communities by giving them greater capacity to shape the ethos, priorities and directions of their schools.
Possessing the understanding of Harrisdale Primary Schools commitment to sustainability programs and interflow between indoor and outdoor lessons, I have validated my dedication at Yale Primary School where I worked in collaboration with a fellow teacher in developing the classroom-recycling program. Achieving the results of engagement from students, I was also successful in the donations of bright coloured recycling bins from the community. Through my successful program delivery, I was recognised for my ability to reduce costs for the school, promote best practices adopted by the school within the community and provided differentiation to student learning through practice exercises.
With a demonstrated commitment and understanding of Explicit Learning methods, I have proven my ability to bring this methodology to the classroom whilst aiming for improving learning. With a sound knowledge through professional development, I have been able to adopt explicit teaching to engage and motivate students by actively involving them in their own learning, setting high expectations, and celebrating success. Committed to implementing and delivering explicit learning at Harrisdale Primary School, I would utilise tools such as “I Do, We Do, You Do”. Understanding that explicit teaching is the repeated checking for students’ understanding of the knowledge and skills taught throughout the lesson, I will ensure that all students experience success, monitor students’ progress and provide them with immediate feedback.
As a professional and approachable educator, I am committed to building and maintaining relationships based pedagogy through the building of relationships with staff, parents and students. With proven effective communication skills, I acknowledge that this is of the highest importance between students, parents and colleagues as it establishes positive relationships and encourages a learning partnership between the school and parents. Demonstrating my strong capabilities in written communication, during my placement at Yale Primary School, I was instrumental in the policy re write of behaviour management within the school setting. The outcome of this displayed my exceptional ability to write to a targeted audience with the student needs at the forefront of policy recommendations.
In recognising that parents, carers and families play an integral role in the education of their children, I support the diversity in the parent and carer community and have selected approaches that reach out to all. By working with parents to optimise student learning and wellbeing, I have facilitated productive partnerships between teachers, parents, carers and students, engaging a range of school-based activities to foster pedagogical relationships. These relationships are unique in that they centre on the guidance and support of the students as they learn and grow as people. Examples of my commitment to this important dynamic in student learning, I coordinated the following sessions at Yale Primary School;
- Engaged with the wider community by inviting a Scitech representative to conduct an incursion topic on fossils. The activity promoted learning abilities under the Science function, whilst I was not required to teach Science, I did this by utilising my duties other than teaching (DOT) time to volunteer the successful coordination of this event for students
- Coordinated whole school day celebrations, particularly when organising an Anzac World War Two veteran to come into class. As a result, the students received an enriched learning opportunity about important aspects of Australian history
- Organised a mother’s day afternoon that provided the opportunity for students to perform activities such as crafts
Developing meaningful and appropriate methods of assessing a student’s learning is an integral element in all levels of education. Utilising the data gathered through formal and informal assessment, I am able to understand and be aware of individual students’ learning progress. With this understanding, I am better able to develop students’ learning ability and enhance the development of my teaching practice. In order to appropriately utilise this data, expectations and learning goals are set in an explicit and open manner. Additionally, reflexivity and awareness of the students’ past knowledge and classroom dynamic need to be observed. Due of this, assessment and the collection of student data works best when it is varied, continuous and cumulative which allows the monitoring and fostering of student development at a higher level.
During my internship at Yale Primary School, I was involved in the Australian Council for Educational Research Online Assessment and Reporting that provided ongoing assessments after completions of units where I would provide summative assessments on students. Understanding the learning data is not just my ability to interpret it, but to use this knowledge as a vehicle to further develop students. Regardless of the chosen method area or students that I am working with, I aim to deliver and use assessments in the same manner in which I plan to drive the content to students: meaningful, engaging and relevant, whilst keeping in line with curriculum standards and outcomes.
Embracing the underlying values of Harrisdale Primary School, I will exhibit at all times dignity and respect for students, forming a supportive environment for all students to thrive. Enthusiastic about working with Harrisdale Primary School and its shared vision of being at the forefront of innovation in education ensuring every child achieves their potential. Understanding the importance of working ethically, collaborating with colleagues, external professional and community representatives, and contributing to the life of the school, I will strive to excel at strategies for working effectively, sensitively and confidentially with parents and carers, and recognise their role in their children’s education at Harrisdale Primary School.
