Organisation: NSW Department of Education
Job Title: Teacher
Location: Emu Heights
I would like to apply for the teaching position at Emu Heights Public School. As a qualified and experienced teacher, currently working on a casual basis, I am looking for a permanent role, where I can make a positive contribution to teaching and learning, by providing excellent pedagogical practice. Passionate about supporting children to cultivate a love of learning, and develop to their potential using a variety of learning experiences, I have highly effective skills in lesson development, assessment, and working collaboratively with colleagues. I have 4 years of experience working with a range of year levels, in temporary and casual roles, including in K-2, my enthusiastic and dedicated approach facilitates high levels of student engagement, resulting in the achievement of excellent outcomes.
Approval to teach K-6 with a focus on K-2: As a graduate from the University of New England (Armidale), with a Bachelor of General Studies/Bachelor of Teaching, I am a qualified and accredited teacher, with experience working across all stages, as well as in Special Education, and the Library. Currently at York Public School, I have taught a range of classes including Kindergarten, and have demonstrated ability in developing highly engaging and differentiated programs, ensuring providing to each student, opportunities to achieve their potential. Also currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Special Education, I have developed effective classroom practices, in which I successfully plan, teach, assess, support, and guide students using relevant curriculum documents to determine subsequent learning based on observations, and evaluation of student attainment. My experience will provide students with a high quality, inclusive and supportive learning environment, which gives each learner access to opportunities to experience success, and develop confidently.
Demonstrated excellence in classroom teaching practice, with the ability to develop and deliver high quality, differentiated teaching and learning programs in literacy and numeracy: I have gained experience in developing highly engaging, and differentiated programs through temporary roles. I ensure each student is given opportunities to achieve their potential, by focusing on the whole student, seeking to understand each child, and supporting them to be a successful learner. I have engaged students, and provided differentiation in literacy and numeracy through: explicit teaching, levelled groupings, modelled, guided, and independent reading, and writing, building on student interests, and providing an integrated curriculum, including the modification of content and requirements, enabling all students to access tasks. Assessment enables me to gain a clear understanding of where each student has come from, where he or she are currently, and how I can extend his or her learning. I have used evidence gained through rich tasks to document student understanding and development. Furthermore, by implementing tailored learning and behaviour plans, in collaboration with specialists, support staff, and parents, my pedagogical skills provide students with opportunities to succeed and progress. I have followed school and department protocols and procedures, including the completion of risk assessments, and checking procedures when supervising students on out of school events. I have completed numerous professional development courses regarding the learner in the new curriculum, including Focus on Reading, Tens, and L3, and I am able to provide quality-learning opportunities, that reflect current educational strategies and directions. By developing an effective, engaging curriculum, that is responsive to the needs of each student, I will ensure all learners experience success within a supportive and challenging environment.
Demonstrated capacity for the innovative use of technology to engage learners in the classroom and integrate 21st Century learning skills into teaching and learning programs: The integration of technology in pedagogy provides for a range of learning experiences, providing new opportunities to personalise learning, and increase engagement, whilst preparing students for the demands of an increasingly technological world. As a confident and experienced technology user, I have integrated a variety of information and communication technology (ICT) devices within my classroom. Providing students with opportunities to reinforce, enhance, and extend their learning by assisting colleagues to use technology through informal professional development, implementing the use of iPads, and interactive whiteboards (IWB) on a daily basis, and using a variety of software programs to enhance teaching, and learning. Innovative use of technology has enabled students to make stop-motion animations using iPads, use PowerPoint for project presentations, IWBs in literacy rotations to enhance and reinforce skills, and to use iPads to record themselves reading for the purpose of providing feedback through peer, and self-assessment. My ability to utilise technology in interesting and purposeful ways results in enhanced programs where students are further engaged in learning experiences, supporting them to become critical and creative thinkers.
Highly developed and effective communication skills with the capacity to foster a love of learning, work collaboratively as part of a team and build positive relationships with staff, students, parents, and the community: Engaging in open communication, and developing positive relationships, is at the core of what drives an effective classroom and school environment. With a strong sense of community and team spirit, my communication skills enable me to interact positively with colleagues, students, parents, and the wider school community. To facilitate effective communication with students, I convey instructions clearly, create a fair classroom, provide meaningful feedback, use meaningful examples, provide clear objectives, and encourage positive, pro-social behaviours. I work in partnership with parents, ensuring their child is reaching their maximum potential, and provide regular updates on their child’s progress. Working collaboratively with colleagues enables the sharing of ideas and strategies, and facilitates a supportive, positive working environment. Being a casual teacher it is imperative I communicate clearly with the permanent staff, to keep them up-to-date with behaviour, and classroom management. Involving the wider community with school events has helped numerous sporting and performing arts events achieve greater success, providing students with additional opportunities to display their talents. Effective communication helps to build positive relationships, create a quality-learning environment, and I will continue to show that I am friendly, approachable, understanding, flexible, and dynamic.
Demnstrated skills to teach and enhance music and dance programs: With experience organising whole school talent shows, performing arts showcases, and assembly items, I have demonstrated skills in providing students with opportunities to develop physical and musical skills, sequential learning, listening, following instructions, as well as social skills through music and dance. I have created a unit of work for dance and music – Body Percussion and Movement. Implementing it across stage 2, and have choreographed numerous class items for assemblies, year 6 modern dance, and display performances. Students in my class have also participated in the ‘Music: Count Us In program’. I lead by example, demonstrating practical skills, and providing encouragement and feedback, so students know how to improve their performance. With proactive organisational skills, and the experience of successful involvement in a range of events, I am committed to providing opportunities for students to have access to a range of high quality extracurricular experiences.
I look forward to being a part of a caring, collaborative learning community that ensures student needs are promptly identified, and responded to accordingly. Thank you for your time and effort in considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further my suitability for this position in an interview.
