Using ATAPS to Reflect, Set, and Grow Professionally

The Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards (ATAPS) framework offers a powerful tool for teacher aides to map their professional growth. Whether you’re just beginning your career or already thriving in your role, the ATAPS Professional Growth Map is your guide to deepening your impact in the classroom. 

In this blog, we’ll walk through each of the ATAPS focus areas, prompt reflection, and help you identify your strengths and areas for development. Then, we’ll guide you through how to set SMART goals based on your growth map reflections—so your next steps are purposeful, practical, and achievable.

What is the ATAPS Professional Growth Map? 

The ATAPS Professional Growth Map aligns with seven professional standards that define excellence for teacher aides in Australian schools. Each standard is broken down into descriptors across four career stages: 

• Developing 
• Proficient 
• Accomplished 
• Advanced 

Your role is dynamic—and your professional growth goals should reflect this too. This map helps you track where you are and where you want to go and grow! 

Step 1: Reflect on Each Standard 

Use the prompts below to guide your reflection for each standard in the ATAPS Professional Growth Map. As you reflect, highlight your strengths and identify at least one area for future growth. You could use two different highlighters to track your strengths and areas for growth! 

Professional Knowledge – Standard 1: Know students and how they learn. 

• Reflect: How well do I understand how different students learn? 
• Consider: Do I use strategies to build respectful relationships and respond to developmental needs? 

Strength Example: “I use age-appropriate strategies during small group support.” 
Growth Area: “I want to learn more about current research on how students learn.” 

Professional Knowledge – Standard 2: Know how to support learning and teaching. 

• Reflect: Am I familiar with the curriculum in my classroom context? 
• Consider: Do I confidently use evidence-based strategies? 

Strength Example: “I help adapt activities to suit different learning levels.” 
Growth Area: “I’d like to strengthen my curriculum knowledge, especially in literacy.” 

Professional Practice – Standard 3: Collaborate with teachers to implement effective learning and teaching support. 

• Reflect: Do I communicate regularly with teachers about planning and student needs? 
• Consider: How effectively do I use teacher-provided resources and plans? 

Strength Example: “I consistently check in with the classroom teacher to adjust support.” 
Growth Area: “I want to contribute more to team discussions about student progress.” 

Professional Practice – Standard 4: Contribute to and maintain supportive and safe learning environments.

• Reflect: Do I foster inclusive and learner-friendly environments? 
• Consider: Am I encouraging independence? 

Strength Example: “I use evidence-based strategies to redirect challenging behaviour.” 
Growth Area: “I’d like to expand my knowledge and skills in responding to challenging behaviour.” 

Professional Practice – Standard 5: Contribute to assessment and provide feedback on student learning. 

• Reflect: Do I support assessment by using agreed methods and providing feedback? 
• Consider: Am I confident using feedback strategies that support learning? 

Strength Example: “I use checklists during reading groups to track progress.” 
Growth Area: “I need to build confidence in giving students effective, constructive feedback.” 

Professional Engagement – Standard 6: Engage in professional learning.  

• Reflect: Do I use the ATAPS framework to guide my professional development? 
• Consider: Am I actively planning for and engaging in professional learning? 

Strength Example: “I’ve recently completed a course on behaviour support.” 
Growth Area: “I want to get better at setting clear goals for my professional growth.” 

Professional Engagement – Standard 7: Engage and communicate professionally with colleagues and the school community.

• Reflect: Am I meeting my legal and ethical responsibilities? 
• Consider: Do I model professional conduct in all interactions? 

Strength Example: “I uphold professional standards at all times.” 
Growth Area: “I want to contribute more actively to school initiatives.” 

Step 2: Turn Your Reflections into SMART Goals

Once you’ve identified your focus areas, the next step is setting goals. SMART Goals are: 

• Specific 
• Measurable 
• Achievable 
• Relevant 
• Time-bound 

SMART Goal Examples for Teacher Aides 

Here are a few examples to get you started... 

Growth Area: “I want to use more evidence-based strategies.” 

SMART Goal: 
By the end of Term 1, I will trial three evidence-based literacy strategies in guided reading sessions and reflect on their effectiveness with the classroom teacher. Focus Area 2.2 

Growth Area: “I want to improve communication with the teacher.” 

SMART Goal: 
I will schedule a 10-minute weekly check-in with the classroom teacher to review student support plans for the rest of the term. Focus Area 3.1 

Growth Area: “I want to build confidence in giving feedback.” 

SMART Goal: 
Over the next 4 weeks, I will use ‘two stars and a wish’ feedback with my maths group and document examples in my reflective journal. Focus Area 5.2 

Practical Tips for Writing SMART Goals 

1. Use Action Verbs – e.g., implement, trial, attend, develop, support, contribute. 
2. Keep It Focused – Don’t overcommit; one or two goals per term is manageable. 
3. Review Regularly – Revisit your goal mid-term to check your progress. 
4. Align with Your School Context – Choose goals that support your team and students. 
5. Celebrate Achievements – Mark your progress - it builds confidence and motivation. 

Final Thoughts 

The ATAPS Professional Growth Map isn’t just a document - it’s a powerful lens to view your impact and your potential. Reflection is the first step, but action drives your growth. 

By identifying your strengths and crafting SMART goals around key focus areas, you’ll take your practice to the next level - and your students will benefit most of all. 

Download a copy of the ATAPS Professional Growth Map and set aside 30 minutes to reflect and highlight your current level. Then, write at least one SMART goal for the term ahead and share it with your line manager or teaching team. It's now time to reflect, set, and grow! Let's go!