DIRECTORS' MESSAGE

Welcome to the May edition of TA Talk.

There is always something exciting happening on the ATA calendar, and earlier this month we were excited to announce the launch of our annual awards program, Australian Teacher Aide of the Year. We hope to make this the brightest awards season yet, and our website features all the information required to submit a winning nomination, as well as a promotional flyer to help create awareness of this opportunity. Teachers and school leaders, please make sure you allow plenty of time to craft your school's submission for this prestigious award. Nominations close on Thursday 29th June, and based on how the year is flying along, that day will be here in a flash.

We are making great progress with the Australian Standards for Paraprofessional Educators in Schools. On 1st June, we will be presenting a fully completed draft document to the Industry Reference Group for feedback. Next week, we will run the first of a number of school trials at Nudgee College in Brisbane, where their teacher aide team will be participating in an action research workshop to gather feedback on the career level statements and expectations. We feel very excited to be at this stage, and almost on schedule too!

Just a reminder that memberships can be renewed at any time, and if you are planning to renew your subscription prior to the end of financial year, please get in touch, or go to your member portal and select 'renew subscription'. Similarly, if you are not yet a member, now is the perfect time to ensure a membership with ATA is budgeted for, and we are happy to assist you with account creation, if required.

This year, we have seen a surge in Victorian school memberships (go Victoria!!). Based on feedback from members, the new Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 is a strong influencer, and schools are responding to professional learning recommendations set out for employees. For other states and territories with similar requirements, we are here to help!

As the next issue of TA Talk will be the closing day for submission of nominations for this year's awards program, we wish those of you nominating a teacher aide or team all the very best of luck.

Warm regards

The ATA Team

AUSTRALIAN TEACHER AIDE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Has Your School Nominated Yet?

The Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards are in full swing! Once again, we are on the hunt for Australia's most outstanding teacher aide, and teacher aide team. With just 5 weeks to go, we urge you to get your nomination in asap!

ARE YOU NEW TO ATA?

Some Helpful Support Resources 

If you are a new ATA member, or you have simply not had time to start exploring the incredible value available to you, here are some support resources to help you:

User Guide: provides you with key information for a successful professional learning experience with Australian Teacher Aide

New Member Orientation video: shows you where to find professional development resources, how to register for live web events and how to view and update your record of professional development

FAQs: helps you find your way around the Australian Teacher Aide website and to learn more about our professional development

Professional Development Planner: lists our extensive range of evidence-based resources and upcoming events, designed for P-12 support staff.

UPCOMING EVENT

Unpacking the Career Stages and Expectations in the Standards for Paraprofessional Educators

Tuesday 13th June 3:30pm AEST

In 2021, Australian Teacher Aide commenced collaborations with an Industry Reference Group (IRG), to develop the Australian Standards for Paraprofessional Educators in Schools. 

As we get closer to publishing the Standards, we invite you to join us, and 3 leading educators from the IRG, to learn about the career stages and expectations in the Standards.

Your feedback throughout this live event will help ensure the Standards represent the diverse and complex work of paraprofessional educators in Australian schools.

 NEW RESOURCE

Making Mathematics Engaging for all Students

Our latest resource features Dr Judy Hartnett, a Mathematics Education Consultant, who works in schools to support teachers to improve maths learning outcomes for their students.

In this webinar, Judy shares a practical approach to engaging students in maths learning and highlights the importance of providing challenge for students.

CELEBRATING PD ACTIVITY 

Congratulations to the top 5 schools in May

Finding time for education support staff to attend professional development is a common challenge. All the same, many of our member schools are starting to build more capability in their teaching teams by ensuring their TAs are enabled to confidently use evidence-based strategies to support students to succeed in learning, and life.

Based on the professional development recorded in member CPD Diaries during May, we would like to congratulate these top 5 performing schools for prioritising the professional development of their support teams:

• Newbury Primary School - 29 staff 
• Seton Catholic College - 15 staff 
• Seaford Primary School - 14 staff 
• ET Australia Secondary College - 11 staff  
• St Edward's Primary School South Tamworth - 11 staff 

Congratulations all!

DON'T FORGET TO USE OUR JOB BOARD

Positions Vacant

St Andrews Christian College, a P-12 independent Christian school located in Wantirna South VIC, is looking for a Learning Support Assistant. Applications close 2nd June.

THE ADHD FOUNDATION NEEDS YOUR HELP PLEASE!

Do you support students with ADHD at school?

The ADHD Foundation is seeking input from school staff who support students with ADHD to inform research being undertaken in relation to:

• understanding how students with ADHD learn most effectively
• information, tools and training that would help facilitate better learning environments for students with ADHD
• behavioural strategies that help students with ADHD thrive at school

Please fill in this anonymous 5 min survey by 27 May (that's this coming Sunday). If you are interested in providing more in-depth information, the ADHD Foundation is holding consultations with a number of staff.

WHAT'S TRENDING ON THE ATA FACEBOOK PAGE

Here's one very talented poet!

11,257 views
227 reactions, 25 comments and 73 shares

Recently, 12-year-old secondary school student, Ava, won a national poetry competition with her poem about living with autism.

We encourage you to go to our Facebook page to view her winning ‘Power of Poetry’ entry. It's very clever and totally worth the read!

Leaders in Professional Learning for Schools

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