DIRECTORS' MESSAGE

Welcome to the July edition of TA Talk.

With the considerable planning and preparation for the Brisbane and Melbourne National Education Summit (NES) conferences, and the announcement of the Australian Teacher Aide of the Year nominees coupled with commencement of the shortlisting process, it has been a very full month!

We are exhibiting at the Brisbane NES conference today, Thursday 30th July, and tomorrow we are presenting at a Spotlight session on the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards (ATAPS). If you are booked to attend, make sure you check out this session led by Kim Nuske, and pop by our stand to say 'hello'. We would love to have a chat, in person :)

It has been an absolute delight reading the Australian Teacher Aide of the Year nominations, and with so many excellent examples of student support practice, collaboration and leadership, the job of shortlisting has been challenging. However, we are close to identifying the finalist and highly commended nominees, and we look forward to sharing these results with you soon, on Thursday 14th August.

We have also been busy preparing for Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, 1 - 5 September, and this year we have some brand new resources to support your celebrations at school. 

Earlier this month, we added another resource on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) to our professional development library. We now have 3 excellent resources on PDA, all presented by accredited social worker and founder of Our PDA Kids, Sarah Lovett. We hope you will find this series of value.

Following attendance at the ATAPS Facilitator training in March and May, schools are commencing the process of implementing the ATAPS framework into their performance and professional growth processes, and we are receiving positive feedback on their experience. We have shared a snippet below from one of these schools, Rossmoyne Primary School.

Lastly, we hope you will find a few minutes to read our latest blog, 10 Traits of Quality Teaching Assistants. Recent research lists attributes that define great teachers – and we think that this list also describes great teacher aides!

Warm regards

Stella and Mandy

GETTING AROUND THE ATA WEBSITE

Get ready for Appreciation Week

Mark your calendars! Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week is coming up from 1–5 September, and it's the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the incredible work of your teacher aides.

Now’s the moment to start planning how your school will celebrate. Think thank you notes, class activities, morning teas, or a fun shout-out at assembly. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader or a fellow teacher aide, everyone can play a part in showing appreciation.

Keep an eye on our website - we’ve got exciting new ideas and downloadable resources coming soon to help you make it special!

SPOTLIGHT ON ATAPS IN ACTION

Rossmoyne Primary School, WA

The EA's at Rossmoyne Primary School (WA) have started using ATAPS to inform their professional growth.

Under the leadership of Rochelle, the EA team have started using ATAPS to reflect on their professional practice. 

Rochelle shared "Once our EAs have reflected against all of the standards, they will then be supported to develop their SMART goals and their Professional Growth Plan. Our EAs are enjoying the opportunity to meet and are very appreciative of the opportunity to participate in professional learning." 

Congratulations Rossmoyne Primary School on starting your ATAPS journey! 

Could ATAPS support your school’s improvement agenda? Now is the perfect time to start the conversation. Discover how the ATAPS framework can elevate the work of your support staff. 

UPCOMING EVENT

What Students Need to Hear From Teaching Assistants
3:30pm Tuesday, 12 August 2025

What kind of feedback truly helps students grow?

In our upcoming web event, ATA Teacher and ATAPS Facilitator Kim Nuske returns to share more practical strategies, this time focusing on how teaching assistants can give effective feedback that boosts learning and builds confidence.

Join Kim as she explores:

• Key words and phrases that encourage and affirm
• How to foster a growth mindset through your feedback
• The power of yet
• Simple ways to give individual, targeted feedback

These easy-to-use techniques are perfect for everyday classroom interactions and can make a lasting impact on student learning.

Register now to secure your spot. We look forward to seeing you there!

 NEW RESOURCE

The Interaction of PDA & ADHD: Traits and Strategies

In our newest resource, accredited social worker and founder of Our PDA Kids, Sarah Lovett shares practical strategies to support students with PDA and ADHD by focusing on brain chemistry, particularly dopamine and serotonin.

Drawing on both professional knowledge and lived experience, Sarah explains why certain behaviours are actually the brain’s way of seeking regulation, and how we can respond in ways that keep students feeling safe and supported.

This video is a must watch for anyone working with neurodiverse learners.

 UNDERSTANDING ATAPS - ONE STANDARD AT A TIME

Standard 6 - Engage in professional learning.

Teaching assistants can use the ATAPS framework to guide their performance and professional growth. In doing this, TAs show their commitment to improving their knowledge, practice, and engagement by setting goals, planning for professional growth and engaging in professional learning to achieve their goals.  

Standard 6 details the professional growth process teaching assistants use to reflect, set goals and improve through professional learning: 

• Focus Area 6.1 Use the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards to guide your performance and professional growth.  
• Focus Area 6.2 Plan for professional growth. 
• Focus Area 6.3 Engage in professional learning to improve professional knowledge, practice, and engagement.  

Here are a few resources to help: 

• Introducing ATAPS: A professional growth framework for teaching assistants
• 4 Steps to Student Success
• Using Peer Observation to Plan Professional Development

 READ OUR LATEST BLOG

10 Traits of Quality Teaching Assistants

What makes a truly effective teacher aide?

In our latest blog, we explore ten key traits that go beyond job descriptions.

From adaptability and clear communication to patience and professional ethics, these are the everyday strengths that help teacher aides make a real impact in classrooms across Australia.

Whether you're a teacher aide or work alongside one, this is a great read to reflect on what makes this role so important in supporting student success.

 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Tell us what Professional Development matters most to you

At Australian Teacher Aide, we’re always looking for ways to support your professional growth in meaningful and practical ways.

Are you working through the Australian Professional Standards for Teaching Assistants (ATAPS) one by one? Or is there a particular challenge in your role that you’d love to upskill in—something that would make a real difference in your day-to-day work?

We’d love to hear from you!

Please take a moment to fill in our quick webform and let us know what topics matter most to you. Your feedback will help us make our professional learning resources more relevant, more practical, and more empowering for teacher aides across Australia.

OUTSTANDING PARTICIPATION IN ATA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Congratulations to the following schools for achieving most highly, over the past month, in their professional development journey:

Amity College NSW

Emmanuel College - Warrnambool VIC

Chanel College QLD

Brisbane Adventist College QLD

Keep up the great work, everyone!

WHAT'S TRENDING ON THE ATA FACEBOOK PAGE

Behind the role - real insights from teacher aides

Our most talked-about post this month asked the question “What’s the one thing you wish more people understood about your role as a teacher aide?”

Teacher aides wear many hats and contribute so much to their school communities that the role can look different depending on who you ask — a student, a teacher, a school leader, or a parent.

But one thing is clear: it’s vital work, and it’s incredibly rewarding.

Thank you to everyone who added their voice to the conversation. Your insights brought to life the complexity, care, and professionalism that teacher aides bring to their work each day.

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Leaders in Professional Learning for Schools

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