TA TALK

Issue 46

August 2019

The excitement is building for Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week!

During this week, 2 - 6 September, schools have an opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution their teacher aides make to students, teachers and the community. 

We have put together some Appreciation Week resources to help you. You may also like to have a look at some of the imaginative and fun ways schools celebrated last year.  

 

You may be aware that we are very close to revealing this year's Australian Teacher Aide of the Year. The nominations received for this year's award are a testament to the integral role of teacher aides in schools, and highlight the many ways teacher aides make a difference. 
 

Today, we announced the State Finalists and Highly Commended nominees.

 

Congratulations to all! 

 

One of the Finalists will be named 2019 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year. Stay tuned, as we will be announcing the winner next Thursday 5th September during Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week.

We would like to sincerely thank our judging panel who took on the challenging job of shortlisting the nominations:

• Debbie Youd, Deputy Principal, East Devonport Primary School, Tasmania
• Glynnis Few, Human Resources Manager, Northern Territory Christian Schools
• Jane Wenlock, Teacher Aide Coordinator, Kolbe Catholic College, Victoria
• Michelle Smith, Literacy Coach and Teacher, Holland Park State School, Queensland
• Rachel Carter, Teacher Aide Coordinator, Waverley Christian College, Victoria

  

We wish all teacher aides, teaching assistants, student mentors, education assistants, school learning support officers (and any education support titles we missed!) a happy Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. We hope you are spoiled, and would love you to show us how you celebrate. So don’t forget to take lots of photos!

 

Warm regards

 

Stella and Mandy

The results are in! and we are pleased to announce the finalists for 2019

 

Jacque Mengel, Maribyrnong Primary School ACT

 

Jeanette Hillier, Glen Innes Public School NSW

 

Allyce Day, Casuarina Street Primary School NT

 

Wendy Nicholls, Crestmead State School QLD

 

Wendy Connor, Mawson Lakes School SA

 

Sandra Becker, Evandale Primary School TAS

 

Donna Holman, Bellarine Secondary College VIC

 

Michelle Chapple, Mater Dei Catholic College WA

De Bono's Six Thinking Hats - How to Promote Critical Thinking

In this tutorial, we explore how to use De Bono’s Six Thinking Hat method to think critically in a digital world. 

 

You will learn: 

• Why critical thinking is an essential skill in a digital world

• How to use De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hat method for critical and creative thinking

MEMBER WEBINAR: What is Computational Thinking?

Tuesday 10th September 2019 @ 4:15pm AEST

In this tutorial we explore the skills students need to solve problems in a digital world. You will learn about the 4 ways of computational thinking, and how to use unplugged activities to promote these different ways of thinking with students. 

Member Webinar Challenge

 

In our August webinar, De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats – How to Promote Critical Thinking, we invited participants to solve a lateral thinking puzzle.

Congratulations to Kerrie Mullins from our member school, Deception Bay State High School. Kerrie won an ATA monogrammed polo shirt for being the first participant to correctly solve the puzzle. Do you know the answer?

Five pieces of coal, a carrot and a scarf are lying on the lawn. Nobody put them there but there is a logical reason why they should be there? What is the reason? 

The ROYAL tree 

33,695 views

2,015 reactions, comments and shares

 

Respect Others, Yourself And Learning. What a great mantra for the classroom. The ROYAL tree was much loved by many. Some of you have already implemented this strategy, or something similar, to ease the way for relief teachers. Others suggested it be a permanent visual in the classroom.

Never underestimate the power of belief systems.

25,735 views
1,695 reactions, comments and shares

 

When we posted this, ATA Facebook follower, Michelle, commented: "And someone who has the time to believe they can. Teachers are under so much pressure today that sometimes they aren’t able to sit and spend time with one student alone, so that’s where we come in, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else."  

Just like other professionals, teacher aides need regular professional learning opportunities. ATA continues to advocate for the professionalism of teacher aides as we know they have much to offer when it comes to contributing to student learning and wellbeing. 

 

Read what our member schools say about their decision to join ATA.

 

"Many thanks for the New School Orientation. You were thorough and detailed and it makes me excited for what this can mean for our TAs!" - Kim Ninneman, NT Christian Schools.

 

"Just wanted to say thank you for today's webinar - it was absolutely fantastic. I have been in my role for 14 years ... I thoroughly enjoyed today's webinar and learnt so much.The Teacher Aides in our school in Term 3 will be completing a webinar from the ATA site each fortnight as a group during our weekly meeting times."  Nicole Harris, Longreach State School

 

"There are not enough hours in a day to do all the webinars!!! I love it. I am one of a team of 19 EAs in our school and we are finding the modules and webinars very informative and relevant. Thank you for such a wonderful resource." Julie Cockman, Mary Mackillop Catholic Community Primary School, Ballajura

Risk Free Investment!  

 

We know that school budgets only stretch so far and that decisions about how to invest in the ongoing development of your most precious resource, your teaching teams, are not made lightly.

 

We are confident in our professional development offering and the services that we provide.

 

Our member guarantee removes all the risk from this important decision. If your school joins ATA and, within the first 14 days, decides that our professional development does not meet your needs, we will give you a full refund.

 

There is no better guarantee! Arrange a risk free membership for your teacher aide team, today!