Successful aspects of the first half of placement in relation to the Australian

Professional Standards for Teachers:

Domain 1
Standard 1 - Know students and how they learn
Standard 2 Know the content and how to teach it
I think some of the successful aspects of Domain 1 for me so far in my placement
experience have been creating a relationship with the students. By observing how they
behave in their learning environment I have been able to gauge how I can develop
appropriate learning strategies for them and how they best react to the content being
taught. By knowing creating these relationships with the students I have created
expectations for how the students should behave and what I expect of them whilst Im
conducting a lesson.
I think I have been effective in my use of resources and using a wide variety of those
that are available to me, which I have been able to incorporate into my activities. By
linking my lesson plans to AusVELS I am demonstrating knowledge of how to use them
and ensuring that the children are acquiring the information they need.
Domain 2
Standard 3 Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
Standard 4 Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
Standard 5 Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning
By preparing my lesson plans prior to the lesson not only am I making the intention and
goals of the students clear, but also my own. By providing a guideline for myself I am
able to steer my lesson into the direction I want. I have worked towards being my
effective with my timing of the lesson and sticking to my planned times. It has been
good to have the experience of working with smaller groups and working towards
teaching the whole class because I was able to use a variety of teaching methods and
approaches to cater for the individual, group and the whole class learning. As said I
believe strength of the class is their responses and willingness to attempt to engage in
discussion, I believe Ive attempted to facilitate this and build on this to aid class
discussions.
With the relationship I have formed with the students I think that I have been assertive
when required and was actually very proud of myself when I was given respect by
students for my stern attitude in relation to students behaviours altering in different
settings, e.g. in specialist classes or what AT is absent. I am more then happy to engage
with students and help them to actively seek the answer they require through prompts
and assistance.
Domain 3
Standard 6 Engage in Professional Learning
Standard 7 Engage Professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community
I am grateful for the positive assistance and advice I have been able to gain from my
Associate Teacher, which has helped me to reflect on my lessons. Sometimes my selfevaluation throughout and after a lesson can make me feel quite down in the dumps but
by having a discussion and talking things through I have been able to see my
weaknesses, but also see my strengths which can often be dismissed when I feel that I
have done terribly. Its been brilliant to work in a team teaching situation, not only in

observing both AT but also working alongside a team of four has been a really good
learning experience. I am able to reflect on the differences between myself and the
other PST and am able to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses in comparison. From
staff meetings and personal learning I have been able to witness the expected
behaviours of a teachers in such an environment but have also been able to incorporate
knowledge acquired into my lessons.
My goals for the remainder of the round are:
Domain 1
Standard 1 - Know students and how they learn
Standard 2 Know the content and how to teach it
Although I have been effective at using a variety of resources for my students needs I
think I need to strengthen my use of these resources and make sure lacking strength in
the rest of my lesson plan does not waste them.
Domain 2
Standard 3 Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
Standard 4 Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
Standard 5 Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning
While I may be preplanning my lesson plans prior to the lesson I need to spend longer
ensuring I am clear on what I plan on doing and seek areas where I can slip up. By
ensuring I know the content and what I plan to teach ensures that the students will
remain engaged and challenged. I think continuing to make activities that stimulate the
whole class like this will result in a successful outcome in the future.
My explanation of tasks when setting them lacks confidence and therefore I do not feel
that the students get a good grasp of what I am asking them. I feel that the students are
able to gauge my lack of confidence at some stages and that I need to pull myself
together so my lessons dont fall apart completely.
Domain 3
Standard 6 Engage in Professional Learning
Standard 7 Engage Professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community
I have really appreciated being able to work alongside my Associate teacher as the
feedback I have received has made me feel a lot more confident. The constructive
criticism allows me to understand what has been effective and ineffective about my
teaching technique for that lesson and allows me to evaluate and make improvements.
-From staff meetings and PLT opportunities being able to discuss and see the school
and teachers at work has been something really great, all the teachers are happy to
assist and give advice for lessons and my planning and learning as well as my over all
teaching experience.
More specifically my goals for the completion of placement are seeking to improve on
my presence in the classroom, finding my voice and ensuring that the children listen to
me when I have something to say. Ensuring that I am clear and concise with my
expectations of the task including what is required of the task. Making sure that what I

am teaching makes sense and that the vocabulary is suited to the age group of whom I
am teaching. And to make the most of the resources I am provided with to teach the
children, especially with my use of the interactive whiteboard.