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TEACHER GRADUATENEWSLETTERSUPPLEMENT TO THE AEU NEWS • AUTUMN 2010

JOINING THE AEU IS EASYjust go to www.aeuvic.asn.au/join

OUR FUTURE in your handsStudent teachers are the future of the profession — and of the AEU. We are here to support you as you take your first steps in your chosen career.

STUDENT and beginning

teachers have their own dedicated organiser at the AEU — Andrew

Cassidy. To find out more about what the AEU can offer or to join our New Educators Network, call Andrew on (03) 9418 4903 or email andrew.cassidy@aeuvic.asn.au.

YOUR ORGANISERANDREW CASSIDY

Mary Bluett AEU branch president

GRADUATE teachers are on a steep learning curve during their first few years of teaching and

should expect a high level of professional and indus-trial support. This is where the Australian Education Union (AEU) comes in.

Existing wages and conditions of work in govern-ment schools are the result of a certified agreement between the State Government and the AEU signed in 2008. The agreement runs for three years (2008–11) and details salaries, career structure, type of employment, probation, workload, leave, class sizes, consultation processes and a range of other matters.

It gives new teachers certainty about their entitle-ments as new members of the profession. The AEU ensured that the agreement would not only guaran-tee beginning teachers the best starting salaries in the country but incorporate other measures — a reduction in teaching duties, mechanisms to convert

contract teachers to ongoing and access to holiday pay for teachers on contracts — aimed at meeting the specific professional needs of new graduates.As a result, the salary of a beginning teacher has risen from $46,127 pa in 2008 to $55,459 pa from the beginning of 2011. The size of these salary increases is particularly significant in the recent context of financial collapse, job-shedding and calls for wage restraint.

While our belief is that it’s always a good time to join the teaching profession, we believe that the next few years will usher in a new era in educational resources. Between 2008 and 2011 the Federal Government will be investing the unprecedented sum of $14.7 billion in school buildings and infrastruc-ture. Some $3.3bn of that will be spent on Victorian schools.

In addition, the Federal Government is providing a further $100 per student for primary schools, new funds for schools in low socio-economic areas and the State Government has committed to rebuilding or modernising every government school.

The long-standing mantra of the AEU, and every one of its members, is that resources do matter. This is why the union is proud to see that the pressure it has applied on governments over the past decade is now bearing fruit.

So I would like to welcome you into our profession at a time of great promise for public education. You can immediately gain access to our many services by joining the AEU for free while you are still a teacher education student.

We know the future of our union, the teaching profession and public education lies in your hands. ◆

THE AEU Victorian branch represents over 43,000 teachers in schools, TAFE and preschools. It’s part of the federal Australian Education Union, with 190,000 members nationwide.We provide advice and assistance to members on all matters to do with teachers and teaching:

• Salaries • Professional and curriculum matters• Leave • Legal issues• Entitlements and rights • Work problems• Conditions of work • WorkCover• Probation and registration.

We also provide access to cheap loans and health insurance and great computer deals.

JOIN THE AEUFREE FOR STUDENTS

School rounds are when teacher education courses really come alive — but how do you make the most of it? And what are the pitfalls? AEU industrial officer David Colley suggests keeping an eye on legal liability issues while, right, John Graham offers some tips for success.

SURVIVING UNDERTAKING a teaching round is a major step

towards becoming a professional teacher. Successful completion is not only a prerequisite

for determining your readiness to teach, but the experiences you enjoy during the course of your round/s set up many of the habits teachers carry forward throughout their professional lives.

Few professions are as subject to constant public scrutiny as teaching. Student teachers are being as-sessed by their students, their teaching supervisor and other teachers in the school, by their course co-ordinators and by community members.

Shortly they will be subject to the professional scrutiny of the Victorian Institute of Teaching, their employer/s and the community at large.

Not only is the student teacher anxious about the professional skills they need to acquire in managing behaviour, controlling classrooms and getting stu-dents to learn; they are faced with a whole host of “what ifs” as they undertake yard duty, go on school camps and excursions, and learn to deal with their colleagues and members of the community.

As we live in an increasingly litigious society, it is prudent for student teachers — indeed, for all teachers throughout their careers — to find a balance between being overly cautious and enjoying the spontaneity of interaction with students and

colleagues that is the essence of a successful teaching career.

To state the obvious: be prepared, follow a conscious plan for each student and for each class and act in the knowledge that those responsible for managing you have direct knowledge of what it is you are doing. Usually this will mean not only inform-ing others but also getting their specific permission (sometimes only written permission will do!).

Know what the “rules” — official and unofficial — are for your school. Student diaries are useful sources of info as are staff handbooks. Venture around the whole school and its grounds, know the classrooms, staff room and toilet locations. Where are the hazards? What could go wrong? Plan ahead!

Student teachers will be constantly reminded of “duty of care” — an ominous and all-embracing term that means many different things to many dif-ferent people. Teachers have many different duties — some associated with questions of professional negligence, some associated with just being an em-ployee and some associated with being a member of a profession set up and regulated by Parliament.

Don’t be overawed, ask questions of more senior members of staff, learn to relax and enjoy the most rewarding of careers and remember the AEU is there for you — use it. ◆

your teaching rounds

2 Teacher Graduate newsletter | autumn 2010

SCHOOL experience is the time when teacher education courses really come alive. It’s when you get the taste of teaching and find out if you actually like doing what teachers do. It’s also a great opportunity to relate your course theory to teaching practice and find out first hand how

schools work.How do you get the most out of your school experience? A range of teachers and principals have

suggested the following:• Demonstrate that you have a passionate desire to be an excellent teacher — show that you are

enthusiastic about your chosen profession (look like you want to be there!) and are willing to learn (a must in the “learning profession”)

• The best learning strategy is to ask questions• Find out why some teaching strategies work better than others — for example, how do you establish

a classroom climate which enhances classroom management?• Pay particular attention to students “at risk” or with special needs and ask how you can help• Collect ideas, resources, strategies, handbooks, guidelines and policies• Try to discover who the key players and decision-making groups are, listen and contribute whenever

possible• Find out how the A-E reporting system operates in your school, and how it relates to assessment and

recording processes• Communicate and talk to students in the yard or canteen area, on excursions or during sport and find

out what they like and what they want from their schooling• Be prepared to engage in a discussion about pedagogical issues and concerns.Use your time in school to develop networks and, at the same time, keep records to use later as practical

examples to meet selection criteria when you apply for a job.Most of all, don’t forget to enjoy your school experience. ◆

— John Graham research officer

The AEU produces a Curriculum e-Newsletter each term, keeping you up to date on issues and developments. Students who are AEU members can receive free copies by emailing John Graham at john.graham@aeuvic.asn.au

Making the MOST of it

www.aeuvic.asn.au 3

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EARLY CHILDHOOD AEU PD OPPORTUNITIES

A VARIETY of PD sessions have been organised for early childhood students and beginning teachers this year.

Starting your career as an early childhood teacher is exciting but can also feel over-whelming. Where do you begin with behaviour management, curriculum and developing effective partnerships with parents?

There are also many changes occurring in the sector, including the Early Years Learning and Development Framework, transition plans and new regulations.

Being active in the AEU is a vital way to keep informed, and attending these sessions is a great opportunity to network with others from the sector.

DATES FOR 2010Legal liability Tuesday June 1, 4pm–6pm

Applying for Jobs in Early Childhood Check the AEU website for details later in the year.All sessions are free for early childhood members. Registration details can be found at: www.aeuvic.asn.au/childhood.

Are you on Facebook? Join the group “Early Childhood Teachers Victoria” to receive direct invitations to these events and participate in online discussions.

Do you have any further ideas for early childhood PD?

Email martel.menz@aeuvic.asn.au or andrew.cassidy@aeuvic.asn.au.◆

4 Teacher Graduate newsletter | autumn 2010

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THERE are many reasons for joining a union — probably as many as there are union members.As a student, AEU membership is FREE. When you join you get access to loads of free and

very low cost professional development, assistance with finding a job and access to our extensive network of AEU principal class members.

Keep an eye on the AEU website — www.aeuvic.asn.au — for dates and venues of activities. We also give you free legal coverage if you are on teaching rounds or placements and something goes wrong!

But the main reason people join a union is that being a union member gives teachers the ability to affect change in their school and profession. As a union, we can advance teachers’ working conditions, improve their resources and facilities, and help

to ensure they are treated fairly at work.There is much that is world class about our education system but there is also a lot that we could do better. People join the union

because they recognise that the best way to achieve change is to act collectively.The AEU is your union. Let’s all get organised and make sure that a career in education is a career for the long term! ◆

WHY join the UNION?

LOCATION DATE VENUE/ADDRESSPreston April 19 Olympic Hotel 31 Albert Street

Traralgon April 20 Morwell Club 136 Helen StreetTrades Hall April 21 Cnr Lygon and Victoria Street, CarltonPakenham April 22 Pakenham Hotel, 153 Main StreetMoorabbin April 27 Sand Belt Hotel, cnr South and Bignall RoadsCroydon April 28 Dorset Gardens Hotel, 335 Dorset RoadWodonga May 3 Commercial Club, 618 Dean Street, AlburyCaroline Springs May 5 The club, 1312 Western HighwayBallarat May 6 The Bridge Hotel, cnr Mair and Peel StreetBendigo May 11 The National Hotel, 182 High Street, BendigoGeelong May 12 Beav’s Bar, 77 Little Malop StreetMildura May 13 The Grand Hotel, Seventh StreetWarrnambool May 20 The Flying Horse, cnr Princes Highway

and Mahoneys Road

A SURVIVAL KIT for Get a head start with the AEU’s free PD in the Pub professional development program.

HOW TO REGISTER:Bookings are essential. Email to glenys.vanhooff@aeuvic.asn.au with Survival Kit, your name and the venue you wish to attend as the subject line.

OVER many years of teaching, experienced educators develop the skills and knowledge

needed to engage students, even in the most challenging situations.

In this workshop, Glen Pearsall takes teachers new to the profession through a number of great activities that they can use either in the primary or secondary classroom.

These are really practical and educationally valuable activities that participants can turn to when they need to get a group of students on task or when the time is right to mix things up.

It can take years to learn this stuff, or you can come to PD in the Pub, have a drink on us and walk away with a bunch of new skills and fun ideas.

All sessions run from 4.30pm to 6pm