MLTAQ AWARD FOR EXEMPLARY PRACTICE 2013 Primary Languages Education

Our goal to recognise and value the contributions that members of MLTAQ make to the teaching and learning of languages The presentation and notes provides an outline of what MLTAQ, as the peak body for languages teachers in Qld hopes to achieve through instituting awards for teacher practice. That it, MLTAQ knows, as do our members that the work of language teachers is valuable and ought be celebrated in very public and transparent ways.

Our strategy to institute an award program which recognises and values teachers’ contributions to identify an area of focus for recognition within any given year to articulate attributes of Exemplary Practice so as to allow for a straightforward nomination process The Awards for Exemplary Practice is the MLTAQ strategy to achieve the outcome of a public, shared celebration of languages teaching. Note that, on a yearly basis, MLTAQ will make a determination about the teaching focus for the coming year. At this stage, there is not a cap on the number, nor is it a ranking exercise. There will not be one winner and some runner ups. If the nominees demonstrate that they meet the criteria to the panel’s satisfaction, then they will receive an award. The Award nomination process is meant to be an easy process that is clear and straight forward. And MLTAQ executive is seeking feedback on this aspect of the Awards process.

Our process define criteria outline guiding principles identify ways to demonstrate the criteria at the standard In terms of the process, it is by nomination. For this round, a teacher can self nominate or be nominated by another. The nominee needs to accept the nomination (that is they will need to know that they are being nominated, if they are not a self nominee). Any feedback on this aspect would be gratefully received – should it be a nomination process by another person or is it ok that a teacher self nominates? The remainder of this presentation is an outline of what the panel will be using as a reference in reviewing the nominations. The criteria are outlined in the advertising material for the Awards. We outline the guiding principles in order to provide some indication of what could be included in the application. And of course, it is important that assertions about what a teacher is doing in their classroom needs to be evidenced by some demonstration. So, there is information on ways to include material that confirms what a teacher is doing. We are trying to outline the alignment between the criteria, the guiding principles and the evidentiary demonstration.

The criteria engages with current theories of education models and promotes exemplary teaching practice utilises effective teaching practices which improve learning outcomes for all students This is what we expect teachers to be doing to be awarded for exemplary practice. They need to engage with current theories, model exemplary practice and be effective for all students.

The guiding principles Professional Standards for the Accomplished Teaching of Languages and Cultures (AFMLTA, 2005) http://pspl.afmlta.asn.au/doclib/Professional-Standards-for-Accomplished-Teaching-of- Languages-and-Cultures.pdf Professional Standards for Lead Teachers of Languages and Cultures (AFMLTA, 2012) http://afmlta.asn.au/mldocuments/Professional%20standards%20for%20lead%20teachers%20of%20l anguages%20and%20cultures.pdf The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (AITSL, 2011) http://www.teacherstandards.aitsl.edu.au/ The panel will refer to and rely upon three core documents in order to review a nomination and to judge whether a nomination is appropriately addressing the criteria. When looking at the remaining slides, references to A, B and C come back to these slides. Reference to A is a reference to Professional Standards for the Accomplished Teaching of Languages and Cultures, B is a reference to Professional Standards for Lead Teachers of Languages and Culture‘s and C is a reference to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

The demonstration statement of practice – by the nominee supporting statement by colleagues, students or parents in relation to the award criteria identification of professional developments to which the nominee has contributed showing clear connections to award criteria statement of committee roles/tasks, lengths of service verified by a statement from another member of a professional group lesson or unit planner with clear connections to the award criteria In order to help nominees show the panel that they do have exemplary practice, there is some information about the tools and pieces of evidence that might show this. The list is not exhaustive nor prescriptive. If there is something else that can be used to demonstrate what is said in the application, then by all means use it. Keep in mind that ONLY 3 pieces of evidence (plus a digital evidence), so using something that meets multiple purposes is necessary. Do not put in a separate piece of evidence for each assertion.

Engages with current theories of education – guiding principles what is done to keep informed about current theories of education in languages and cultures education? A- Educational Theory & Practice; B - Educational Theory & Practice; C – Standards 1 and 2 how is practice innovative? A- Educational Theory & Practice; B - Educational Theory & Practice; C – Standard 3 what is done to connect with broader learning for students? So, lets look at each criterion. What sorts of things could be said about a nominee that shows they are a teacher who engages with current theories of education? If someone (the teacher themselves or colleague) can write about what they do and the response includes aspects identified in this slide. The questions come from the source documents (remember A, B and C). Again the list is not exhaustive nor prescriptive BUT it is in these and similar areas, the panel will be looking for information. Go to the Standards documents and what does it say teachers are doing.

Engages with current theories of education - demonstration statement that supports a variety of task types in the classroom (parent, student, colleague) evidence of contribution to the professional sharing with colleagues of new practice (giving/leading workshops; conference presentations) unit or lesson plan that shows innovative practice; active engagement of students; reflective practice Once you have an idea about a teacher’s practice and it is clear that the teacher is doing something special, how is this going to be evidenced to the panel. This slide outlines how a panel might be able to make a determination about a teacher’s practice without seeing them in the classroom.

Models and promotes exemplary teaching practice – guiding principles what is done with others to develop knowledge of language teaching and learning? 1- Language Pedagogy; 2 – Language Pedagogy; 3 – Standards 6 and 7 what strategies are used to develop new learning opportunities? what processes are used to explore and explain pedagogical approach used in the classroom to others? This is the second criterion. Again the same process. What sorts of things could be said about a nominee that shows they are a teacher who models and promotes exemplary teaching practice? If someone (the teacher themselves or colleague) can write about what they do and the response includes aspects identified in this slide. The questions come from the source documents (remember A, B and C). Again the list is not exhaustive nor prescriptive BUT it is in these and similar areas, the panel will be looking for information. Go to the Standards documents and what does it say teachers are doing.

Models and promotes exemplary teaching practice - demonstration unit or lesson plan that shows how teaching and learning happens in the classroom evidence of assessment practices that model assessment as, of and for learning (evidence of self assessment, peer assessment)(peer statement, unit or lesson plan, colleagues evidence of engaging with self evaluation (teacher) evidence of sharing practice with other (statement regarding contribution to professional learning) And for the second time. Once you have an idea about a teacher’s practice and it is clear that the teacher is doing something special, how is this going to be evidenced to the panel. This slide outlines how a panel might be able to make a determination about a teacher’s practice without seeing them in the classroom.

Utilises effective teaching practices which improve learning outcomes for all students - standard what strategies are employed to maximise leaning for all students? 1- Language Pedagogy; 2 – Language Pedagogy; 3 – Standards 3, 4 and 5 what strategies are used to reflect on teaching and learning? 1- Language Pedagogy; 2 – Language Pedagogy; 3 – Standards 3, 4 and 5 And the third criterion. What sorts of things could be said about a nominee that shows they are a teacher who utilises effective teaching practices? If someone (the teacher themselves or colleague) can write about what they do and the response includes aspects identified in this slide. The questions come from the source documents (remember A, B and C). Again the list is not exhaustive nor prescriptive BUT it is in these and similar areas, the panel will be looking for information. Go to the Standards documents and what does it say teachers are doing.

Utilises effective teaching practices which improve learning outcomes for all students - demonstration statement of how learners are catered for in the classroom (colleague) unit or lesson plan that shows how teaching and learning happens in the classroom statement that supports a variety of task types in the classroom (parent, student, colleague) And the third time. Once you have an idea about a teacher’s practice and it is clear that the teacher is doing something special, how is this going to be evidenced to the panel. This slide outlines how a panel might be able to make a determination about a teacher’s practice without seeing them in the classroom.

Our process self nominate or another person nominates write a SHORT address to the each of the criteria (What is short? No more than 500 words) refer to the three (3) pieces of evidence used to demonstrate the criteria (eg XXX is innovative in her use of apps in technology in the classroom [see parental statement] and is always exploring ways to encourage language use [see unit plan]) send nomination and evidence to address indicated by date indicated