What does this descriptor look like at different levels?
Engage with colleagues and improve practice is the third descriptor of the sixth standard of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
See more: Australian Professional Standards for Teachers Terminology Explained
Graduate
What does it look like?
At the Graduate level, teachers are expected to develop foundational skills in engaging with colleagues and seeking feedback to improve their teaching practice.
As a Graduate teacher, you understand the value of collaboration and the importance of learning from your colleagues. Your focus should be on actively seeking opportunities to work with other teachers, exchanging ideas, and providing support to enhance each other’s practice. While you may have limited teaching experience, you must demonstrate your willingness to engage with colleagues and use their feedback to improve your teaching.
What evidence can I collect?
To provide evidence for this descriptor, you can showcase:
- Collaborative projects: Document instances where you have collaborated with colleagues on lesson planning, curriculum development, or other teaching-related activities.
- Peer feedback: Include feedback from colleagues on your teaching practices and any adjustments you made based on their input.
- Reflections on collaboration: Write reflective notes on the benefits of engaging with colleagues and how it has influenced your teaching practice.
Proficient
What does it look like?
At the Proficient level, teachers are expected to actively engage with colleagues to improve teaching practice, offering support, feedback, and participating in collaborative professional learning activities.
As a Proficient teacher, you actively participate in professional learning activities with colleagues and offer your support and feedback to help enhance their teaching practice. You contribute to a positive and supportive professional learning community, valuing the exchange of ideas and continuous improvement.
What evidence can I collect?
To demonstrate proficiency in engaging with colleagues and improving practice, you can present evidence such as:
- Professional learning collaboration: Document your involvement in collaborative professional development activities with colleagues.
- Peer support records: Showcase instances where you have provided support or mentorship to colleagues to improve their teaching practices.
- Evidence of feedback exchange: Include feedback from colleagues on your teaching practices and feedback you provided to them.
See more: Student Work as Evidence – How Teachers can Delve Deeper.
Highly Accomplished
What does it look like?
At the Highly Accomplished level, teachers are expected to lead and drive a whole-school approach to engaging with colleagues and improving teaching practice collectively.
As a Highly Accomplished teacher, you go beyond individual collaboration to lead efforts in creating a school-wide culture of professional learning and continuous improvement. You actively engage with colleagues to share your knowledge and expertise, contributing to the growth and development of the entire school community.
What evidence can I collect?
To showcase your highly accomplished level of engaging with colleagues and improving practice, consider the following evidence:
- Professional learning leadership: Provide documentation of your involvement in leading professional development workshops or initiatives for colleagues.
- Collaborative projects: Showcase initiatives or projects where you worked with colleagues to improve teaching practices across the school.
- Evidence of mentoring: Demonstrate how you have mentored or supported other teachers in their professional learning journey.
See more: Is it Worth Becoming a Highly Accomplished Teacher?
Lead
What does it look like?
At the Lead level, teachers are expected to drive systemic approaches to engaging with colleagues and improving teaching practice, collaborating with school leaders to foster a culture of collective professional growth.
As a Lead Teacher, your focus is on systemic change and creating a cohesive approach to engaging with colleagues and improving practice that involves all stakeholders. You actively collaborate with school leaders and colleagues to develop comprehensive professional learning frameworks that align with educational goals and support teacher excellence.
What evidence can I collect?
To demonstrate your leadership in engaging with colleagues and improving practice, gather the following evidence:
- School-wide professional development policy: Provide documentation of your contributions to the development and implementation of a school-wide professional development policy or framework.
- Collaborative partnerships: Showcase instances where you collaborated with school leaders and colleagues to ensure comprehensive and targeted professional development opportunities for all staff.
- Impact assessment: Present evidence of how your efforts have positively influenced teacher learning outcomes and contributed to a culture of continuous improvement through effective collaboration.
