The Professional Identity Of A Teacher

The Australian Government’s Productivity Commission (PC) highlights the importance of schools to minimise disadvantage in schools. It is crucial for schools to adapt teaching and learning programs that respond to the individual needs of students by recognising and addressing underachievement. In addition to quality tailored programs, quality teaching by highly trained staff is also quality learning. (PC, 12)

“In December 2009, all Australian governments, through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), agreed to a partnership to establish a National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care (‘National Quality Framework’) for most long day care, preschool/ kindergarten, family day care and outside school hours care services in Australia. The National Quality Standard is a schedule to the National Regulations. The National Quality Standard sets a new national benchmark for the quality of education and care services. It also gives services and families a better understanding of a quality service. This enables families to make informed decisions about the services providing education and care to their child.” (NQF/NQS, 2013) Furthermore, the early childhood educator has the responsibility to guide the children towards the norms and values of the society and discipline. The respect of the existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within the

The report is divided into two main section. Section one, finding section is related to the early childhood profession, its characteristics, challenges, the current trends, policies and movements. However, the second section suggests some recommendations to improve the state of early childhood profession in Australia.

Curriculum is designed to develop successful learners. Confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens (MCEECDYA, 2008, p.13). In 2008, the Australian Government promised to deliver a fair and equitable curriculum for the national’s educational system, taking the task away from the State and Local Governments. The purpose of this was to create an even level of education throughout the country whether in Hobart of Cape York, and to ensure our nations position into the 21st century. This essay will demonstrate the Nation’s curriculum, its structure and development ready for its initial implementation in 2011.

Early childhood education curriculums are becoming a national curriculum in most countries. With more governments and society thinking about education of under-fives we are seeing shifts in thinking and education to meet the changing world. We are developing children skills for the future to create a society where children feel they belong and can contribute to society. Curriculums are being influenced my social, political, cultural, historical and theoretical issues that are impacting different curriculums in the world. I am going to explore and develop my understanding about three different curriculums to recognise the different influences affecting curriculums. I am going to explore the curriculums of Te Whāriki: New Zealand, Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia and Curriculum for Excellence: Scotland. This will allow me to develop an understanding of other curriculums which I have not heard about to discover other way to education that I have not been taught in teacher’s college.

The Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations for the Council of Australian Governments [DEEWR} (2009) developed the Belonging, Being & Becoming – The Early Years Learning Framework [EYLF] for Australia. This framework was created to guide educators in developing a quality education program in early childhood education and care settings (DEEWR, 2009. p.5).

In exploring the Australian Curriculum, it becomes apparent that this curriculum was developed to encompass a wide range of skills and abilities that will be needed to enable young Australians to become productive and successful members of society of the future. The influence of a range of different curriculum models and education theories has bought together a comprehensive overview of what the Australian education system will deliver and how this can be accomplished.

The ‘Teachers’ Standards 2012’ state that teachers, including head teachers, should safeguard children’s wellbeing and maintain public trust in the teaching profession as part of their professional duties.

The Educators Guide to the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia has identified key concepts and principles which require educators to use particular understandings and practices effectively to achieve the desire outcome ‘ The Journey for Educators: Growing competence in working with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures (Commonwealth of Australia, 2010, Page 24) focuses on guiding educators

When meeting to discuss the educational goals that would apply to the curriculum for Australia, The Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs [MCEECDYA] committed to promoting equity and excellence and providing the support that young Australians need “to become successful learners, confident and creative individuals and active informed citizens” (MCEECDYA, 2008). The Australian Curriculum is designed to be world-class, providing challenges for students that prepare them for life long learning (ACARA, 2011b; Brady & Kennedy, 2010). The aims of the Australian

The 2010 National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Initial and Advanced Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs provides standards that set guidelines for what and how early childhood professionals prepare themselves to be efficient educators and caregivers. Professional development tools and strategies are critical assets for providing high quality early childhood education and care that meets the needs and interest of all learners. Today’s early childhood settings are filled with a diverse group of learners. Efficient educators must use a broad range of approaches, tools, and resources to ensure success for all learners. The NAEYC Initial and Advanced Standards demonstrates particular strategies for early childhood educators to prepare themselves to be successful and effective teachers. For this brief composition I chose to highlight the initial standard #4: using developmentally effective approaches.

The National Quality Standard includes standard 1.1 states that ‘An approved framework informs the development of a curriculum that enhances each child’s learning and development’. This is where the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) is introduced. This framework is included in the National Quality Standard to help ensure the consistency in the delivery of learning programs within Australia. Within the EYLF is the Early Childhood curriculum framework which guides early childhood educators to develop quality early childhood education programs. This framework describes the principles, practice and learning outcomes which support and enhance young children’s learning from birth to five years old, and then their transition to school.

In meeting professional standards for Australian teachers this should include showing respect to culture, connecting with the community and building pride. Good pedagogy should be applied appropriately across the curriculum. In the instance of English, this includes support of the first language, explicit instruction, relevance, and interest. In the context of the history classroom, a teacher should connect with the community, the land, and foster a positive identity. Perhaps the most important element is considering the context of the community and each

Australia believes in a holistic approach and that children learn through play and that learning is ongoing. Australia’s framework says that children belong to a community and should feel that they belong and have a purpose. Australia’s educators’ professional judgements are important in children’s learning. They use their professional knowledge and skills, knowledge of children, families and communities, awareness of how their beliefs and values impact children’s learning and personal styles and past experiences. Australia feels children learn best this way. The elements of the framework are Principles, Practice and Learning outcome. They have five principles which are: 1.Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships, 2.Partnerships, 3.High expectations and equity, 4.Respect for diversity, 5.Ongoing learning and reflective practice. These principles help educators teach children and for children to grow as people. The principles are based on looking at the child as a whole and focusing on their needs and development. Australia views children as competent. Children are able and a part of society. Educators draw on a rich repertoire of pedagogical practices to promote children’s learning by: Being responsive to children, Creating environments that have a positive impact on children’s learning, Valuing the cultural and social contexts of children and their families, Providing for

When understanding education there are many different ways which the purpose of education may be applied and defined. My personal philosophy of education is, 'educators must nurture/guide students within the academic field, to that the aims, goals and results during this task of educating or being educated are achieved '. This philosophy is used to understand that both teachers and students play an integral role in education. Academic performance, classroom methods/practices and also meeting the requirements of both the senior secondary Australian Curriculum Framework and the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers Framework are examples of these roles. This essay will discuss in detail how my personal philosophy of education, reflects on the role of teachers and learners, the aim of education and the methods and practices used in the classroom. Jean Jacques Rousseau, Paulo Freire, Locke, and Plato/Socrates are the four theorists that shall be used within this essay, to support claims and justify statements regarding this philosophy. John Dewey and A.S Neil are two non-supporting theorists that shall be used in contrast to justify this philosophy.