Learning Specialist Range 3 - Curriculum

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum. Demonstrated ability to model exemplary teaching practice, including the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum, and implement school priorities.

SC2 Demonstrated expertise in the implementation and modelling of high impact teaching strategies that respond to student learning needs. Demonstrated ability to support teachers to evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth

SC3 Demonstrated exemplary ability to model the monitoring and assessment of student learning. Demonstrated ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4 Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5 Demonstrated ability to model behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated ability to support others to reflect on their practice and facilitate school-based professional learning.

Role

Learning Specialists will be highly skilled classroom practitioners who continue to spend the majority of their time in the classroom delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning. Learning Specialists are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons and, mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce.

The Learning Specialist role is aimed at building excellence in teaching and learning within the Teaching Service.

Responsibilities

In recognition of the importance of exemplary practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the Learning Specialists may include but are not limited to:

• Demonstrating high-level expertise in teaching and learning practice
• Modelling exemplary classroom practice including through teaching demonstration lessons
• Working with the school leadership team to develop a shared view of highly effective teacher practice
• Leading and modelling the implementation of whole-school improvement strategies related to curriculum planning and delivery
• Playing a key role in the provision of professional learning, including through developing processes and protocols for observation and feedback of teacher practice and peer collaboration
• Modelling effective learning practice and supporting teachers to seek, analyse and act on feedback and on their practice
• Providing evidence-based feedback to teaching staff to inform their effectiveness and development
• Providing expert advice about the context, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
• Supervising and training one or more student teachers and mentoring and/or coaching teachers
• Modelling exemplary use of student data to inform teaching approaches
• Developing and promoting school-wide professional learning structures, processes and protocols through Professional Learning Communities
• Modelling exemplary professional learning practice included through seeking feedback from other teachers and leaders on their own classroom practice as part of critical reflection and inquiry to improve practice

Who May Apply

Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.

EEO AND OHS Commitment

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Conditions of Employment

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

VIT LANTITE

To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.

Location Profile

At Pakenham Hills Primary School our motto is Life is for Learning. Our mission is to provide each child with the lifelong learning skills, knowledge and social development that will enable them to achieve to their potential and participate successfully in our society.

Our intention is to ensure that we create a learning environment where all students take responsibility for their learning and endeavour to reach their personal best. We seek to create a safe, positive and supportive learning environment and provide a differentiated learning approach enhanced by an extensive curriculum.

The school has 45 full and part-time staff including the Principal, 2 Assistant Principals, 3 Learning Specialists, 21 education support staff and a school psychologist (1.0). A PLC approach to program planning is a feature of the school's curriculum development. The development of literacy and numeracy skills and the acquisition of critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making strategies are a key part of our curriculum. The school runs a transition to school program during semester 2 each year called Pakky Seals.

The school serves a slowly expanding residential and outlying area in the South-East growth corridor. The school is situated 2 km east of Pakenham. Pakenham Hills Primary School is a medium-sized school with a current enrolment of approximately 440 students.

The school comprises 18 permanent classrooms, Performing Arts, Visual Art, AUSLAN, and Physical Education rooms, a Library, and an Administration area. Two relocatable double classrooms have been integrated with the permanent buildings on a large site. A BER Multi-Purpose complex was opened at the beginning of 2011. The older gymnasium was refurbished and turned into a dedicated Performing Arts Centre in 2019. Students learn AUSLAN as an alternative language.

The school provides a large oval, basketball and netball courts, as well as junior, middle and senior adventure playgrounds. Maintenance of the buildings and development of the grounds is a priority to support our goal in providing a stimulating learning environment and ensuring that the school continues to operate in attractive buildings and surroundings. A shared community facility (Parent Zone) is co-located on the school site. This facility provides a range of allied health services to the local community.

Our school values of respect, teamwork, positive attitude, honesty and integrity and communication underpin the PHPS School Expectations of: Be a Learner; Be Safe and Be Responsible. These expectations are reflected in everything we say and do at Pakenham Hills.

In our school community we work hard to ensure our values and expectations are demonstrated by:

• The provision of a balanced curriculum that caters for individual needs and abilities which encourages academic achievement and personal success.
• Students having a positive and happy attitude to their learning.
• The continued development of positive school wide behavioural attitudes and relationships with all members of the school community.
• Students, staff and community showing a sense of pride and respect for our school.
• Provision of opportunities that engage parents and the local community in the school.

At Pakenham Hills Primary School we foster a belief that each student should be given the opportunity to achieve social, emotional, and academic excellence. We aim to ensure each child acquires the learning strategies, behaviours, and attitudes of lifelong learners, along with the social skills needed to work, play and get along with others.