Posts by Rochelle Borton
Life Long Learning (LLL)
Photo – Andrea Piacquadio Professor Pierre Vellas (Toulouse University) coined the phrase ‘University of the Third Age’ (U3A) in 1973. Aimed at older students, usually aged 55 years or older, this simple model of leaning has expanded into countries around the world. In the context of schools, professional and personal is not simple. It is…
Read MoreWhat really matters?
Photo – Andrea Piacquadio German philosopher Herbart (1806) believed that the mind was the sum of all ideas which entered one’s conscious life. He emphasized the importance of both the physical and the human environment in the development of the mind. To Herbart, ideas were central to the process. To this point, what really matters in…
Read MoreTeaching is more than data entry
Photo by Artem Podrez “The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.”B.B. King Education has an important social, industrial, and democratic purpose. The overt political influence on pedagogy in pre-schools through to tertiary education systems is changing the work of schools. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) states…
Read MoreThe Promise of Elections
“The ability to read, write, and analyse; the confidence to stand up and demand justice and equality; the qualifications and connections to get your foot in the door and take your seat at the table — all of that starts with education.” Michelle Obama Every election campaign brings with it funding commitments, reforms and smiling…
Read MoreProfessional Goals
‘Practice design, not decoration: Don’t just make pretty talking points. Instead display information in a way that makes complex information clear.” Nancy Durate There has been an undeniable erosion of the value and status of the teaching profession. Teacher accreditation that is based on evidence, and a continuous program of improvement and professional learning is…
Read MoreTaking a Breath – Managing The Start Of The School Year Rush and Strategies For A Healthy Work Life Balance
How has the year started for you? Inspiring professional learning to start the year? Social media posts and reels have shared some great pictures of teachers and school leaders in action! The annual rush of mandatory compliance tasks waits online, and new syllabi are ready to go. Primary school teachers are familiar with the routine…
Read MoreGoals for Growth. Importance of professional learning and self-growth
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” Albert Einstein AITSL describes professional learning as a continuous cycle. Planning goals for growth should be a straightforward, self-directed process. Without a plan there will be little or no growth. The reality is that mandatory professional learning and compliance tasks have overshadowed the importance…
Read MoreRecharged and ready to go. Starting the year with a self-care plan
Teachers look forward to summer breaks as much as students – maybe even more than – they do. A few weeks without rigorously regimented days; we’re free to do things like take a toilet break or eat lunch whenever we need to and wear pants as little as we want. Summer breaks mean we don’t…
Read MoreSummer Days…
The perennial media cries of ‘all’ the school holidays and teachers working daylight hours, not on the weekend and a ‘good’ salary does not shine a light on the work in schools and the school community. School holidays are part of the award that teachers and school leaders are employed under. The school year seemed…
Read MoreReflecting on your successes this year
December 1 is the 335th day of the year and the first day of Summer. Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10. The 2022 theme: Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All. The ’30-day’ race toward 2023 begins in earnest. The school year is almost behind you. End of year Professional learning; new English and…
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