EDUCATOR OBSERVATION DAY

An Educator Observation Day is where teachers and leadership teams are invited to observe the coaching process in action.  Mudgeeraba Special School is holding such a day on June 1st from 9.00 - 2.00 pm

Participants in this day will be involved in a workshop that provides information and a compelling rationale for coaching as a way to increase teacher morale and impact on learning outcomes.  Visitors then will be able to observe the coaching process in action in a number of settings.

One setting will be a coach negotiating observation criteria for a meeting to be conducted by Colleen Hope the principal of Mudgeeraba Special School.  This will be followed by a post conference session to provide the opportunity for Colleen to self evaluate and receive feedback at the end of the meeting.

Fifteen coaches were trained in October 2010 and a number of these coaches will demonstrate live the coaching process using video tapes of recent lessons in the school.

Yvana Jones (Assistant Director General Teaching& Learning) Mudgeeraba Special School “Principal for the Day” will open the day.

If you are interested in attending please contact me by email

An Excellent Teacher

 A teacher recently received an email from a student he had taught in Year Four and Year Six some 21 years ago.  It demonstrates the real power and influence of excellent teaching.

I think of my time in your class often, and I'm always amazed by the clarity of some of those memories. I remember how easy it was to retain so much of the content, and also how much I enjoyed so many of the topics we covered. Year 4 and 6 were definite highlights for me.  You sound as though you have done some remarkable work in recent years - though I must say your work in the classroom was remarkable enough.

It might amuse you to know I'm teaching now. And I think it is because of that I became absolutely compelled to contact you at this point. I was beginning my second day ever of teaching in March this year - relief teaching as it were - prepping for my day with a Year 4 class, when I was overcome.  After teaching Year 4 at the same school the previous day and thinking of what I was about to face with a diverse group of 30 students that day, I finally understood the magnitude of the world you had helped create during those years you taught me.  I always knew it was special, and that you were a special teacher, but WOW, I could actually see a glimpse of what it took to create the experiences you did. It humbled me. Thank you.  I want to have the chance to say it to you in person one day, but it really can't wait to be said. Thank you. :)   Klaire