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Hi, Thanks Sharon for the final edit. It looks great.

Leanne, I think it would be best if we all submit the final draft and our reflections. It may be doubling up but at least Al will know we all participated, and it allows Sharon some extra time for her reflection.

I am going to submit the final handbook a. docx below. Thanks, it was good working with you. Liz

Hi Thank Liz for your kind words, and thanks for all the great work you have put in. I have made a couple of changes to the document being: editing my section (colleageus) to match the rest of the document. changed a couple of spelling errors throughout, also some of the text was calibri, some was times new roman - so i just fixed that. Thanks everyone for the assistance and support with this assignment. Wishing you all the best for your studies and future career. Sharon

Hi Sharon I am so very sorry to hear your news...please know that we are all thinking of you and your family. I am sorry i have not been on in the past few days our little new born has been extremely sick... When we are submitting this do we all submit the booklet or do we only submit our reflections with one person submitting the booklet..

Thanks everyone and it was great working with you all, it was great we could work together in renee's absence to complete this booklet. Hi Sharon,

Deepest condolences to you and your family.

You have shown so much strength continuing your studies during these last few weeks.

Don't worry about the intro I will use a combination of yours, Leanne's and Mine to make sure I get all the good points.

I have attached the final draft and if there are no major changes I'll submit tomorrow. Thanks

Liz

Hi everyone,

My apologies for not making contact over the last week. As I may have mentioned in the early days of this assignment my sister was suffering terminal cancer. She passed away on the weekend.

I will in a minute copy and paste my missing reference, and look for the intro I had worked on. I know you may have already completed the intro Liz, so I'm not concerned if you use yours, just thought if you haven't yet had a chance to do yours it might save you the time.

I am assuming we all submit a copy of the assignment through learnline with our reflection? As I haven't yet made my reflection legible I might be asking Al for an extension due to being a bit scatterbrain at the moment. See how I go.

Sharon.

Missing Reference: Lundsgaard, N., 2004, //Teachers Collaborate to Improve Student Learning//, Small Schools Project, Seattle WA, available from http://www.smallschoolsproject.org/PDFS/focus/focus_vol3-10.pdf Thanks, Sharon ..................................................................................................................................................................................... Hi again, this is what I had for the intro:

This booklet has been designed by staff here at Nice Place School as a guide to assist you, the new teacher, in identifying the key partners you are likely to encounter, and outline helpful strategies that may assist in making rewarding and effective partnerships during your time at this school and beyond. As a new teacher at Nice Place School we want you to hold onto those desires that bought you to education: a deep caring for students, the opportunity to be one who sparks student growth and change, as well as the desire to be involved in work that matters. Please, take the time to read through this handbook, and keep it handy for future reference. We value each and every team member, and encourage you to attend our staff meetings Wednesday Mornings at 8am (in the staffroom). If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly teacher liaison staff as listed below. Renee Doroshenko Smith email??? Elizabeth Roberts email??? Leanne Kelly email??? Sharon Harvey sharon.harvey@students.cdu.edu.au
 * Welcome to Nice Place School,**
 * Where effective collaboration divides the task and multiplies the success.**

As i mentioned I'm easy, if you already have one sorted then I'm ok if you use yours. Thanks, Sharon .........................................................................................................................................................................................

Hi all, (12th April, 2011) Welcome to the last week of this assignment. Thank you for your contributions and comments They were supportive and helpful.

I have not heard from Renee but I hope she is OK, I think that leaving the Introduction and contents to her will be a good idea as we do not know what has kept her from us (it may have been quite stressful). If we do not hear from her before Wednesday I will tweek the beirf intro we have and include a tableof contents.

I will put up a final draft, for last minute edit and approval an **Wednesday Night** please log on and read through. Then would you be happy for submission on Thursday?

Great working with you LIZ

Hi all, Just to let you know that I have altered our booklet to an A4 size this helps withthe resizing of the blocks for text, and it can be reduced for printing later. I Sharon - I just need the Lunsguard reference (In you rfirst paragraph) Liz

Hi everyone, Instead of jumping back and forward through all the pages, I have compiled the assignment into one page (below), so we can view it as a long document here. Just thought it might be easier to see how it flows as a full document - and also because It's getting a bit confusing with all the different pages! If it's OK with the group how about we make any changes to this page (as per liz's comments above about highlighting / changing colours), and when we are all happy we can transfer the whole document over to Liz's colourful handbook? Is that ok? Sharon.

__ Introduction __
 * COVER **

__ Contents __


 * COLLEAGUES **

Colleague collaboration is a whole staff focus involving a common desire for the improvement of teaching practices and student learning. Successful collaboration has a positive impact on student outcomes, teacher professional development, creating ownership within the school, and implementing a whole school focus. //Collaboration involves building strong professional relationships through ethical behaviors, supporting team members, and valuing mentoring partnerships.// (Lundsgard)

Collegial Ethical behavior includes having //positive regards for other staff, through respect, caring, integrity, diligence and open communication//. To ensure that ethical behavior standards are adhered to, teachers are encouraged to;
 * act with impartiality, truthfulness and honesty,
 * be fair and reasonable,
 * focus on anti-discriminatory actions,
 * work together as a team,
 * share knowledge and expertise,
 * be loyal and supporting of each other. (week 3 reading – behaving ethically)

Support networks include //administration, peer and mentor teachers, and paraprofessionals// such as teacher aides, volunteers and specialist teachers. New teachers are initially supported by highly experienced peers and mentors who are a wealth of information allowing opportunity for modeling, observations, dialogue, practice, continuity in caring, teaming, reflection, and confirmation of actions therefore helping the mentored teacher develop a high level of practical competency and maintaining enthusiasm for teaching, (reading 1.1).

New teachers are also often required to supervise, manage and evaluate paraprofessionals interaction within the classroom. These //paraprofessional are an integral part of the schooling environment making a positive impact in the school system when utilized efficiently.// Collaboration between members of these support networks is essential in the building of strong relationships to develop new knowledge leading to curriculum reform and transformation of teaching for social change (reading 3.10).

Thus, working as part of a team, it is expected that all teachers:
 * develop and share common visions;
 * share in decision making;
 * display openness, honesty, respect, and trust;
 * use clear communication;
 * display the ability to talk constructively through conflicts;
 * make use of team resources. (reading 1.1)

A positive teacher-student relationship is an essential factor influencing the motivation, achievement and behavior of all students, especially those with additional needs and requirements (Jones, V. & Jones, L. 2001). Students especially those in the younger years will look up to you as a role model, someone they feel safe around so it is vital that trust be a critical component gained. Trust needs to be built from the first point of contact with your students and gained as the year progresses. Showing interest in your students/getting to know them personally will build a strong relationship with the student (Jones, V. & Jones, L. 2001). A positive relationship between student and teacher is crucial for an appropriate educational, this can be seen through the use of good communication, respect in the classroom and maintaining an appropriate and effective teaching method to keep all students interested. Starting a new school is very overwhelming for students in order for a new student to adjust it is important to buddy them up with a class member who can show the student around the school, this will enhance the students knowledge of not only the classrooms they may require but all the teachers names and positions they hold. Notes home are a common practice in this school however every note must be checked and signed off by the principle before permission is given to hand out to the students. Even the best of students will get bored and not listen this can be reduced by ensuring excellent pedagogical practices underpin the curriculum, add some things into teaching what the children are interested in. If a child likes cars, when math’s is being taught you may like to include counting cars into your planning. There are a lot of practices to take into consideration however by using these you will enhance your teacher student relationship and your students will have a fun and educational year. According to Mr. Hunt (Principle, Nice State School) if personal needs are to be met in the classroom whether they be academic achievement or personal than it is crucial that a strong teacher-student relationship is seen.
 * STUDENTS **

**FAMILIES** As a new teacher it is imperative to make a good impression and connect with the families in your class. On your first day plan time for chatting with caregivers at drop off and invite them to stay after the bell and join the class as you introduce yourself and meet the children. Within the first few weeks the school will hold an information night; this is an opportunity for caregivers to come to the classroom and be informed of the years learning journey, routines, volunteer registry and provides a time for you to meet and get to know the diverse families in you class. Understanding and supporting the variety and dynamics of your students, their families and the culture they bring to your classroom will promote inclusively and friendliness (Rosenburg, O’shea & O’shea, 2002). We encourage you to organise a get together for you class and their caregivers outside of school. For example an evening picnic at a local park. This provides you the opportunity to socialise with caregivers in a peer situation, remember they are the expert on their child and may hold vital information in how to manage behavioural or emotional issues (Pirola-Merlo, 2003). It also allows your families to view you in a less authoritarian manner (Carrington, 2009). There will be times when you will need to speak to caregivers about issues or concerns, it is best to do this in a meeting. Plan an agenda for the meeting with a set purpose and structure. Always lead with the child’s strengths, then outline the issue and work together to plan goals and objectives. Actively listen to the parent and respect their input. Remember it is //**the problem that is the problem not the child**// or their family (Porter 2008). Every family has hopes and dreams for their child that will last longer then the year you teach him/her, tread with care, value each child and the contribution of the people who love them.

M. Hunt (principle) informs that as teachers we need to be aware that community is what makes or breaks a school, without the support of a community than a school is ineffective. As an effective teacher you must have a clear understanding of a range of culture which is seen throughout the school. You need to listen to students and understand the diverse backgrounds which students come from (** Carrington, S. 2009 **). In your teaching career you will come across dealings with many outside agencies to ensure the best protection/needs for your students is being met. Such agencies may be government agencies such as child welfare or an organisation dealing in a student with a disability. Strong community values are an important issue in this school. As M.Hunt (principle) states this school has adopted a value-based planning which includes the involvement of both parents and the community to help in decision making in regards to our school. Ways in which you as an effective teacher may like to involve the community in your students education are having community member speak to your class, involve students in investigating organizations before having a guest speaker from that particular organisation. You need to take into account the background of your students when providing guest speakers. As a school is it vital we keep a positive involvement with the community as not only do they provide funding in some areas, the community has a large say in how our school is run and the events that take place, which is seen through the P&C.
 * COMMUNITY **

**REFERENCES**

Hi Guys,

I thought I'd make a start on Assignment 1 and open my first wiki.

**Focus:**

 * 1) Collaboratively create a handbook for beginning teachers that identifies the __key partners__ s/he is likely to encounter and __outlines the strategies__ that he she could use to ensure effective partnerships with them. (1200 - 1500 words)
 * 2) Present a written reflection and evaluation of your part in the collaboration process. (300 - 500 words)

I thought we might start brainstorming lists of partnerships and strategies then in a week or so select the relationships we would like to focus on and research more on the most appropriate strategies. Please feel free to suggest new ideas but please as a netieqitte note **please identify (by** highlighting **or** changing colours **) which elements of someone elses work if you wish them to be deleted**, or if you think it could be put better please highlight then rewrite. No one wants their contribution to be rejected without proper group consultation. //Really Like the idea I've highlighted above: not just out of courtesy, but as a simpler way of tracking changes that having to use the history all the time. :) Al//

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