ACT
EDUCATOR
THE POWER OF COLLABORATION
12
TERM 1 2014
Teachers on Twitter
Our New
Website
AU
www.aeuact.org.au
LIAN EDUC RA AT ST
AEU
U NIO N AC T BRANC H
Our new site makes it even easier to unite together. New members can use our online join facility to sign up. Our join video is a great way of letting colleagues know what our union is all about.
N IO
Latest news
Events Calendar
Get Advice
Were using our blog to keep you updated on all the news you need, when you need it. As well as viewing the latest news, you can easily sort posts by category to nd the information youre after.
The go-to place to nd out whats on, whether its a training session or a meeting of Branch Council. And you can RSVP online and see who else is going.
Weve made it really easy for you to nd out what you need to know about your rights at work with a Frequently Asked Questions page.
Contact
Members Area
Social
Find out more about the full-time ofcers working for you and also members of AEU ACT Executive on our people page.
Log in to the members area to update your personal details and access resources to help you perform your role in our union.
Keep up with our social media feeds and share the content you like!
New email address: aeuact@aeuact.org.au Staff email addresses are now: rst name.lastname@aeuact.org.au
Glenn.Fowler@aeuact.org.au Sue.Amundsen@aeuact.org.au Andy.Jennings@aeuact.org.au Lauren.McKee@aeuact.org.au Therese.Tonna@aeuact.org.au Joelle.Dulac@aeuact.org.au Sam.Delaney@aeuact.org.au Tom.Greenwell@aeuact.org.au ACT Educator Magazine / AEU ACT Branch
www.a
euact.o
rg.au
contents
8 12
www.aeua
ct.org.au
14
Teachers on Twitter
Features
Teachers on Twitter The Quizling App Gonski Vans arrive Surviving Your First Year Teaching Public Education Week 2014 A Helping Hand For Members In Crisis Mature-Age Survey Membership Form Office Team
Regulars
8 12 13 16 17 17 18 19 23
Presidents Report - Welcome to ACT Educator Upcoming Events Secretarys Report - The Power of Collaboration School Assistants Update Its About Recognition and Respect CIT Update Negotiations Nearing Conclusion Member Prole A Conversation with Nick Maniatis
4 4 5 6 7 14
More info
Feedback and Contributions Do you have any comment or feedback on the new look ACT Educator? Is there a story about your school that youd like us to share in our next edition? Would you like to write for us? Our next edition will celebrate public education. The editorial deadline is April 4. Please contact Tom Greenwell in the AEU ACT ofce (62727900, Tom.Greenwell@aeuact.org.au). Contact us Phone (02) 62727900 Email aeuact@aeuact.org.au Web aeuact.org.au Facebook facebook.com/aeuact Twitter twitter.com/aeuact Post PO Box 3042, Manuka 2603 Visit 40 Brisbane Avenue, Barton ACT 2600
Advertising Enquiries Contact Tom Greenwell Phone (02) 62727900 Email Tom.Greenwell@aeuact.org.au Deadline for next edition: April 4 Design Spectrum Graphics, sg.com.au Print Paragon Printers, paragonprint.com.au
Find us o n
Upcoming Events
Gonski Vans at Richardson Primary
Monday March 18 Before school Richardson Primary May Gibbs Close, Richardson
Branch Council
Saturday May 3 9am 12pm J Block Theatre, CIT Reid 37 Constitution Avenue
Branch Council
Saturday March 22 9am 12pm J Block Theatre, CIT Reid 37 Constitution Avenue
Wealth Creation
Thursday May 6
With Jennie Murray from State Super Financial Services 4pm 6pm Lake Ginninderra College 2 Emu Bank Belconnen
TAFE Council
Friday April 11 1:30pm 4pm E 207, CIT Reid 37 Constitution Avenue
By Glenn Fowler
The major focus of the current draft is on the resources needed to establish and maintain meaningful and sustainable teacher learning communities in schools. It calls for a reduction in face-to-face teaching hours to 20 in primary and 18 in secondary to ensure that collaboration and professional learning time is embedded within the teaching week. The international evidence for such a claim is very strong. Leading UK educational researcher Dylan Wiliam, who has provided much advice to leaders in the Directorate in the past, recently published on the importance of reforms such as this. He said: The only way to make system-
On March 22, elected representatives from every AEU sub-branch will meet at Council and debate and vote on our claim. The draft version of our claim includes things like reduced face-to-face teaching hours; nationally competitive salaries and payment of fees for certication. If you want changes or additions to our claim, call a meeting of your sub-branch and instruct your councillors accordingly.
I joined the AEU as an Learning Support Assistant working in the preschool early intervention unit two years ago. Its great to be part of a team that is working for better workplace conditions, career progression and better pay. Susan Thomson
Being a member is about being part of a community that offers me ongoing support. The AEU has a comprehensive understanding of where me and my co-workers are coming from as AEU staff have worked at the grassroots level. Jen Morgan
Preschool Assistants taken out of the SA2 classication which they have been stuck in for over 30 years and placed in the SA2/3 classication. This means over 130 assistants will be eligible to apply to progress through the competency barrier. Planning and Preparation time for all School Assistants. Payment and back payment of Special Education Allowance and First Aid Allowance to many members who were entitled to it but did not receive it.
Teachers on Twitter
With Twitter becoming an increasingly powerful tool for teachers, we sat down with AEU educators who are big on Twitter to nd out about how they use it in their practice.
Tom Greenwell (@TBGreenwell) spoke to: Prue Gill (@Prue_G, Lanyon High) Jason Borton (@Borto74, Richardson Primary) Craig Edwards (@CraigMEdwards, Gungahlin College) Betty Chau (@betchau, Dickson College) Shaun Haidon (@shaunhaidon Transitions & Careers in the Directorate) Glenn Fowler (@GlennFowler AEU, AEU ACT Secretary).
Q
Shaun: I got into Twitter through listening to a podcast by two guys from Victoria called the Ed Tech Crew. Twitter is a way of sharing information and I think it provides a social aspect to continuous learning and engagement with new ideas. Jason: I heard George Couros speak at an ILEAD conference. He asked questions about where we record our professional practice. How do you actually keep a log or record of what youre doing in your work? Prue: You can get snippets of things and decide Nope, Im not going to read it or Yep, Im going to look into that. So its a way of getting new ideas. I signed up two years ago and at rst I only followed Perez Hilton but in time I realized there was a lot more going on.
From left to right, Prue Gill, Jason Borton, Craig Edwards, Shaun Haidon and Betty Chau talking Twitter at Tilleys.
ACT Educator Magazine \ AEU ACT Branch
So, for example, our schools really focused on formative assessment as an instructional strategy. Ive connected with educators in Canada who are doing almost identical things and were sharing back-and-forth our successes and our roadblocks. So, it really opens the world up. Jason Borton
Q
Craig: One of the really good things Ive found is that the sharing that you do on Twitter just happens much faster. Ive heard it said that two weeks on Twitter is like spending two years at morning tea talking to colleagues about teaching. Betty: I went to a PD yesterday where John Goh was speaking and he asked the question: How many people do you normally talk to about education or about what youre doing in your classroom? People usually have ve or less. Whereas on Twitter you can have hundreds.
As a teacher, is Twitter just one more thing? Or is Twitter a better way of doing things youve always done?
Craig: Its a better way of doing what weve always done. Its quicker. Jason: I do a lot less email or surng because I can access specic information much more readily using Twitter. Prue: It also helps me remember things. Ill retweet something so I know where it is. Shaun: It denitely isnt an add-on to workload. It enriches the experience for students and for the teacher.
Shaun: I think it enriches the experience for the students and it enriches professional learning for the teacher. We always strive to learn about how we can be better at what we do and make the lives of our students better. Twitter is a way of building a professional learning network. Also, as an educator, its not just educators who are on Twitter. As a legal studies teacher, it was very handy to follow #auslegal. A lot of lawyers engage with it, so students, if they were having problems, could go straight to the source of industry. Prue: At our school, we wanted to do something new. Being on Twitter gave us access to other perspectives. Through Twitter, we actually went and visited a school in Sydney and saw what they were doing in terms of changing the way the classroom works.
Jason and Betty, youve both managed the @EduTweetOz account. Can you tell us a bit about what that is?
Betty: @EduTweetOz is a rotational account that was set up by a few educators in Sydney. A different educator takes over the account each week. It just happened I was doing it the week that Pyne backipped on Gonski. I thought Id make it a bit of a light-hearted thing and it was report writing season. So I made a hashtag #reportpyne, encouraging teachers and the public to write a report comment about Christopher Pyne. It ended up trending in Australia for two hours. So it was great!
10
Jason: My role was really to talk from a leadership perspective about starting off the school year on a positive note. Its something that Im really passionate about, especially around work-life balance and looking after yourself. Our jobs really hard and we need to make sure we dont overdo it because we need to be our best when were in front of kids. I had masses of positive responses from people who really appreciated that message from a school leader.
AT&T
11
12
or thirteen question quiz on the First World War, the ANZAC legend and the like. I put them into groups, pub-quiz style. It was fun and it gave me a lot of data on what they knew. It was also a really interesting way to stimulate a broader class discussion. For instance, it had a question about death tallies amongst the various nations in the Dardanelles campaign. I dont think any of the groups knew that more French soldiers died than Australian soldiers. They just thought the whole campaign was this slaughterhouse of Australians in their slouch hats. So it enabled us to launch into a discussion about how more French died than Australians and yet, in France, this is a minor campaign
that isnt celebrated at all. Something thats so signicant for us has next to no signicance for them.
Q. Have you been surprised at all by the ways teachers are using Quizling?
Dion: Primary school kids actually use it far more interactively where the students make their own quizzes on certain topics and play them against each other. In a year 1/2 class, students were putting in questions that they wanted answered. Then they put what they thought might be the answer. They loved putting information in the did you knows. So you can have that more student-focused style. //
More info
Check www.aeuact.org.au for details.
13
Q. It can be a pretty challenging role. How did you learn about whats involved?
Initially just from the printed materials provided by the AEU, the good old handbook, and some advice from those I was working with. I eventually attended valuable AEU training which made my role clear and gave me direction.
Q. What do you see as the most important aspects of being a sub-branch president?
Ive found that being very familiar with our enterprise agreement is often the best way to begin to resolve any workplace issue. Knowledge is also important. Sometimes members seek advice in order to make important personal or career decisions, but the decisions cant be made without knowledge of our working environment. Helping members nd the right information, or being able to help them nd someone who can advise them, without being judgmental and maintaining
Nick Maniatis
14
Ive found that being very familiar with our enterprise agreement is often the best way to begin to resolve any workplace issue.
condentiality can be really tricky. Its also important for a sub-branch to understand whats happening more widely, and thats where reporting signicant events and decisions from council meetings comes in. Having healthy and productive relationships with the school leadership team is of utmost importance too. school environments and communities in texts. Generally, the students pick a text they love and then look deeply at what the representations within imply about school and then compare that to their own experiences.
Q. What texts about teachers and schools do you tend to cover in the class?
Ive used everything youd expect, particularly the lms with the amazing teacher trope. But I really love showing episodes of shows I watched when I was growing up, Degrassi, Saved by the Bell, Press Gang, along with shows like Invader Zim and The Simpsons. We read short stories and poems too. I try to include as many forms of text as possible.
Q. You teach an English unit called Representations of Schooling. Where did the idea come from?
I think the origins of the Representations on Schooling unit are in why I became a teacher. I guess the idea of being a teacher, which Id learned from consuming books, television, and movies ended up being signicantly different to being a teacher. Term 4 is a notoriously difcult time to engage Year 10 students, so I decided to teach a survey unit with the end point of critically analysing the representation of teachers, students,
15
Q. What about the new educator support days? Did you nd them helpful?
Patrick: I used my support days to go on a range of different courses in behaviour management and collaborative learning, including a session on cooperative reading. Suki: These days were crucial for my development as a teacher last year. I went to a new educator day as part of the New Educator Support Program which focused on behaviour management and I was able to discuss some of the behavioural issues I was having in class with other
Youre not alone, so share everything! Sharing your problems with other staff members and working together to solve them is, for me, what the AEU is all about.
16
Friday 23rd of May: Performance Showcase Event A great opportunity for your students to strut their stuff. Venues to be conrmed
Jane Caro
Brian Schmidt
When I recently found myself in nancial hardship, AEU officers explained the Teacher Welfare Fund to me. I applied for a small loan, which was granted within two days. I am now experiencing a much better nancial situation, thanks to the AEU. Without this service I would have not been able to pay my basic needs.
Recipient of a loan from the Teacher Welfare Fund
17
18
AU
LIAN EDUC RA AT ST
AC
UNIO N T BRANCH
Its important educators have a voice. Thats where the union comes in.
joiny! other. And united together, toda we make a difference.
Were here to support each
A union for public school teachers, school assistants and teachers at CIT.
ION AT
N IO
AEU
U NIO N AC T BRANC H
Australian Education Union ACT Visit 40 Brisbane Avenue, Barton ACT 2600 Post PO Box 3042, Manuka 2603 Phone (02) 62727900 Web www.aeuact.org.au Email aeuact@aeuact.org.au Facebook facebook.com/aeuact Twitter twitter.com/aeuact
AU
LIAN EDUC RA AT ST
N IO
AEU
U NIO N AC T BRANC H
The employer does not provide journey cover. As an AEU member youre covered. If you are injured travelling to or from work or professional learning events, you are eligible for income protection under our policy.
Better conditions
Union Shopper
You have smaller class sizes, paid maternity leave, permanent part-time work, reduced face-to-face hours for beginning teachers, new educator support days and a union constantly campaigning to improve the conditions in your workplace.
With the collective buying power of union members across Australia, you get great deals on electrical products, travel services, cars, computers, phones and more.
Whenever you have questions about topics like salary, leave, entitlements, probation, contracts, transfer, workload and work safety you have a network of support at your school and full-time paid ofcers to assist you.
You are eligible to join Teachers Health Fund, the national, not-for-prot health fund designed exclusively for education union members and their families.
Your representatives are constantly meeting with public servants and politicians to make sure they understand what its like in the classroom. You also have a voice in the media making sure the community understands the challenges we face and the great work we do.
Youre part of a democratic organisation in which you have a say. You choose who you feel best represents your interests in your workplace or you can become a representative yourself.
You are part of a community of 3,500 educators in the ACT and nearly 200,000 educators across Australia. Meet people, share ideas and collaborate.
You have a champion for public education in the community, promoting our schools and winning extra resources for them.
If you ever run into trouble, whether youre not being treated fairly at work or you nd yourself in nancial hardship, we stick by each other.
Training
You can access training on maternity leave, managing nances and superannuation, applying for jobs, preparing for leadership and other aspects of your professional life.
You only pay .85% of your salary. Thats only $21 a fortnight for a beginning teacher. In addition, your union fees are tax deductible!
1) Personal Details
Title: Postal Address: Home Phone: Please indicate preferred Phone: Work Email: Please indicate preferred email: Gender: Mobile: First Name: Surname: Postcode: Work Phone:
Mobile
Personal email:
Work
Do you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander? Are you from a language background other than English? If yes what is your primary language: Have you previously been a member of the AEU-ACT Branch? Were you asked by a colleague to join the AEU? If yes, please provide colleagues name
Unspecied No No No No
Intersex
2) Employment
School Teacher go to section 3 School Assistant go to section 4 CIT Teacher go to section 5
3) School Teacher
Work Location: Gross Annual Salary: Employment Status:
4) School Assistant
Work Location: Gross Annual Salary: Employment Status:
Sector:
Full time permanent Full time contract Part time permanent % load: Part time contract % load: Relief Average days per week: 0-1 2-3 3-5 Primary: Preschool Primary: K-2 Primary: 3-6 Secondary: High School Secondary: College ACT School Ofce Other Classroom Teacher Subject Speciality: School Psychologist Teacher Librarian Executive Teacher Deputy Principal Principal
Sector:
Full time permanent Full time contract Part time permanent % load: Part time contract % load: Relief Average days per week: 0-1 2-3 3-5 Primary: Preschool Primary: K-2 Primary: 3-6 Secondary: High School Secondary: College ACT School Ofce Other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Ofcer Bilingual Assistant Learning Support Assistant Defence Transition Mentor Library Assistant General Assistant Preschool Assistant Hearing Support Assistant School Administration Assistant Home Science Assistant Vision Support Assistant ICT Assistant Youth Support Worker Laboratory Assistant
Progress to section 6
Position:
Position:
Progress to section 6
5) CIT Teacher
College:
Work Location:
Business, Tourism, Accounting & Communication Trade Skills & Vocational Learning Building, Technology & Design Health, Community & Science Bruce Reid Fyshwick Tuggeranong Gungahlin Woden
Position:
Full time permanent Full time contract Part time permanent % load: Part time contract % load: Casual Average hours per week: 0-6 7-14 15-20 Teacher Subject Speciality: Teacher: Educational Development & Support Education Manager Head of Department Head of College
6) Membership Agreement
I hereby apply for membership of the ACT Branch of the Australian Education Union and if admitted agree to abide by the Rules of the Union. AEU Rules can be found at www.aeuact.org.au. I agree to pay to the AEU fees owing in accordance with the Unions schedule of subscriptions. I understand that my fees will be adjusted automatically in line with salary movements. I recognise that I must inform the Union of any other salary or status adjustments otherwise I will not be a fully nancial member and may not be eligible for the full range of services. I understand that the Unions Rules require me to give written notice of resignation.
7) Payment Options
Fortnightly Payroll Deduction (permanent and contract staff only)
I authorise the AEU to contact ETD to commence fortnightly deductions at the appropriate rate as soon as possible. I authorise the AEU to access my salary and other employment details from the Education and Training Directorate for the purpose of updating AEU membership records. AGS Number (found on payslip): Signature: Date:
MasterCard
Visa
Thanks for joining our community of 3,500 ACT educators and nearly 200,000 educators nationwide! Well be in touch soon to conrm your membership and tell you more about how you can access the benets of being a member and take an active role in our union.
The AEU will not sell or provide any information regarding AEU ACT Branch members to third parties. The AEUs Privacy Policy may be viewed at www.aeuact.org.au.
4.DISPUTED DEBITS Any participating member who wishes to dispute a debit item related to this Agreement shall direct their queries in the rst instance to the Union. Any such queries or matters of dispute shall be addressed in writing to the Branch Secretary who shall investigate and adjudicate on the matter within 14 days of receiving any such correspondence. 5.DIRECT DEBIT ACCOUNTS Direct debiting through the bulk electronic clearing system is not available on all accounts. If in doubt please refer to your nancial institution before completing the Direct Debit Request. It is the members responsibility to check that account details are correct. 6.COLLECTION DAYS When the due date for collection is not a normal business day (normally a state or national public holiday) the collection shall be made on the nearest normal business day after to the regular due date. If a member is uncertain as to when a debit will be processed to his/her account they should enquire direct to their nancial institution. 7.REJECTED DEBITS It is the responsibility of the member to have sufcient clear funds available in the relevant account by the due date to permit payment of debit items included under the direct debit request. If a direct debit is rejected by a members nancial institution their Union membership fee remains due and payable. The member shall also be responsible for any fees related to the rejection applied by the nancial institution. 8.PRIVACY Access to Information The Union shall preserve the privacy of the members records and account details whilst noting that these details may have to be divulged to the sponsor nancial institution when requested.
AUS
AU
AN EDU ALI C TR
AE U
LIAN EDUC RA AT ST
ION AT
N IO
AEU
t.org.au
More in
fo
23