Teacher StatusAnnette Duffy, Guardian Angels Catholic Primary School, Ashmore City, Queensland. AbstractTeacher status, whether within the profession or from the broader community, directly affects performance in the role and ultimately the learning outcomes of students. Government and system initiatives such as rearranging the content and delivery of the curriculum have a minimal and even negative effect on student outcomes unless the teacher is afforded the status of an interactive participant. If Australia's future as a credible country in the global circuit is dependent on a nation of well educated persons, then it is essential we have an active. motivated and highly competent teaching force. This teaching force is born from, among other things, appropriate role modelling and the style of professional development adopted. Teachers at Guardian Angels have been empowered to take control of their own Professional Development for the last three years through the National Professional Development Program. Besides the impact this style of Professional Development has had on the teachers in the learning concept it has had a positive effect on student learning particularly in the metacognitive domain. This paper will outline the action research conducted by Guardian Angels teachers and their academic friends. It will describe the actual effects Optimum Learning has had on teachers both personally and professionally and their students. |
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