Professional Experience Program

PE1 2013 3/6/13 - 28/6/13

PE2 2013 12/8/13 - 20/9/13

Professional Experience is the central component of all pre-service programs. It is where theory and practice is integrated and inter-related. This critical component sees the School of Education and schools working collaboratively to ensure student teachers can demonstrate achievement of the National Teaching Standards.

Preservice teachers engage in ongoing professional learning during the school practicum blocks. Through careful observation and supervised teaching, Professional Experience provides student teachers with the opportunity to develop a range of teaching skills and understandings essential to plan for and manage successful classrooms. In addition, Professional Experience is designed to ensure student teachers take part in a range of activities outside the classroom to fully appreciate a teacher’s role.

Professional Experience enables pre-service teachers to acquire the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to plan for and manage successful classrooms. It aims to develop a strong commitment, enthusiasm and respect for the teaching profession. It encourages pre-service teachers to engage with the broader community.

Professional Experience is undertaken in a variety of settings, as advised by the NSW Institute of Teachers (pre-service teachers must complete Professional Experience in at least 2 schools). Placements should also be diverse. Placements should offer diversity in year levels and subjects taught, educational sectors (DET, independent, Catholic and other denominations), geographical location (inner city, outer suburbs, rural), and socio-economic profile of the school. .

Professional Experience begins with 3 days of observation followed by a specified number of days of teaching experience. Observation of lessons enables pre-service teachers to see various teaching styles and strategies and to get to know the school and the students he/she will teach. By observing teachers of these classes, the pre-service teacher will become familiar with the management, planning and sequencing of lessons in those classes. During this period, pre-service teachers should also gain an understanding of the range of activities that occurs both inside and outside the classroom, and the roles of the teaching and non-teaching staff within the school. Observation of lessons must continue throughout Professional Experience after the formal observation period is complete.