Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Teaching Standards
Professional
Teaching Standards
A
NSW INSTITUTE OF TEACHERS
Professional
Teaching Standards
CONTENTS
Professional Knowledge
ELEMENT 1 ...................................................................................................... 4
ELEMENT 2 ...................................................................................................... 5
Professional Practice
ELEMENT 3 ...................................................................................................... 7
ELEMENT 4 ...................................................................................................... 9
ELEMENT 5 .................................................................................................... 10
Professional Commitment
ELEMENT 6 ................................................................................................... 12
ELEMENT 7 .................................................................................................... 14
1
Professional
Teaching Standards
Application of the Standards will knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to successful practitioners. They are
sustain and stimulate teachers in their plan for and manage successful learning. recognised by other teachers as having
professional practice and support quality in-depth subject knowledge and pedagogy.
These teachers are equipped to engage
learning opportunities for all students. They keep abreast of and contribute to
in and negotiate a process of ongoing
Improving student learning is the central professional learning and educational
professional learning. They identify their
purpose of teaching. The Standards discussions as well as contributing to
development needs and seek advice
articulate the link between the quality of the professional learning of others.
and support from colleagues. They have
teachers’ practice and student learning.
high expectations of themselves as They engage in educational and
All the standards are described in a
professional learners and for the learning professional discussions and debates.
context of improving student learning by
of their students. Their commitment They recognise their role in contributing
either directly focusing on quality
to students and student learning is to the professional learning of others
teaching practices or indirectly by
reflected in their desire to support including mentoring beginning teachers.
focusing on the knowledge and skills
students’ achievement of the highest
of teachers.
possible education outcomes. These teachers are advocates for
the profession and their school. They
The Framework describes clear
They have the commitment, enthusiasm communicate effectively to diverse
benchmarks for identifying and
and interpersonal skills to assume a audiences. They interact professionally
describing effective teaching. The
professional role within schools and their with the community.
Standards provide a language that can
broader communities and to contribute
be used by teachers to communicate Professional Leadership
to the operations of a school as a whole.
with the community about their profession These teachers have a record of
and in so doing advance the status and Professional Competence outstanding teaching and are committed
standing of the profession. Professionally competent teachers to enhancing the quality of teaching and
have demonstrated successful teaching learning. They are committed educators
THE STRUCTURE experience. They have met the who can articulate a vision of education
OF THE FRAMEWORK standards for professional competence. to their students, peers, the profession
The Framework of Professional and the wider community.
They effectively monitor, evaluate and
Teaching Standards comprises four plan for learning. They are able to tailor They may be employed in formal
key stages, three teaching domains teaching programs to meet the needs of leadership positions within schools.
and seven elements. individuals and groups within the class.
They are knowledgeable about the
These teachers have a record of effective
KEY STAGES latest developments in pedagogy
and ongoing professional learning. They
The four key stages are designed as and can apply those developments to
work collegially and in teams to further
a foundation for the future accreditation improve student learning. They have
enhance their professional practice. They
of teachers. outstanding interpersonal and leadership
take responsibility for collaboration with
skills. These skills are underpinned by
others to identify and address their own
The key stages are: principles of fairness, compassion
learning needs.
and integrity.
Graduate teacher
They are effective members of a school
Graduate teachers are beginning their They recognise the talents of others and
and its broader community and interact
teaching career in NSW. They have promote and encourage those people
effectively with all those involved.
undertaken an approved program of to achieve their potential. They apply
teacher preparation or its equivalent Professional Accomplishment critical analysis and problem-solving
elsewhere, and possess the requisite They are highly accomplished and skills to educational matters. They
2
Professional
Teaching Standards
engage in professional learning and technologies; capacity to apply effective This domain describes also the
assist and support the professional strategies for teaching Aboriginal and relationship of teachers to the wider
learning needs of others, particularly Torres Strait Islander students, students community. Teachers do not operate in
induction programs for beginning with special education needs, students isolation but rather value opportunities
teachers. They communicate effectively from non-English speaking backgrounds, to engage actively with other members
with the community to support the students with challenging behaviour; of their profession and their school
development of the school and promote and literacy education. communities. They understand and
student learning. value the importance of close links
Professional Practice between the school, home and
This domain focuses on the action or community in the social and intellectual
DOMAINS
process of teaching as well as the development of their students.
The Standards within each key stage knowledge and skills gained through
are intended to describe the nature of experience as a teacher. It encompasses Finally, this domain is concerned with
teachers’ work in three domains: the effective development of teaching and ensuring teachers adopt professional
learning programs and the appropriate ethics with regard to their own conduct
They are:
organisation, selection, development and that of others. This includes the
Professional Knowledge and use of materials and resources. capacity to act professionally at all times
Professional Practice in their dealings with students, peers,
The domain includes the ability to colleagues and the community.
Professional Commitment.
communicate effectively with students.
Professional Knowledge Effective communication includes a
ELEMENTS
This domain encompasses knowledge repertoire of inquiry techniques and
teaching strategies as well as the ability The elements describe the areas
and understanding of the fundamental
to use a range of tools, activities, and encompassed within the domains. They
ideas, principles and structure of the
resources to engage their students in give a logical organisational structure
subject/disciplines taught by teachers.
learning. It includes the capacity to for consistent presentation
It includes knowledge and understanding
communicate the essential concepts and of the standards within each key stage.
of the links to other content areas as well
as integration of that learning across relationships of the teaching area as well
The seven elements are:
and between content areas. This as relating to students and assisting
their emotional and social development. Teachers know their subject/content
knowledge includes the application
and how to teach that content to
of content to curriculum requirements
The importance of effective planning, their students
as they apply in the school.
assessment and reporting is also Teachers know their students and
For teachers, knowledge of subject essential to a teacher’s practice. This how students learn
content is inextricably linked to the incorporates the ability to plan for
Teachers plan, assess and report
need to know and understand what learning, use a range of formative and
for effective learning
constitutes effective pedagogy in the summative assessment techniques and
learning area. All teachers, both primary report on learning. Underpinning this Teachers communicate effectively
and secondary, must both know their component of teaching practice is the with their students
subject/content and how to teach it. provision of both formal and informal Teachers create and maintain
feedback to students as a stimulus safe and challenging learning
The domain also includes in-depth to learning. environments through the use of
knowledge of the characteristics classroom management skills
of students and their implications Fundamental to this domain is the
Teachers continually improve their
for teaching and learning. These capacity of teachers to establish a
professional knowledge and practice
characteristics include the diverse climate where learning is valued and
social, cultural, ethnic, religious and fostered. This climate is established Teachers are actively engaged
special-learning-needs background of largely by managing the range of members of their profession and
students and the influences these have behaviours and situations that can the wider community.
on teaching and learning. It includes occur in the classroom.
knowledge of varied approaches to
learning and how students’ skills, Professional Commitment
interests and prior learning affect The commitment domain encompasses
learning. In addition, it incorporates the capacity of teachers to reflect critically
knowledge of typical physical and on their own practice accompanied by a
intellectual development characteristics commitment to their own development.
of students. A major component of this is the ability
to engage in personal and collegial
The mandatory components of teacher professional learning including
education are also incorporated into contributing to professional communities.
this domain. They include knowledge
of information and communication
3
Professional Knowledge
ELEMENT 1
TEACHERS KNOW THEIR SUBJECT CONTENT AND HOW TO TEACH THAT CONTENT TO THEIR STUDENTS
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
4
Professional Knowledge
ELEMENT 2
TEACHERS KNOW THEIR STUDENTS AND HOW THEY LEARN
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
5
Professional Knowledge
ELEMENT 2
TEACHERS KNOW THEIR STUDENTS AND HOW THEY LEARN
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
6
Professional Practice
ELEMENT 3
TEACHERS PLAN, ASSESS AND REPORT FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
7
Professional Practice
ELEMENT 3
TEACHERS PLAN, ASSESS AND REPORT FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
8
Professional Practice
ELEMENT 4
TEACHERS COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH THEIR STUDENTS
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
9
Professional Practice
ELEMENT 5
TEACHERS CREATE AND MAINTAIN SAFE AND CHALLENGING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
THROUGH THE USE OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT SKILLS
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
10
Professional Practice
ELEMENT 5
TEACHERS CREATE AND MAINTAIN SAFE AND CHALLENGING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
THROUGH THE USE OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT SKILLS
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
11
Professional Commitment
ELEMENT 6
TEACHERS CONTINUALLY IMPROVE THEIR PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
12
Professional Commitment
ELEMENT 6
TEACHERS CONTINUALLY IMPROVE THEIR PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
13
Professional Commitment
ELEMENT 7
TEACHERS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED MEMBERS OF THEIR PROFESSION AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY
KEY STAGE
ASPECT GRADUATE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE ACCOMPLISHMENT LEADERSHIP
14