WHSC @ the Professional Development Program

In the ever-changing field of education, it is essential for teachers to stay up-to-date with the latest teaching practices and techniques. At Wheelers Hill Secondary School, the Professional Development Program takes great pride in its dedication to professional development and has made significant progress in this area. 

One of the most critical aspects of the Professional Development Program is to establish a transparent and trustworthy environment among the staff. The primary goal is to promote the growth of each teacher by involving them in Performance and Development Plans and providing them with various opportunities for professional learning. 

The foundation of the Professional Development Program is to ensure that every teacher is well-versed in the latest research on effective teaching practices. There is also an emphasis on strict adherence to mandatory DE training requirements to ensure that educators remain at the forefront of educational excellence. 

The Professional Development (PD) Program offers comprehensive professional learning opportunities throughout the school. For example, all VCE Teachers have the opportunity to participate in tailored professional development sessions that significantly contribute to the enhancement of their teaching skills. 

Furthermore, all staff members are invited to participate in the program. This year, two staff members at Wheelers Hill Secondary School, David Teakle and Asha Kumari, actively participate in Teachers Excellence Programs facilitated by the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, a year-long professional learning program for highly skilled teachers that supports and challenges them to become even better teachers. They successfully completed the program in December 2023. 

An outstanding feat was the professional learning session featuring Andrew Douch, a highly respected independent education technology consultant and keynote presenter. Andrew shared valuable insights on critical topics such as wellbeing, questioning techniques, feedback strategies, and differentiated teaching. PD sessions serve as powerful reminders to educators of the crucial role they play in shaping the minds of their students. 

To further support the educators, the Professional Development Program spearheaded the creation of the WHSC Teachers' Resource Hub. This hub serves as a centralised repository, offering easily accessible summaries on research-based topics in education. The aim behind this initiative is to provide the staff with a convenient and comprehensive resource that complements their ongoing professional development journey. 

In conclusion, the Professional Development Program's primary objective is to cultivate a culture of growth and continuous learning within the Wheelers Hill Secondary School community. As they celebrate their achievements and progress, they look forward to building upon this foundation in the years to come. Together, they remain committed to creating an environment where educators thrive, ensuring that the students receive the highest quality of education. 

Sincerely, 

Nery Soto 

Teaching & Learning Leader