About this eportfolio

I am a teacher at The Woden School, which is a specialist school for students in years 7 to 12 with a mild to moderate intellectual disability and/or autism. I teach a range of subjects throughout the whole school. 

Since arriving in Canberra and starting at The Woden School I have been the school's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Co-ordinator, a role I also had in my previous school in Tasmania for a number of years.

I have had a leadership role this year in coordinating the transition  process for all year 7 students. Our students come from many schools and this has entailed visiting students at their home schools and liaising with school teams to ensure a smooth transition. I have incorporated  technology into this process and students are all provided with visual support for their move. I have led and supported all year 7 Pastoral Care teachers to establish and maintain positive relationships and collaborative partnerships with family and community. I have initiated and prepared resources for year seven Pastoral Care teachers covering important topics such as becoming a teenager, the negative effects of drugs and alcohol, cyber bullying/ cyber safety, grooming and hygiene and how to care for themselves and others.

I have initiated and created many opportunities to share my experiences and knowledge with my colleagues by organising and delivering in house training session in the use of Interactive white boards, one on one coaching and state level training sessions with a positive and contemporary focus on student engagement. I have also shared all my resources on the “G” Drive so the whole school can have access to these resources.

I led my school in the implementation of the use of iPads and smart whiteboards as a teaching tool. I have designed classes for all students and created a shared folder where every teacher can access these activities to use across the school and across the curriculum. 

Late 2012 I saw the need to establish a designated a multimedia computer lab. After some strategic negotiating with my Principal, I have established an Apple computer Lab for our students to express their creativity. Since then, students have worked enthusiastically to design and develop a 2013 year book ready for publication later this semester. This is the first time that students with a disability at our school, have been able to take such a leadership role in a complex publication task - a ground breaking initiative for our school community.

Throughout the school a number of staff have initiated and delivered, audio visual projects as they increase and develop their technology skills. We are now in the process of developing a Short Film Festival and we hope to take this project into a state-wide initiative that we hope will elevate our school profile within our community. 

 

Referees:

Mr Ian Copland, Principal ian.copland@ed.act.edu.au Ph: 62055966

Ms Penny Mims, Deputy Principal penny.mims@ed.act.edu.au Ph: 62055966

Mr Peter Taylor, Executive Teacher peter.taylor@ed.act.edu.au  Ph: 62055966