Teacher Refresher Courses
The Teacher Refresher Courses will provide you with an opportunity to
- reconnect with the professional world of education, investigate current school and classroom practices, in particular classroom curriculum and pedagogy
- work and learn together with other teachers and share experiences, hopes, expectations and concerns
- explore the roles of a contemporary teacher e.g. using evidence to inform practice and independent or collaborative professional inquiry.
Who are Teacher Refresher Courses for?
To be eligible you need to be a Qualified teacher who:
- is looking to return to teaching in a Victorian Government School
- is registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (http://www.vit.vic.edu.au)
If you have worked as a Casual Relief Teacher, or are a registered teacher who has interstate and/or overseas training /experience or have not taught in a Victorian government school, you are also eligible to apply.
Priority will be given to applicants who express interest in teaching in a government school in hard to staff locations and subject areas. An up-to-date list of these is available at: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/careers/teaching/incentives/teachinghow.htm
A 15 week program, the International Teacher program , targeting overseas trained/experienced teachers who are registered with the VIT is also provided by DEECD.
What is the structure of the Teacher Refresher Course?
The main structure of the course consists of:
- a range of pre-workshop and in-between workshop ‘Preparing for Learning’ activities
- four workshop-based learning days
- two site-based learning days. Site based learning takes place in a range of schools (with an optional extension of an additional 1-2 days)
In addition you will have access to a number of flexible, self-paced, online learning options in the form of:
- digital learning resources
- scaffolded learning prompts
- participant reflections and responses to their learning experiences.
What will I learn?
The course provides a flexible approach for you to investigate and strengthen the appropriate skills and knowledge you need to allow you to successfully return to teaching.
You will have opportunities to :
- engage with contemporary curriculum and pedagogy in education, together with the implications for school and classroom practices
- observe, discuss and seek explanations of practice from teachers in the field
- inquire into and observe current teaching and learning practices through practical site-based learning and teaching in Victorian government schools
- engage with a learning partner/mentor in order to extend understanding of the school environment and link theory to the practice in schools
- choose and investigate a professional inquiry focus as part of your personal learning pathway back into teaching
- undertake additional self-paced, online learning to extend and deepen your personal professional inquiry
- discuss, self-evaluate and reflect in order to strengthen and deepen your understanding of effective teaching practice.
Course locations and dates
Courses take place both during term and during school holiday periods.
Program 2 and Program 5 commence in the school holidays.
Full course dates and locations are available by selecting the program name in the table below:
|
Program |
Start Date |
Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Mar 21 |
Melbourne CBD |
|
|
Apr 12 |
Flemington |
|
|
June 12 |
Geelong |
|
|
June 28 |
Dandenong |
|
|
July 12 |
North Ballarat |
|
|
July 26 |
Preston |
|
|
Aug 30 |
Traralgon |
|
|
Sept 6 |
Flemington |
|
|
Oct 25 |
Sunshine North |
|
|
Oct 25 |
Bendigo |
Please Note: The locations for the remaining Site Based school visits are expected to be available by the second week of February 2012.
What assistance is provided?
There is no cost for you to participate.
Please Note:
- accommodation and travel are not included
- that in situations where you are returning from leave funding is not provided for release from your school. Schools may choose to support participants to attend a refresher course.
How do I apply?
Complete the 2012 Teacher Refresher Courses application form (Word - 181Kb) and email it to Celine Chu at: celine.chu@vu.edu.au
Please note: The completion of this refresher course does not guarantee you employment in a government school. The usual school selection processes apply.