A key requirement for teachers to maintain their accreditation throughout their careers involves professional development. Professional Development has a significant impact on improving the effectiveness of teachers, for better student outcomes.

Good teaching is not an accident. All effective teaching is the result of study, reflection, practice, and hard work. A teacher can never know enough about how a student learns, what impedes the student’s learning, and how the teacher’s instruction can increase the student’s learning. Professional development is the only means for teachers to gain such knowledge. Whether students are high, low, or average achievers, they will learn more if their teachers regularly engage in high-quality professional development.

Students' learning is constantly in flux and as things change - circumstances, technologies and societies - so do students' educational needs. Along with change, new developments in curriculum and pedagogy arise, and gaps open up in teachers' capabilities to meet new needs. This has been highlighted more so this year with the challenges COVID-19 brought to educators. On Friday, all teachers at MMCC will have the opportunity to learn more about Digital Technologies. This Professional development will provide an opportunity for teachers to continue to improve their knowledge and skills so they can help students achieve ~ When educators learn, students learn more.

This professional development opportunity links to the MMCC Annual Action Plan ~ “Realising the potential of all staff to ensure we deliver quality teaching, high attainment and positive growth in every classroom”. We have set ourselves the target of reaching 100% engagement in the quality use of technology to improve student learning and teacher well being. Upskilling in the use of technology also links to the TCSO strategic intent to “develop school capacity to enhance and monitor teachers’ digital pedagogy skills through the implementation of a digital champions network”.

On Friday, the teachers will have the opportunity to showcase their expertise in an area of digital technology; gain greater clarity, knowledge, and skill in many of areas of digital technology.

I am excited about this opportunity for the teachers. Within our College we have a great deal of expertise in digital technology. Catering for the 21st Century Learner and a world that does not yet exist is challenging at best, however, I am confident that teachers at MMCC are keeping abreast of new technology and providing students with the best possible opportunities.

I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday!

Mrs Natalie Adler

Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning: Junior