Becoming a teacher. IN QLD?

Question

I'm currently at uni doing secondary education. I'm extremely confused as to what happens after i graduate from uni. I've heard a few things like i need to prepare a portfolio for my interview where i need to know all the professional standards. I also heard that it has changed and now i only need to prepare 2 professional standards and my results from prac will be added together with my GPA. No one can give me a straight answer and i cant find any information to guide me in the right direction. If anyway one could explain the process to me that would be great.

thanks

Answer 1

I think that it depends on where you are trying to interview after you graduate.  NONE  of my principals wanted to see a portfolio.  My advice would be to talk to a counselor at your college- they can tell you what you should do to prepare- also talk to a professor that you think would give you good advice.

In my professional oppinion I don't think that any principal would expect any first year teacher to know all of the standards--  it's just not feesable.  maybe it's different where you live- but in my school district (in arizona) they really take care of their first year teachers, (they are hard to keep) I would not be too stressed- you'll get a job and do wonderful...    But keep asking around at your college for some straight answers.

Answer 2

As a supervising teacher and employee of Ed QLD I beleive that there are two steps to becoming a teacher:

1) Your Application and Interview with Education Queensland to get a suitability rating.  

A) The Application

You are to create your portfolio and fill out the application forms.  In this you include your GPA (transcripts), Personal Statement, etc.

Re: Your Statement (500 words only)

This statement of no more than 500 words is an applicant’s opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of departmental reforms, initiatives and policies in relation to learning and teaching.

The professional statement should also include the applicant’s personal view on the role of a teacher in state schools in Queensland. This is an opportunity for the applicant to highlight and link knowledge of reforms and initiatives and their relationship to learning and teaching; competence across the QCT standards; involvement in professional development activities; and aspirations for their teaching practice.

This statement should be commensurate with the applicant’s teaching experience. For a graduate, it should reflect experience as a teacher about to begin a teaching career. For experienced applicants it should reflect a higher level of experience.

B) The interview

This usually done by the school that you are doing your final prac in (unless you are doing a prac in a private school then the district office or closest local high school will do the interview).  The interview will last up to 30 mins and you will be asked a set of questions from a set of questions approved by Education Queensland.  This is were you can show your understanding of the professional standards and policies.  

In this interview you are usually asked to show a portfolio of work so that the school can see your work - if you have been doing prac at the school it should not take long as the supervisor will have seen your work before.  The interview panel (usually your supervising teachers and a member of Admin, a DP) will then review your prac reports, referees and your results from uni to come to a suitability rating.

This rating is used by schools when selecting graduates for employment.  The better the rating, i.e. an S1 (meaning that you are an excellent graduate), the more chance you have of getting a job.

Also remember that when selecting graduates, if you tick the box saying you will go anywhere, the regional schools get first pick of graduates then metro schools can select.  If you do not wnat regional service, start talking to the district office in the region you would like so they know you and look out for opportunities.  Another good way is to accept a contract at the school you are interested in .

2) Become registered with the Queensland College of Teachers.  You will apply for provisional membership and after teaching for a set number of hours (1000 hours) you will have a report sent from your HOD or school Admin to recommend full membership or to extend your probation.  

If you have any questions talk to the District Office that is attached to your prac school, the DP in your school or the Uni supervisors.

I have placed links to web sites at the bottom of this answer.

So glad to hear that you want to enter the QLD Education system.  I am a teacher in Varsity Lakes and I love it.