Roles and Responsibilities Principal and Teacher Class

Last updated 14 September 2009

ROLESANDRESPONSIBILITIES

PRINCIPALANDTEACHERCLASS

CONTENTS

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OVERVIEW PRINCIPALS ASSISTANTPRINCIPALS LEADINGTEACHERS CLASSROOMTEACHERS EXPERTTEACHER ACCOMPLISHEDTEACHER GRADUATETEACHER

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Roles and Responsibilities Principals and Teachers Last updated 14 September 2009

OVERVIEW
Therolesandresponsibilitiesthatcanbeexpectedofemployeesatthevariousclassification levels, including the principal class, is set out below and incorporates Schedule 2 of the VictorianGovernmentSchoolsAgreement2008.

PRINCIPALS
The role of the principal is to lead and manage the planning, delivery, evaluation and improvement of the education of all students in a community through the strategic deployment of resources provided by the Department and the school community. A key component of this role is to increase the knowledge base of teachers within their school aboutstudentlearningandqualityteacherpractice. Atthesametime,theprincipal,asexecutiveofficeroftheschoolcouncil,mustensurethat adequate and appropriate advice is provided to the council on educational and other matters;thatthedecisionsofthecouncilareimplemented;andthatadequatesupportand resourcesareprovidedfortheconductofcouncilmeetings. Principals have a clear set of accountabilities, which distinguish their work from other membersoftheprincipalandteacherclassandtheeducationcommunityandaresetoutin detailinthecontractofemployment.Theprincipalisaccountablefortheoverallleadership, management and development of the school within statewide guidelines and Government policies.Thecoreaccountabilitiesofallprincipalsareto: Ensure the delivery of a comprehensive, high quality education program to all students. Beexecutiveofficeroftheschoolcouncil. Implementdecisionsoftheschoolcouncil. Establish and manage financial systems in accordance with the Department and schoolcouncilrequirements. RepresenttheDepartmentintheschoolandthelocalcommunity. Contribute to systemwide activities, including policy and strategic planning and development. Effectivelymanageandintegratetheresourcesavailabletotheschool. Appropriately involve staff, students and the community in the development, implementationandreviewofschoolpolicies,programsandoperations. Report to the Department, school community, parents and students on the achievementsoftheschoolandofindividualstudentsasappropriate. Comply with regulatory and legislative requirements and Department policies and procedures.

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ASSISTANTPRINCIPALS
Assistantprincipalshaveaprimaryresponsibilityforthemanagementofsignificantareasor functionswithintheschooltoensuretheeffectivedevelopment,provisionandevaluationof the school's education program. In exercising the responsibility, assistant principals will havetheauthoritytomakeallsignificantdecisionsrelatingtotheprogram,budgetandstaff relating to their area of designated responsibility within the framework of the school's strategicplan,policiesandbudget. Assistant principals will contribute to the overall management of the school through involvementinpolicyformulationanddecisionmaking. The management of significant school program or functional areas in schools involve assistant principals in the analysis of the needs of students and the translation of state educationalpolicyandframeworksintoappropriateeducationprogramstomeettheneeds ofallstudents. Theassistantprincipalreportsdirectlytotheprincipal.Typicallyassistantprincipalswillbe responsiblefortheeffectiveuseoftheteachingstaffandprogrambudgetofadefinedarea oftheschool'soperationandfortheoversightandleadershipoftheeducationalprograms providedutilisingtheseresources. Positionresponsibilities Typically,assistantprincipalsperformoneormoreofthefollowingfunctions: supervisionandcoordinationoftheworkofseniorcurriculumorlevelcoordinators; allocationofbudgets,positionsofresponsibilityandotherresourceswithinthearea ofresponsibility; supervisionofthedeliveryofteachingprograms; management of programs to improve the knowledge and experience of teaching staff; responsibility for general discipline matters beyond the management of classroom teachersandyearlevelcoordinators; contributetotheoverallmanagementoftheschool; theselection/assigningofstafftopositionsofresponsibility; determiningthefinalformofanycurriculumproposalswhichgotoschoolcouncil; theappraisaloftheworkofsubjectcoordinators; responsibility for decisions relating to employment of shortterm replacement teachers; developmentandmanagementoftheschoolcodeofconduct; selectionofyearlevelcoordinators; appraisaloftheworkofyearlevelcoordinators.
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LEADINGTEACHERS
Leading teachers will be outstanding classroom teachers and undertake leadership and managementrolescommensuratewiththeirsalaryrange. Theobjectiveofleadingteachersistoimprovetheskill,knowledgeandperformanceofthe teachingworkforceinaschoolorgroupofschoolsandtoimprovethecurriculumprogram ofaschool. Leading teachers are responsible for demonstrating and modelling an outstanding level of teaching. Leadingteacherswillbeexpectedtomakeasignificantcontributiontopolicydevelopment relating to teaching and learning in the school. They also manage major curriculum or studentactivitiesacrosstheschoolwithahighdegreeofindependence. Aleadingteacherhasadirectimpactandinfluenceontheachievementoftheschoolgoals. Theseteachersprovideprofessionalsupporttoteachingstaff. Leading teachers are usually responsible for the implementation of one or more priorities contained in the school strategic plan. Typically, leading teachers are responsible for coordinating a large number of staff to achieve improvements in teaching and learning. Their focus is on the introduction of changes in methods and approaches to teaching and learning. However, they will also be responsible for the management and leadership of a significantareaorfunctionwithintheschooltoensuretheeffectivedevelopment,provision andevaluationoftheschoolseducationprogram. Positionresponsibilities Inrecognitionoftheimportanceofleadershipandmanagementcombinedwithexemplary teaching practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the leading teachersmayincludebutarenotlimitedto: leadingandmanagingtheimplementationofwholeschoolimprovementinitiatives relatedtotheschoolstrategicplanandschoolpriorities leadingandmanagingtheimplementationofwholeschoolimprovementstrategies relatedtocurriculumplanninganddelivery leadingandmanagingtheprovisionofprofessionaldevelopmentanddeveloping individualandteamdevelopmentplansforteachingstaffwithintheprioritiesofthe school leadingandmanagingstaffperformanceanddevelopment(reviewofstaff) teachingdemonstrationlessons leadingandmanagingthedevelopmentoftheschool'sassessmentandreporting policiesandpractices leadingandmanagingtheimplementationoftheschooloperationsandpolicies relatedtostudentwelfareanddiscipline leadingthedevelopmentofcurriculuminamajorlearningareaandparticipatingin curriculumdevelopmentinotherareas
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responsibilityforgeneraldisciplinemattersbeyondthemanagementofclassroom teachers contributingtotheoverallleadershipandmanagementoftheschool contributingtothefinalformofanycurriculumproposalsforschoolcouncil consideration developingandmanagingtheschoolcodeofconduct.

CLASSROOMTEACHERS
The classroom teacher classification comprises three categories graduate, accomplished andexpert.Theprimaryfocusoftheclassroomteacherisontheplanning,preparationand teachingofprogramstoachievespecificstudentoutcomes.Theclassroomteacherengages incriticalreflectioninordertoimproveknowledgeandskillstobetterengagestudentsand improvetheirlearning. As the classroom teacher gains experience his or her contribution to the school program beyondtheclassroomincreases. Theresponsibilitiesexpectedofteachersatallclassificationlevelsareto: - Engageinongoingprofessionallearningtoimprovetheirpractice - Drawonresourcesandframeworksprovidedbythesystemtoinformtheir workandclassroompractice - Workcollaborativelywithprofessionalcolleaguestoimproveteachingand learningwithintheschool - Usemultiplesourcesoffeedbackontheirclassroompracticetoinformtheir professionallearninggoals. All classroom teachers may be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties provided the responsibility is appropriate to the salary range, qualifications,trainingandexperienceoftheteacher. EXPERTTEACHER Expertteachersplayasignificantroleinassistingtheschooltoimprovestudentperformance andeducationaloutcomesdeterminedbytheschoolstrategicplanandstatewidepriorities andcontributingtothedevelopmentandimplementationofschoolpoliciesandpriorities.A criticalcomponentofthisworkwillfocusonincreasingtheknowledgebaseofstaffwithin their school about student learning and high quality instruction to assist their school to definequalityteacherpractice. Expertteacherswillbeexpectedto: havethecontentknowledgeandpedagogicalpracticetomeetthediverseneeds ofallstudents model exemplary classroom practice and mentoring/coaching other teachers in theschooltoengageincriticalreflectionoftheirpracticeandtosupportstaffto expandtheircapacity
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provideexpertadviceaboutthecontent,processesandstrategiesthatwillshape individualandschoolprofessionallearning superviseandtrainoneormorestudentteachers assiststafftousestudentdatatoinformteachingapproachesthatenabletargets relatedtoimprovingstudentlearningoutcomestobeachieved. Anexpertteachercanberequiredtoundertakethefollowingresponsibilitiesprovidedthe responsibilitiesareappropriatetothiscategoryofclassroomteacher. Coreresponsibilitiesinclude: analysing pedagogical practices and developing processes to assist teachers to criticallyreflectontheirteachingandlearningpractices participating in planning, implementation and review of integrated curriculum programs planningandimplementingarangeofteachingprogramsorcoursesofstudy demonstrating a significant role in supporting the achievement of improved educationoutcomesdeterminedbygovernmentpolicyandtheschoolstrategicplan inthecontextofstatewidepriorities modelling excellent teaching practice and mentoring other teachers in the school, andprovidingadviceanddirectiononteachingandlearningstrategies monitoring,evaluatingandreportingstudentprogressinkeylearningareas planningandimplementingstrategiestoachievetargetsrelatedtostudentlearning outcomes maintainingrecordsofclassattendanceandrecordsofstudentprogress maintaining a high standard of student management consistent with the school strategicplan committingtoongoingprofessionallearningthatisreflectedinteachingpractice Additionalresponsibilitiesmayincludebutarenotlimitedto: managing and supervising a team of teachers in the planning, implementation and review of teaching and learning programs according to the school strategic plans goalsandpriorities leadingthedevelopmentofcurriculumpoliciesandprograms managingthesupervisionofstudentteachers coordinatingthedevelopmentandimplementationofcurriculuminsmallschools managingayearlevelorlearningarea managingaspecialistfunction,suchassport,careers,studentwelfare,excursionsor camps developingandmanagingtheschooltransitionprogramasitrelatestoPreSchoolto YearPrepand/orYear6toYear7transitionandfacilitatingtheassociatedorientation programs.

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 assistingtheprincipal,assistantprincipalandleadingteacherswiththeperformance ofspecificfunctionsappropriatetotheclassificationandrole. ACCOMPLISHEDTEACHER Theprimaryfocusoftheaccomplishedteacherisontheplanning,preparationandteaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. These teachers teach a range of students/classes and are accountable for the effective delivery of their programs. Accomplishedteachersareskilledteacherswhooperateundergeneraldirectionwithinclear guidelines following established work practices and documented priorities and may have responsibilityforthesupervisionandtrainingofoneormorestudentteachers. At this level, accomplished teachers participate in the development of school policies and programsandassistintheimplementationofschoolpriorities. Anaccomplishedteachermayberequiredtoundertakeadditionalresponsibilitiesprovided theresponsibilityisappropriatetothiscategoryofclassroomteacher. Coreresponsibilitiesinclude: participating in planning, implementation and review of integrated curriculum programs planningandimplementingarangeofteachingprogramsorcoursesofstudy monitoring,evaluatingandreportingstudentprogressinkeylearningareas planningandimplementingstrategiestoachievetargetsrelatedtostudentlearning outcomes maintainingrecordsofclassattendanceandrecordsofstudentprogress maintaining a high standard of student management consistent with the schools strategicplan committingtoongoingprofessionallearningthatisreflectedinteachingpractice. Additionalresponsibilitiesmayincludebutarenotlimitedto: managingayearlevelorlearningareainsmallschools supervisingstudentteachers assistingwithanaspectofdailyschoolmanagementasrequired assistingyearlevelcoordinators,curriculumcoordinators,studentmanagementco ordinators,principalandassistantprincipalwiththeperformanceofspecificfunctions assistingwithaspecialistfunctionsuchassport,careers,studentwelfare,excursions orcampscoordination supervisingarangeofstudentactivitiesincludingsupportandwelfareprograms developingaschooltransitionprogramasitrelatestoPreSchooltoYearPrepand/or Year6toYear7transitionandfacilitatingtheassociatedorientationprograms. managingtheorganisationandcoordinationofcampsandexcursions

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GRADUATETEACHER Theprimaryfocusofthegraduateteacherisonfurtherdevelopingskillsandcompetencies to become an effective classroom practitioner with structured support and guidance from teachersathigherlevels. Thefocusofagraduateteacherisonclassroommanagement,subjectcontentandteaching practice.Graduateteachersarenewentrantstotheteachingprofessionwhointheirinitial teachingyearsreceivestructuredsupportandguidancefromteachersathigherlevels. Underguidance,graduateteacherswillplanandteachstudentgroupsinoneormore subjects.Graduateteachersareexpectedtoparticipateininductionprogramsandother professionallearningactivitiesthataredesignedtoensuretheintegrationofcurriculum, assessmentandpedagogyacrosstheschool. Teachersatthislevelareresponsibleforteachingtheirownclassesandmayalsoassistand participate in policy development, project teams and the organisation of cocurricula activities. A graduate teacher may be required to undertake additional responsibilities provided the responsibilityisappropriatetothiscategoryofclassroomteacher. Coreresponsibilitiesinclude: planningandimplementingarangeofteachingprogramsorcoursesofstudy teachinganareaofthecurriculumorageneralcurriculumtoayearlevel monitoring,evaluatingandreportingstudentprogressinkeylearningareas implementingstrategiestoachievetargetsrelatedtostudentlearningoutcomes maintainingrecordsofclassattendanceandrecordingstudentprogress implementing effective student management consistent with the schools strategic plan working with a mentor to participate in professional development planning, implementationandreflectionanddevelopingaprofessionalportfolio. Additionalresponsibilitiesmayincludebutarenotlimitedto: supervisingarangeofstudentactivitiesincludingsupportandwelfareprograms contributingtoarangeofcocurricularprograms.

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