As teachers, it is important that we understand what we are teaching, and the context in which it is being taught. Without a comprehensive understanding of the key learning areas and the specific topics which encompass them, we can hardly expect students to excel. As teachers, we provide knowledge to students, and facilitate the learning process, therefore it is important that we are able to recognize the impact that we can have on individual students.How we teach is just as important as what we teach if we want to provide the maximum learning experience for students.

It is also important that we are able to link the theoretical aspects of learning with the practical applications which may be assisted by such learning wherever possible.

We need to continually develop our knowledge, skills, understanding and values which are necessary for the development and implementation of programs which adhere to specific curriculum guidelines, and be able to assess our own skills as teachers, and recognize areas where improvement is necessary, and act upon them.

While I was at Parkes Public, I was able to observe the effects of the introduction of a new language/phonic system known as Jolly phonics. This program was designed to help children grasp the relationship between sound and written language in order to facilitate a more functional (practical) model of learning to read that may be easier for younger children to learn, comprehend and remember. This program was being implemented in response to concerns that the literacy aims required in the NSW k-6 syllabus were not being consistently achieved by a majority of children before passing into higher classes.

Within my employment experience to date, this has also been an important area for me. In the past, I have been responsible for the development of training measures for new staff, and the monitoring of the effectiveness of these strategies as a means of staff orientation and learning, or whether changes have been necessary.