Classroom Teacher

Location Profile

Broadmeadows Special Developmental School is located in the vibrant community of Broadmeadows in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. The school is easily accessible by car and public transport, with buses and trains stopping at Broadmeadows Station, just a four-minute walk from the school.

The school is a modern purpose-built facility and provides an attractive and safe environment. Learning areas include well-equipped classrooms, dedicated specialist spaces and outdoor learning zones. The school has 2 sites, the main campus in Dimboola Rd and a Sorrento Street campus with students attending from a wide geographical and diverse socio-economic background. Students attend school daily from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Curriculum

Programs are delivered within Department of Education guidelines and reflect the Victorian Curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the development of programs that address individual student needs, through Individual Learning Plans.

Our pedagogical approach is informed by evidence-based teaching practice. An explicit, evidence-based synthetic phonics program that systematically teaches children to read (Little Learners Loves Literacy) has been implemented over 10 years and has resulted in improved student outcomes. Collaborative curriculum planning, aligned to the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0, the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 and the Science of Learning, is the current focus for strengthening whole school teaching and learning approaches across the school.

Broadmeadows SDS Educational goals and priorities are reviewed every six months. Class groups are comprised of 6-8 students, with a teacher and teacher assistant, to ensure a safe and effective learning environment, where individuals are respected and self-esteem and dignity are strongly advocated. The school has a trans-disciplinary approach to student learning with input from educators, therapists and parents. Teachers case conference students with their allocated Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist each week.

Our school philosophy is reflected in its programs and based on the belief that children learn best in a co-operative environment that is happy, challenging, supportive and non-threatening. Broadmeadows SDS has a School Wide Positive Learning Program and has developed a school culture that is reflected by the ideals of positive behaviour support. Assessment is based on Individual Learning Plan goals.

An emphasis is placed on students attaining skills and knowledge that they will use as young adults when graduating at 18 years of age.

Working at Broadmeadows SDS:

Class sizes range from five to eight students, with each class supported by a teacher and an Education Support Officer (ESO). Some classes are larger and have team teachers, where two teachers co-teach in the classroom. Teachers are provided with planning each week to collaborate with their section teams on developing high-quality unit planners and weekly programs.

Staff are supported by a dedicated multi-disciplinary team, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists, who work alongside educators to meet each students individual needs. Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists work within classrooms to collaborate on programs.

The school is staffed with classroom teachers, specialist teachers, literacy specialists, teacher assistants, occupational therapists, speech therapists and physiotherapists. The school accesses additional support through the Visiting Teacher Services for Hearing and Vision Impairment and a school psychologist. Current staffing includes over 180 staff including a team of 40 plus therapists.

A Commitment to Excellence

Broadmeadows Special Developmental School delivers a knowledge-rich curriculum through explicit, evidence-based instruction. We dedicate significant time to building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, particularly through the Big 6 of Reading, oral language, phonemic

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the ability to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated experience in responding to student learning needs.

SC2 Demonstrated experience in planning for and implementing high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluating the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth.

SC3 Demonstrated experience in monitoring and assessing student learning. Demonstrated experience in using data to inform teaching practice and providing feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4 Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5 Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated experience in reflecting upon practice and engaging in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.

SC6 A demonstrated commitment to special education and an understanding of intellectual disability and the implications for teaching and learning.

ROLE

The classroom teacher classification comprises two salary ranges- range 1 ($79,589-$91,056) and range 2 ($94,415 - $118,063). The primary focus of the classroom teacher is on the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. The classroom teacher engages in critical reflection and inquiry in order to improve knowledge and skills to effectively engage students and improve their learning.

As the classroom teacher gains experience his or her contribution to the school program beyond the classroom increases. 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, training and experience of the teacher.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The role of classroom teacher may include but is not limited to:

- Direct teaching of groups of students and individual students;

- Contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of a curriculum area or other curriculum program within the school;

- Undertaking other classroom teaching related and organisational duties as determined by the School Principal;

- Participating in activities such as parent/teacher meetings; staff meetings; camps and excursions;

- Undertaking other non-teaching supervisory duties.

New graduate teachers are welcome to apply.

Time Fraction and start date may be negotiated with the Principal.

Where an ongoing teaching position in a special school is advertised:

An ongoing teacher who does not hold an approved special education qualification may be offered permanent transfer to the school if the teacher has completed 3 or more years continuous employment in the teaching service in a special setting and is assessed by the principal as suitable for ongoing employment in a special setting

An external applicant, including an existing fixed term employee, who does not hold an approved special education qualification, but who holds provisional or full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching, may be offered ongoing employment if the teacher has completed 3 or more years of continuous employment as a teacher in the teaching service in a special setting and is assessed by the principal as suitable for ongoing employment in a special setting

Other than set out above, a teacher who does not have an approved special education qualification can only be offered:

• temporary transfer for a period not exceeding 3 years where the successful applicant is an ongoing employee, or

• fixed term employment for a period not exceeding 5 years where the successful applicant is not an ongoing employee