‘Professional learning is strongly shaped by the context in which the teacher practices’ (Timperley, 2008, p. 6). Therefore, I understand that educators must continuously update their knowledge through ongoing professional learning. I have engaged in continuous professional growth through ongoing communication with the supervising teacher and induction before commencing the service to improve my skills which is reciprocated with maximised impact on learner outcomes (Naylor & Sayed, 2014, as cited by AITSL, 2017.). I seek to participate in professional learning opportunities wherever possible, recently engaged in First Aid and CPR training and will be participating the Phoenix Cups Training in my workplace. With these experiences, I demonstrated an awareness on how I can identify my professional learning needs, select and undertake professional learning, apply the learning and evaluate the impact (AITSL, 2017).
Ongoing learners and reflective practice is one of the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) (DEEWR, 2009). ‘Reflective practice… involves engaging with questions of philosophy, ethics and practice’ (DEEWR, 2009, p.13). I have received and adapt to constructive feedback from the supervising teachers, tertiary supervisors, as well as staff within the work placements in a positive and professional manner and I strongly believe that professional inquiry towards the work could further improve my teaching practices. Through my various placements at multiple care settings. I have had the opportunity to learn for several educators in diverse settings and had shared discussion from experienced teachers is something that I am very grateful for, as am I able to constantly update, extend and improve upon my teaching abilities. I intend to continue to identify challenge areas in my teaching, and improve myself by attending professional development sessions in these areas. I believe the more professional development, training and knowledge I have, the more effective my teaching will be. The more I learn, the more I will be able to teach. I think of myself as a ‘lifelong learner’ and I hope that I can instil the same love of learning into my students.