Guiding Transition offers a range of professional learning and development services tailored to meet the needs of school leaders, individual teachers and groups.
We offer consultancy in areas of need and provide workshops, or whole day professional development courses in schools and through professional organisations in the following areas:
For leaders
EFFECTIVE TEAMS – Implementing an effective team model of operation
A team is more than a group. Compared with a group, a team accomplishes more than the sum total of all the individuals (synergy). As part of this course you will investigate the characteristics of effective teams (based on current research) and learn to implement an effective team model of operation in a primary school setting. You will also investigate the potential benefits of team-based appraisal practices and learn how to link individual appraisal practices to the team and school goals.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT – What to consider when implementing new initiatives in primary schools
The history of educational reform and innovation is replete with good ideas or policies that fail to get implemented, or are successful in one situation but not in another. A missing ingredient in most failed cases is appreciation and use of change knowledge. The most general lesson to be learned from the more successful cases is that the change process goes through a series of phases that, in total, usually require a considerable length of time. As part of this course you will investigate the key principles associated with change and learn to apply these principle in a context that is relevant to you.
NEW TO LEADERSHIP – Coaching young/new leaders and aspiring leaders in primary school settings
Leadership in schools is not just about titles, money and more work. There are hidden roles and responsibilities. Suddenly all eyes are on you and everything you do and say matters. Are you ready for this? As part of this course you will get an overview of some of the human resource management skills you will need as a leader including: people and language skills, motivation, managing change, becoming a coach, dealing with difficult scenarios, maintaining a team and performance management. There will also be an important focus on mindfulness – how to monitor your own state in a demanding role.
MOTIVATE ME – Capacity building, motivation and performance management in primary schools
Are you getting the best out of those who work with you? Are they getting the best out of you? It’s easy to energize the team members who want to be motivated, but how do you approach those who never seem to do what you want? As part of this workshop, you will explore research that tells us what really drives people in the workplace and reasons why people either love or hate their jobs. You will investigate a range of strategies to empower those around you and catapult your team into a leading position in terms of motivation.
NOT ANOTHER MEETING – A practical guide to running an effective meeting in a primary school setting
A teacher’s time outside of the classroom is precious. Time and energy spent in meetings that waste these vital resources in schools is not only frustrating for all involved, it can have a negative effect on morale and can even turn staff members against leaders of the school. This in turn will have an impact on the students in your care. As part of this workshop, you will investigate the basic principles of effective meetings including setting an agenda, making every minute count, how to own your own meeting, getting input from everyone, keeping track of progress, communicating with other departments in the school, making it fun and most importantly – how to finish on time!
COACHING & QUESTIONS – What do you want to know?
If you have questions, or if you are finding certain elements of leadership challenging, it is a good idea to communicate your needs. Our experienced, professional constants are available to work with leaders in areas of need.
For teachers
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT – Skills and strategies to manage your classroom
One of the most important aspect of teaching is learning to manage a large group of students. Through our workshops and courses, we provide you with a variety of tips and tools to mange your classroom effectively. Workshops and courses are designed to suit groups of teachers from Prep to Year 2, or groups of teachers from Years 3 to 6 in primary school settings.
CURRICULUM PLANNING & DOCUMENTATION – Effective planning structures, templates and time management
As a classroom teacher you are given the daunting task of planning, documenting and implementing a crowded curriculum. Add in student differentiation and individual learning improvement plans and the task can seem overwhelming. We can show you how this task can be simplified through the use of effective planning structures, curriculum documents and planning templates.
COMMUNICATION & PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS – What do parents really want to know about their child?
This session provides practical information on how to create positive relationships with parents through professional dialogue, where the best interests of children are at the core of the conversation. It addresses the importance of active listening, being well prepared for interviews and strategies to tackle even the most challenging conversations.
COACHING & QUESTIONS – What do you want to know?
If you have questions, or if you are finding certain elements of the profession challenging, it is a good idea to communicate your needs. Our experienced, professional consultants are available to work with teachers in areas of need.