Referee Statement

Applicants for employment as a teacher in a Queensland state school are required to include two (2) Referee Statements in their Professional Folio. This statement must be completed by professional referees who are able to comment on the applicants demonstration of the Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers. Information about how to complete the statement is included in the Information for Supervising and Mentor Teachers document.

Applicants Name University Name (Graduates only)

Renee Rutherford

Please provide honest and explicit comments about how the applicant has demonstrated the Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers. Professional Standards Clusters Teaching and Learning Design and implement: o engaging and flexible learning experiences o learning experiences that develop language, literacy and numeracy o intellectually challenging learning experiences o experiences that value diversity Assess and report constructively on student learning Comments
Renee employs very flexible learning strategies in the teaching of her students. She caters learning activities to the age group and literacy levels of her students. A varied pedagogical approach is used with the underpinning Framework being Dimensions of Learning which she employs strongly. Renee is a highly effective teacher of literacy, being employed in teaching both English and Social Sciences. She accesses student data from NAPLAN and One School to target literacy requirements of individual students. Challenging learning experiences are highlighted in Renees teaching practice. Students are made clearly aware of the learning goals for each lesson and of the overall unit, giving them direction for their efforts. This is strongly supported by well-considered resources. IT resources are carefully integrated to support the intellectual rigor of tasks. The learning experiences Renee devises for her students take into consideration their diverse learning styles; employing verbal, visual, auditory and kinesthetic elements as appropriate to the needs of her students. Renee is diligent with the assessment and reporting process, engaging in professional conversations with other staff regarding standards to ensure comparability. She uses both formative and summative assessment to gauge student progress and to support improvement of outcomes.

Building Relationships Support personal development and participation in society Create and maintain safe and supportive learning environments Foster positive and productive relationships with families and the community Contribute effectively to professional teams Reflective Practice Commit to reflective practice and professional renewal

Renee has a classroom manner which supports student learning and feeling of belonging and safety. Her behaviour management strategies are consistent with the schools BM policy which further ensures student welfare. Renees strategies are firm, fair, consistent and effective. She adheres to the school's critical routines to ensure this consistent approach. Renee has shown great empathy for students in her care, responding professionally and supportively to a number of cases which have required inter-agency referral. She has sought the correct channels for actioning support in these quite difficult cases, allowing a successful outcome in the situations to be realised. Renee participates in parent-teacher reporting evenings in a positive and productive manner. She is very diligent with calls home to parents for both behaviour management and positive result discussions with parents. At lunch breaks, Renee has been involved in the extra-curricular activity of the Polynesian dance group which has facilitated very good relations with these families in the community. Renee is involved with numerous English curriculum teams for the planning, preparation, resourcing and delivery of new Units of study, based on the National Curriculum. Her input here has been very valuable. She has spoken at a full English faculty meeting promoting successful activities for end of year literacy work for students.

Renee mindfully considers alternatives to her teaching practice and seeks to find solutions in cases where student engagement is not assured, accessing the necessary agencies or individuals for assistance. She involves herself in professional reading and attending Professional Development to continue to update her practices and knowledge base in the subjects he is employed to teach. Renee is open to receiving feedback and advice from Senior teachers and actively seeks advice from the Head of Department on a range of curriculum and student welfare issues.

Referee Details - Referees may be contacted by the interview panel. Name Position School / Organisation Relationship to Applicant Telephone Email Signature

Lorelle Scott

Head of Department, English

Bremer State High School

Line manager for English, Immediate Supervisor
Work

38109206

Other

lscot34@eq.edu.au
Date

03/12/2013