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Qualifications
"Letter to the Victorian Institute of Teaching"
I read with interest a recent mailing from the institute, in which it is proposed that in future teacher registration will entail, in essence, prospective teachers needing to prove their competence in the classroom. This I really feel is a step in the right direction, and I applaud it. I have often felt that simply attending a university teaching course was not enough, and that school based practice, and mentoring should play a central role.
I was wondering however, how far this would go. Nearly all who have worked in school have had teaching assistants (teaching aides) who show great potential as teachers: mothers, fathers, older siblings, graduates of the school… many of whom have not attended university, or university teaching courses. Would the chance at registration be open to these people, if they could demonstrate competence and effective practices in schools to gain registration? A shift from registration designating participation at a particular training course, to the demonsratable ability to teach?
I look forward to your reply, and the continued improvement of the quality of teaching in Victoria that the move to effective practices in teaching as a prerequisite in registration will bring.
Yours truly,
Last Updated: Sunday, June 06, 2004 4:54:23 PM