Many teachers like yours truely as post 2004 teachers have to undergo a maintainence of accreditation every five years (full time employment) or seven years (casual/temporary) which involves undertaking 100 hours of professional development.
Yesterday afternoon, I went to Ermington Public School, where the NSW Department of Education offered a workshop to provide an overview of the process involved.
I gained insight into the process involved. It dismissed the motion that I had that it was merely keeping a record of courses, but also about reflecting on how I apply the professional development in my teaching.
I have done some professional development, but admitted that I have made some errors in not having some of the courses signed off by the school that I completed the training at (where relevant). I will need to check through the diary and make sure it is validated ASAP with the relevant principal/s including documentation.
Also a handy check of the diary to fill any missing entries is needed as well, not to mention to do the entry at the point in time that it is done.
I think this blog will be handy in itself, because I am reflecting on my learning, what I did and how I might apply it in practice.
I would go as far as recommending that people keep a journal of their professional development in addition to the diary that they might keep through MyPL for instance or BOSTES. I will need to follow up with the presenters if certificates can be valid evidence as well for validation. I am sure it would because I remember speaking to colleague as I was working towards accreditation at proficient and that as part of my learning log, could provide some course certificates to support the diary.
