Roles and responsibilities
Professional Experience at Deakin University in the School of Education is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders. Each plays a critical role in ensuring pre-service teachers (PSTs) and teachers undertaking graduate courses, receive high-quality learning experiences during placements. The responsibilities of each stakeholder are outlined below.
The Academic Director of Professional Experience, is an academic leader responsible for overseeing and shaping the strategic direction of Professional Experience across all courses in the School of Education.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the development and coordination of Deakin’s Professional Experience framework.
- Strengthen partnerships with schools and other educational sites to ensure quality placements.
- Provide strategic oversight of policies, guidelines, and best practices for Professional Experience.
- Advise the Dean’s Leadership Group on matters relating to Professional Experience management and structure.
- Support collaboration among School staff involved in Professional Experience.
- Ensure appropriate supervision and support structures are in place for PSTs across placements.
- Make final determinations on Professional Experience-related issues.
The Professional Experience Manager oversees the operational aspects of Professional Experience, ensuring placements are effectively facilitated across all courses.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide administrative leadership for the Professional Experience Office in collaboration with the Academic Director of Professional Experience.
- Oversee the placement process and ensure adherence to Professional Experience guidelines.
- Work closely with the Professional Experience Office to manage placement logistics.
- Maintain up-to-date records, including compliance and procedural documentation.
The Allocations Team within the Professional Experience Office is responsible for securing and organising placements for PSTs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Establish and maintain relationships with schools and educational sites to arrange placements.
- Coordinate and match student placement requests with available opportunities in schools and other educational settings.
- Ensure PSTs are placed in appropriate learning environments that meet course and accreditation requirements.
- Manage the logistics of placement allocations, including location, supervising teacher assignments, placement accommodations, grants and schedule coordination.
- Communicate relevant placement details and expectations to schools, supervising teachers, and students.
- Maintain accurate records of PST compliance, including Working with Children Checks and other required documentation.
The Support Team within the Professional Experience Office provides ongoing administrative and operational support to ensure the smooth execution of placements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as a point of contact for PSTs and schools regarding placement-related concerns.
- Act as a liaison between schools and Deakin staff to address placement concerns or issues.
- Support the development and distribution of placement policies, guidelines, and resources.
- Offer administrative support for students requiring placement adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., medical leave, special accommodations).
- Process supervising teacher payments in accordance with university policies.
The Placement Coordinator is a school/centre-based staff member responsible for overseeing and managing PST placements within their setting.
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify and allocate suitable supervising teachers for PST and graduate student placements.
- Ensure PSTs and graduate students are appropriately inducted into the school’s/centre’s policies, procedures, and professional expectations.
- Act as a liaison between the school, PSTs, and Deakin’s Professional Experience Office.
- Maintain oversight of the placement experience, addressing any issues that arise.
- Ensure completion and submission of placement documentation, including assessment reports and payment forms.
Supervising Teachers are registered educators responsible for mentoring and supporting PSTs in their learning and development during placement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Demonstrate and model best-practice teaching, planning, and assessment strategies.
- Maintain a professional and supportive learning relationship with PSTs and graduate students.
- Provide guidance on school policies, protocols, and professional conduct expectations.
- Review and discuss PST and graduate students’ lesson plans before teaching.
- Observe, assess, and provide constructive feedback on PST and graduate students teaching performance.
- Monitor and document PST and graduate students’ attendance and engagement throughout the placement.
- Raise concerns regarding PST progress with the school’s Placement Coordinator and submit a PULSE Survey where necessary.
- Complete interim and final assessment reports in accordance with Professional Experience guidelines.
- Collaborate with school leadership to address placement concerns, including situations requiring early termination of a placement.
Pre-service teachers (PSTs) are emerging professionals engaging in supervised teaching placements as part of their formal teacher education. During their Professional Experience, PSTs are expected to demonstrate professional conduct, actively participate in school activities, and apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings.
Key Responsibilities:
Professional Conduct & Engagement:
- Adhere to all school policies, procedures, and professional standards, including Deakin University’s Professional Experience expectations.
- Demonstrate professionalism, respect, and ethical responsibility in all interactions with students, staff, and the school community.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding school, student, and staff information.
Active Participation in Learning & Teaching:
- Engage proactively in all aspects of the school, including classroom teaching, staff meetings, and professional learning sessions.
- Observe, plan, and deliver lessons under the guidance of the Supervising Teacher, incorporating feedback to refine teaching practice.
- Develop and implement effective classroom management strategies in line with school expectations.
- Use a variety of teaching approaches to meet the diverse learning needs of students.
Lesson Planning & Assessment:
- Plan and prepare lessons aligned with curriculum requirements and school expectations.
- Adapt lesson plans based on student needs, mentor feedback, and reflective practice.
- Assess student learning, where appropriate, and engage in reflective discussions with the Supervising Teacher about assessment and reporting practices.
Collaboration & Communication:
- Establish and maintain professional relationships with the Supervising Teacher, school staff, and students.
- Seek and apply constructive feedback from mentors, peers, and school staff to improve teaching practice.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with students, parents, and colleagues where appropriate.
Self-Reflection & Professional Growth:
- Maintain a Professional Experience Portfolio, documenting lesson plans, reflections, feedback, and key learnings.
- Actively reflect on teaching experiences, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
- Participate in professional conversations and learning opportunities to enhance pedagogical skills and knowledge.
Compliance & Placement Requirements:
- Keep all information up to date on InPlace and advise the PEO of any changes, such as PTT and address as soon as these changes occur.
- Fulfil all placement attendance requirements and notify both the school and Deakin’s Professional Experience Office of any unavoidable absences.
- Complete all placement documentation, including lesson plans, reflections, and assessment reports, as required by Deakin University.
- Ensure all required pre-placement compliance documents (e.g., Working with Children Check, vaccination records) are submitted before placement begins.