Background information about TeachMeetWA:
TeachMeetWA (TMWA) is for educators keen to connect, collaborate and inspire each other through teacher driven professional learning. TeachMeets are short and sharp Pecha Kucha style free, informal and highly engaging professional learning sessions. TeachMeetWA sessions are open to ALL teachers from all sectors and are FREE. New graduates, pre-service teachers are also encouraged to attend, learn and participate. This is a chance for teachers to connect as professionals from all sectors of education in WA to network, share ideas and, learn from each other. All participants are encouraged to participate and share an idea, a tool or a website that they have used with their students. Alternatively, they can discuss a strategy or product that they believe enhances their classroom practice. TMWA aims to provide teachers with opportunities to share good practice, practical ideas and personal insights into teaching today’s learners. The idea is to hear stories about teaching and learning from our colleagues. TMWA intends to develop a community of connected educators who continue to engage in professional conversations and provide support well after the event, especially via the vehicle of social media. Over 80 TMWA events have been hosted in WA since the inaugural event in September 2013. The closed online community on Facebook is the only one of its kind with over 5500 educators connecting, collaborating and communicating in a supportive environment. We advocate the use of Twitter as a global PLN and use @WAPLN and #TMWA to bring the community together. Recently, a YouTube channel has been started up, #TMWAreach, so we can bridge the gap between our remote and regional teachers. We are gradually uploading presentations and hosting live Hangouts for teachers to join in. We have a generous community of educators who give up their time to support others.
What’s Next:
We aim to build capacity of WA educators and informally connect aspirants to inspirational leaders, mentors and coaches. We want our teachers to hear the stories of successes and failures and to have channels to discuss, ask questions and seek guidance without judgement. We also want to empower existing leaders by building a community around them and giving them a place to flourish and learn. This inaugural LEADMEET has the blessings of some amazing people in our community. Thank you to everyone who willingly offered to present their stories and share their infinite wisdom with others. The theme of the TMWA_LeadMeet will follow the Conference theme – Stop, Collaborate & Listen – Leading for the Future.
The list of presenters is as below:
Bhavneet Singh, TeachMeet Coordinator
Allan Blagaich, Chief Executive Officer, SCSA
Jeanette Gee, President, WASSEA
Joseph Banks Secondary College Team
– Eleanor Hughes, Principal
– Liz Lasscock, Associate Principal
Kate Reitzenstein, President, Modern Language Teachers Association WA
Kim Flintoff, Acting Director, Learning Futures, Curtin University
Paul Whitehead, Principal, Bold Park Community School
Gabrielle Trinca, Digital Learning Consultant, Catholic Education WA
Shenton College Team
– Janet Silburn Barker Head of Learning and Community
– Gary Green, Head of Learning and Community
– Drew Mayhills, Technology Innovation Coordinator
Catherine Baron, Deputy Principal, Lynwood Senior High School
Future:
We hosted the first Student-Led TeachMeet in 2015 and are hosting one in September 2016. In the future, we foresee WA students organising and hosting events for teachers. We will keep working on building student voice in our events and work towards a bigger brighter future for our students.
Teaching & Learning in 21 Century 