Your Professional Development Pathways
As a public school teacher, you choose the direction you want your career to take. As a public education system, we are committed to lifelong learning and to supporting you in your professional development development at every stage of your career as a graduate teacher to teacher leader, school executive or school leader.
The Professional Learning and Leadership Development Directorate supports the professional learning of teachers through these stages by providing a framework for professional learning programs and strategies to guide the development of school staff and those who support their work.
Professional development opportunities
Teachers in public schools are committed to working and learning together to achieve the best possible learning outcomes for our students. Our teachers learn from each other as well as from colleagues in professional teacher associations, TAFE and universities.
In each of our schools there is a professional learning team that designs the school's professional learning program in consultation with staff and the community.
The NSW Government provides funds directly to public schools to support the professional learning of teachers. This is to ensure that our teachers have a significant say in how, when and where their professional learning takes place. It ensures that our teachers remain at the forefront of the teaching profession internationally.
To help you reach your career goals,
we provide a wide range of professional learning opportunities.
They include:
- professional development courses and programs
- online learning through our extensive range of websites in which teachers support each other
- online study at a Masters-level offered in association with universities in areas of particular importance to our work
- local networks in areas of special interest
- attendance at state, national or international conferences
- study tours, and
- exchange programs in another country or interstate.
Our school-based induction programs, as well as our mentoring program, all focus on helping you to start your career confidently.
Professional development for new scheme teachers
New scheme teachers are provided with advice and support to achieve accreditation at Professional Competence with the NSW Institute of Teachers.
Teachers who have been accredited at Professional Competence with the NSW Institute of Teachers need to maintain their accreditation. Maintenance of accreditation requires participation in professional development over a five year period. Institute Registered Professional Development courses and programs are developed and delivered by the NSW Department of Education and Training as an endorsed provider. These courses and programs fulfil requirements for registration with the NSW Institute of Teachers.
Extensive range of programs
Each of our ten regions offers an extensive range of courses, programs and consultancy services for your professional learning that have been developed in response to local requests.
Our state office directorates design programs to support curriculum change, school improvement, leadership learning and career development for use across New South Wales. Many of these are recognised as world-leading good practice in the professional development of teachers.
Our teachers are well-qualified. Wherever possible our professional learning programs link with accredited programs of tertiary study so that the action learning in which you engage at school to improve student learning counts towards higher degrees.
Together, these opportunities will help you develop and maintain high standards of professional practice in your chosen career as a teacher.
