Tasmanian classroom teachers now have the opportunity to be recognised for their expertise through national Certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers.
The Certification aims to recognise and promote quality teaching and provides them with pathways to continue to excel in the classroom where they are already achieving great impact.
Education is the single most powerful driver for improving economic and social outcomes in Tasmania, and it is crucial that we have the best and brightest teachers working with our students.
In this first cohort of Assessors and Participants, there is representation from all education sectors across the State and across the breadth of educational specialisation and school levels.
Tasmanian teachers have the added benefit of completing a Graduate Certificate in Education through the University of Tasmania as part of the process, which is a national first.
This is a great indicator of the calibre of teachers we have here in Tasmania, whose collective focus is to improve the learning outcomes of students and I thank them for their dedication.
Chair of the Certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers Pilot Steering Committee, Stephen Mannering said that demand for the Pilot had been high.
“Of Tasmania’s 12,000 teachers, more than 600 attended the first information session about Certification for only 30 available places. That gave the Steering Committee a lot of confidence that what we’re implementing is of high appeal to teachers.
“On top of that, Tasmanian teachers are completing their Graduate Certificate and we’re very fortunate that the University of Tasmania waived its fees for that course.
“Certification is a nationally consistent, rigorous process, managed by the local certifying authority that can take anywhere between 12 months and three years - so it’s no small undertaking - but definitely one worth pursuing,” he said.