Newsletter March 2013 - Coolum Beach Christian College

EDUCATION never ends,
not even if you are a teacher
Coolum Beach Christian College has been awarded a $15,000 grant for two teachers to take part in an international respected
research program that educates teachers, as well the students. Mrs Tracey Shields and Mrs Katrina Vagg have spent many
days back in a classroom over the last few months, learning from world experts the intricate details of the Robert Marzano
Research Project.
In the first week of March, the two teachers were in Brisbane for three days conference on the Art and Science of Teaching.
The conference was led by Dr Phil Warrick, the vice President of the Marzano Research Laboratory.
Robert Marzano is a well-respected leader in the field of education. Mrs Shields said the aim of his research is to determine
“best teacher practice. He looks to improve student outcomes through improving teacher practice,” Mrs Shields said.
Mrs Shields has spent many years in education and working with school curriculums, but this new project is one she is most
excited about. “The grant was given through Independent Schools Queensland, we had to apply for it. You write a project for
your school and if they think it is innovative, they take you on board as a research team. ‘
“We are not the only school doing it, it is a collaborative project involving other schools in the Academy and we all share the
results. It is so exciting, I’ve been in education for a long time and this is based on the most effective practice.”
When it came to find another teacher in the school who would be best placed to coach all the staff on what was being learnt –
she found the perfect participant in Mrs Vagg. The dynamic Prep teacher isn’t just a master at getting the best communication
from the adorable Preppies, she is also fantastic at communicating what is being learnt to the other teachers. “Katrina is a
superb coach,” Mrs Shields said.
The grant has also helped fund relief teachers to allow Mrs Shields and Mrs Vagg the opportunity to attend the conferences
and spend time during the school week conveying what they have learnt to the other teachers.
It will mean Coolum Beach Christian College students are at the forefront of the best teaching research worldwide. “Most
schools involved in the research can only include a couple of their classes,” Mrs Shields said. “We are fortunate in that we are a
small school so the whole school can get involved.”
“The teachers are using the ‘evidence based strategies’ to implement in the classrooms. This improves teaching and learning,”
Mrs Shield said.
“It involves reflective teaching practice, where we teach teachers how to not just teach, but monitor if what they are teaching
is being learnt.” Mrs Shields said the goal was to ensure the school was able to improve teacher quality.
“Of all things that affect learning, teacher quality is the number one factor. It is what produces change in students. We looked
at all other Curriculums (before choosing Marzano), but we know this is the way our school is going to change.”
Mrs Vagg is equally as excited about the project and says all
the other teachers in the school are too. “There is a real
excitement in the school about it. It provides so many tools
to introduce in the classroom.”
Many of Mrs Vagg’s Prep students may not be able to
write yet, but they are already benefitting from the skills
she has learned in the writer’s workshop. “I have started
collecting stories and asking the children how they got
there, in their story. I’ll do it again in a couple of terms
and see if there are improvements. It will help them
become better writers.”
Written by Kathy Sundstrom
10
Ph: 5446 4780 * Fax: 5446 4893 * Email: admin@cbcc.qld.edu.au