Community Engagement Reflection

Students will prepare a learning portfolio (Assignment) which includes a description

of the School/Agency, daily journals and a self-report that provides evidence in
addressing a number of the elements of the National Professional Teaching
Standards for Graduate Teachers and ACU Graduate Attributes.
A. Description of School/Agency
What School/Agency did you select for your placement? Include name of
School/Agency and a brief description of its goals and strategies. (It is advisable
to do your research on the School/Agency prior to the 2 Week Block to prepare
yourself psychologically as it is impossible to brief all the students due to the
large cohort and the number of School/Agencies involved).How do you think your
placement will increase your understanding of catering for children with Special
Needs?
Santa Maria del Monte College, Strathfield.
Santa Maria del Monte College is a catholic school in the Dominican tradition,
they strive for personal excellence, to act with justice and compassion, and
embrace the future with an optimistic global vision. Santa Maria centres on four
aspects, being prayer, learning, community and service. Their learning principle
allows students to connect with a complex and uncertain world. The learning
principles include growth mindset, personalised learning, complexity and
challenge, feedback and reflection and collaboration and inquiry.
I think that Santa Maria del Monte College will allow me to effectively teach
students who are struggling with mathematics. I think this program will allow me
to develop teaching and learning strategies to help those who misunderstand
mathematical content. It will give me the opportunity to work one on one with
students to develop my teacher communication skills.

B. Journal Entries - 10 days (For students doing the ACE program at least 10
entries)
1. 29/4/14
Today was the briefing session with the school, where they let us know what we are
doing and how they want us to do it. Walking away from today I am feeling excited to
be a part of something that is going to help another, however I also feel a little
overwhelmed about my ability to contribute. It seems a little daunting to fulfil the
expectations of the school. The question to arise is Can I do this?

2. 5/5/14
Today was the first tutoring session with the student. I made sure that I got to know
her, to build a rapport. The girl seems nice and easy to get along with I am excited to
continue. I also feel that this is going to be a lot of work to consistently keep her
engaged. It struck me during the session how important education is and that my
assistance will better the students life. The same question arises Am I capable?
3. 19/5/14
Today was the first time I noticed some progress with my student and its exciting to
see that Im making a difference. I learnt in society that I am teaching the future and
how important it is to teach the right thing and to get them motivated about learning.
The student and I are getting along nicely and it makes me think that Im likeable and
to keep that persona. The question that arises is What tasks to create and undergo
next?
4. 2/6/14
Today we progressed with the learning content. It is exciting to see some progress
and enthusiasm to learn. We have built a professional relationship, so that effective
communication is achieved and she can share any concerns. I have continued to
find teaching and learning strategies that particularly reflect the students learning
style. It is hard to find different teaching styles. I have learnt that if people work
together and share ideas, we are able to build upon and share our resources.
5. 28/7/14
Today we had a task given to us by the university to gather feedback to give to the
classroom teacher. It was to evaluate the students progress making sure that
everyone was in the loop. I found this evaluation hard, trying to recognise and
articulate the students strengths and weaknesses. Though, I came to realise the
importance of communication within the teaching profession.
6. 11/8/14
Today we progressed with the mathematical content. Its great to see an
improvement from the student. We are progressing through the content, however we
continue to recap and reinforce content that is still misunderstood. I feel that it is
important that concepts are understood before progression as each concept builds
from the previous. I have come to realise that importance of knowledge and sharing
information. The question I come away with is How do I ensure that the information
is retained?

7. 15/9/14
Today was a progress meeting with the school. I was asked how the student was
going and then given strategies to further the progress. The school gave me good
feedback and reassured me that I was doing a good job. However Im still concerned
about how to further the students progress, my self-confidence to set tasks is
minimal. Today I learnt the importance of seeking guidance from others and taking
advice from others.
8. 20/10/14
Today I was given a new student to work with as the previous one was progressing
with leaps and bounds. The initial feelings of anxiety I had at the beginning were
minimal as I felt confident in what I had achieved with the previous student. By the
end of the session I realised that this student is not the same as the previous and
that the same teaching and learning strategies I used before will not be applicable.
Today I realised the individuality of everyone and how important it is to cater to
different leaning styles when teaching.
9. 3/1/14
Today I had a realisation moment; I discovered what the student enjoys to do. This is
going to help me establish my teaching and learning strategies throughout the
tutoring. Once I found this I am able to connect with her and promote an interest for
mathematics using her likes. Although engaging the student with maths work is
evidently harder than it looks. The question I have today is Where do I find teaching
resources?
10. 17/11/14
Today was the final session for the community engagement program. Today I saw a
progression in the students content knowledge and it is exciting to see that my help
has helped another. However I do think have I done enough? Has she progressed
as much as mush as she should have? At the conclusion of this program I do think
that any community engagement is an asset to any community.

C. Self Report - progress towards attaining Professional Teaching Standards and

ACU Graduate Attributes
The Self Report addresses your progress towards the following selection of
Graduate Attributes and Standards:
National Professional Standards for Teachers

1.3.1 Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the

learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious
and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Throughout the community engagement program I have worked one on one with
struggling year 2 mathematics students. Although this school is in a privileged
demographic area, the students and their needs are individual. Therefore during the
small tutoring sessions I have tailored learning activities that individually reflect the
students needs and interests. The individual interests of the students have been
carefully incorporated into the activities so that engagement and interest is achieved
within the program. For example one student enjoys constructively making and
building objects; as a result I used this as a learning tool, incorporating the
mathematical content. This community engagement program has allowed me to
realise the importance of an engaged, happy learner within a teaching and learning
program.

7.3.1 Understand strategies for working effectively, sensitively and confidentially with
parents/carers.
The ability to work effectively, sensitively and confidentially with parents and carers is
clearly important within a teaching career. The ability to communicate with others
about progress and concerns both helps the teacher and student. When liaising with
the classroom teacher I was able to tailor teaching and learning activities to meet the
needs of the students. I also found that sensitivity and confidentially is important to
ensure that the students emotional and social health is sustained. To ensure that
these aspects are maintained teachers are able to schedule private meetings with
parents and include parents within the learning process.

7.4.1 Understand the role of external professionals and community representatives

in broadening teachers professional knowledge and practice.
The teaching profession and especially primary education, incorporates many
different roles. To ensure that every aspect of the curriculum is met, specialist
teachers and professionals help to aid in the development of the students. Experts in
their field educate students at a high standard as they have an in depth knowledge
about their field. Teachers who seek guidance from expert sources are able to
understand and deliver quality information. For example a paediatrician,
psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist and speech therapist work together in order to
diagnose student with such things as Aspergers Syndrome. With this diagnosis,
teachers are able to alter their teaching and learning experiences to develop
enhance the students leaning.

ACU Graduate Attributes

Open-mindedness and receptiveness to new ideas
The community engagement program has allowed me to be involved in a project that
develops my understanding to mathematic and teaching. This project allowed me to
take on a different teaching and learning sequence, while allowing me to construct
my own ideas. I have come to the realisation that being open-minded and receptive
to new ideas helps to develop your own pedagogy. The ability to consider and try
different, new ideas, I believe helps to maximise my teaching potential. Throughout
the community engagement program I took on advice and was given resources that
allowed me to tutor at the best of my ability. I realise that other teachers and
professionals with experience have ideas that are very valuable when developing
your own pedagogy.

Communication and interpersonal skills in working with clients and colleagues

Through constant organisation and communication with the Santa Maria staff I have
developed positive communication and interpersonal skills. I have learnt to express
my thoughts and concerns through different communication modes. I have learnt that
effective communication is key to developing a healthy professional relationship. I
have come to realise the importance of communication within the teaching
profession. Communication about teaching and learning strategies and students
progress is important for the development and effectiveness of students academics.
The ability to communicate with a variety of people involves acquiring a range of
interpersonal skills. Being able to communicate with a variety of people is necessary
when working as part of a team.

Commitment to values consistent with the Universitys Mission (A copy of the

Universitys Mission Statement can be found on LEO).
Within the Catholic intellectual tradition and acting in Truth and Love,
Australian Catholic University is committed to the pursuit of knowledge, the
dignity of the human person and the common good. The ACU Mission
ACUs mission statement is particularly relevant within my community engagement
as I am tutoring a student to help pursuit knowledge. I have shown truth and love
when meeting with the student, by being committed to my duties as tutor and taking
responsibility of my role. I have aided the student to pursuit knowledge by helping
her with struggles and giving strategies to overcome misconceptions. I have related
to the dignity of the human person by considering the students and teachers when
undergoing the program. I have contributed to the common good by partaking in the
community engagement program.

 A spirit of service to the community

A spirit of service to the community is the ability to give back to the community so
that they can better themselves and you can better yourself. In order to become a
serving member of the community their needs to be something to give. You have the
responsibility to be an up standing, professional citizen who has high standards of
personal ethics. Community service involves the selfless act to do the right thing,
being a non-judgemental facilitator of service. I have come to know the feeling of
being a serving community member, the feeling of being selfless and compassionate
to others.

Commitment to good citizenship, including respect for individuals, empathy with

persons of differing cultural and religious backgrounds, community responsibility and
concern for the environment.
This community engagement program has showed me how to respond to a variety of
people, how to work together and communicate with a range of people. I have learnt
that in order to effectively communicate with others a rapport needs to be
established. Building relationships invites a connection of culture and citizenship,
meaning sensitivity and respect is needed to establish this friendship. Friendships
with a variety of people open information to be shared, allowing empathy to emulate.
Being able to work with and communicate with a variety of people allows me to
understand their backgrounds and take part in a community project that makes a
difference.