PD coordinators share success stories
May 2009
Regional team line-up ... PDCs Vikki Knight (Wide Bay-Burnett), Julie Moore (Far North), Leanne Plasto (Far North), Colleen Cooling (Fitzroy-Central West), Sandy Scanes (Moreton), Christie Sunner (Sunshine Coast), Donna Philips (Mackay-Whitsunday), Terri-Anne Vriesema (Darling Downs-South West) and Samantha Donovan (South Coast).
Queensland's 12 regional professional development coordinators (PDCs) came from all corners of the state to meet in Brisbane in May for planning sessions and to share their success stories.
Department of Education and Training Strategic Human Resources Assistant Director-General Tom Barlow says the PDCs have important roles in schools and education regions.
'Their tasks may differ but their main responsibility is to support the ongoing development of teacher and school leader capabilities to ensure young Queenslanders are equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in life,' Mr Barlow said.
'The department values our staff and believes ongoing professional development is essential for them to be effective educators and leaders.'
Regional PDC Terri-Anne Vriesema organises and conducts professional development programs in the Darling Downs-South West Queensland region which covers about 250,000km2 and is larger than the United Kingdom.
The region is divided into four districts with 169 state schools and each has different contexts, issues and governance structures.
'My position provides the means and opportunities for these individual districts to unite as a region through various professional development programs,' Ms Vriesema said.
'Due to the size and complexity of this region, we have embraced the use of technology to span our vast distances.
'We often use vodcasts to reach staff in our remote schools. This allows them to access PD at their own convenience and work through it at their own pace.
'We also use video conferencing, data conferencing with teleconferencing and, with the introduction of OnePortal, we have begun to establish specific community sites that meet the needs of the target audience.'
Ms Vriesema said before regionalisation and the PDC position, induction for beginning principals and teachers was not always offered in a consistent or coordinated way.
'This situation is now reversed,' she said. 'Due to the size of this region, every year an induction "event" is conducted in two places - Toowoomba and Roma - at the same time.
'This "event" is used as a springboard for our OnePortal ongoing induction program.
'The program includes six weeks of interactive online development focusing on a functional unit each week and ending in a teleconference to summarise content, check and clarify understanding and discuss any issues.'
Other languages