Role
Learning Specialists will be highly skilled classroom practitioners who continue to spend the majority of their time in the classroom delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning. Learning Specialists are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons and, mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce.
The Learning Specialist role is aimed at building excellence in teaching and learning within the Teaching Service.
Responsibilities
In recognition of the importance of exemplary practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the Learning Specialists may include but are not limited to:
1. Demonstrating high-level expertise in teaching and learning practice
2. Modelling exemplary classroom practice including through teaching demonstration lessons
3. Working with the school leadership team to develop a shared view of highly effective teacher practice
4. Leading and modelling the implementation of whole-school improvement strategies related to curriculum planning and delivery
5. Playing a key role in the provision of professional learning, including through developing processes and protocols for observation and feedback of teacher practice and peer collaboration
6. Modelling effective learning practice and supporting teachers to seek, analyse and act on feedback and on their practice
7. Providing evidence-based feedback to teaching staff to inform their effectiveness and development
8. Providing expert advice about the context, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
9. Supervising and training one or more student teachers and mentoring and/or coaching teachers
10. Modelling exemplary use of student data to inform teaching approaches
11. Developing and promoting school-wide professional learning structures, processes and protocols through Professional Learning Communities
12. Modelling exemplary professional learning practice included through seeking feedback from other teachers and leaders on their own classroom practice as part of critical reflection and inquiry to improve practice
Who May Apply
Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.
EEO AND OHS Commitment
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms – gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see ).
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the Department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Department. Mobile: 0477 726 801 or email on:
Child Safe Standards
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the Department’s exemplar available at:
DE Values
The Department’s employees commit to upholding DE’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DE’s Values complement each school’s own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the DE values is available at:
Conditions of Employment
13. All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
14. Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
15. A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
16. Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at
VIT LANTITE
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.
Location Profile
Established in 1921, Bacchus Marsh College has a long and proud history with strong community links and partnerships. The College is an integral part of the community and the past record of our students in academic, cultural and sporting fields is noted with pride.
Our purpose is to inspire all members of the Bacchus Marsh College community to be lifelong learners. We are open to all by being inclusive. We have strong teacher efficacy – each and every student can and will learn from us. Our students strive to achieve their best and build resilience for the challenges that the future will bring. Our College values are Respect, Responsibility and Effort.
Being the only state secondary school servicing the town, Bacchus Marsh College provides a comprehensive and inclusive curriculum with a range of pathways to meet the interests and needs of a wide variety of students. Literacy, numeracy and ICT are integrated into the teaching and learning program, and a wide range of VCE and VET studies are offered to our senior students, including VM provision, and access to School Based Apprenticeships. “The Avenue” is an example of an alternate program that we offer to cater for our students and can include blended learning options to meet individual student needs. We also have a diverse range of extra-curricular activities on offer.
Ecolinc, a state-wide specialist science and mathematics centre, is an important part of the College, providing our students and staff with a range of opportunities to enhance levels of engagement and learning in science and mathematics. We work in conjunction with the local Shire to operate joint use facilities, including a Recreation Centre. We have invested into ICT infrastructure and boast a genuine 1:1 Netbook program, Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors are installed in almost every classroom, as well as access to video-conferencing facilities. Following recent capital works, our College now boasts state-of-the-art facilities including a Science, Technology and Year 9 Learning Community Centre; a Materials Technology facility including a project yard; Food Technology, Hospitality and VM spaces; a dedicated space for our “Avenue” program; and an extension to Ecolinc. Our refurbishments are well underway to modernise a Library Resource and Study Centre, and planning is progressing towards the redevelopment of our oval and surrounding recreational spaces.
After extensive staff consultation, the College operates in Learning Communities (Year 7 & 8, Year 9, and Years 10-12) to ensure the development of all students, academically and socially. We believe that quality relationships based on inclusiveness and mutual respect between parents, teachers and students are the key to us achieving our purpose. We continue to implement Respectful Relationships and School-wide Positive Behaviours Support and are committed to continuing to utilise this evidence-based framework for positive outcomes.
We have made significant strides forward in recent time, with our achievement and opinion data showing signs of improvement, and our Staff Opinion Survey data is indicating improvement in the key areas, including “Learning”. This suggests that the work that we are doing as a staff in Professional Learning Teams and the like, is having a positive effect on teaching and learning at the College.
The College is within walking distance (approximately 150m) to the Bacchus Marsh Railway Station (Ballarat / Melbourne line). This provides easy access to the school via public transport for teachers from Ballarat or Melbourne.