Chantelle was interviewed by Kathryn Tonges.
Congratulations Chantelle you have recently successfully completed your first Teacher Effectiveness Training course. Chantelle, please tell us a little about yourself.
I am a mum to two wonderful boys who keep me busy exploring and learning about life. I love to watch and play sport, my favourite sport to play is basketball. I have been teaching secondary students for 10 years, completed a Diploma of Counselling and my current role is Assistant Principal Wellbeing in a Prep-12 school.
How did you first hear about T.E.T.?
I was working with our counselling team at school and really enjoyed learning about Choice/Reality theory. When I did further research into this topic and what was available within Australia, T.E.T content was linked strongly, so I got curious and wanted to know more.
What inspired you to become a T.E.T. instructor?
The content, the skills and the experience that T.E.T builds in people is so empowering. I love being able to give people opportunity to see that things can be different in the classroom and support teachers to build more confidence within themselves to manage their classrooms so the teaching/learning space is greater.
Tell us your experience of conducting your first T.E.T. course? (Including, your growth, what you learned about yourself, what you enjoyed the most, what you would do differently next time.)
Having taught students for many years, it was different facilitating this course for teachers. I was able to grow deeper in the content by leading the T.E.T course, when teachers were challenged we were able to explore the curiosities together through a T.E.T lens and support one another. I enjoyed seeing the teachers put into practice the skills and come back the next week to share their success stories and their learnings when things did not go to plan. There was a genuine vulnerability, connection and trust that grew throughout the course for those teachers involved, a shared experience that has bonded them together. What I would do differently next time is to continue to relate the content to more meaningful and practical real life situations that they are experiencing so that the links are stronger.
How did you gather your first group of participants?
The first group of participants were teachers from the school I work at. We had a group of 8 teachers willing to embrace and develop their skills further. They were male & female, new teachers & experienced teachers and a mix a primary and secondary teachers too.
What were the significant areas of growth and change for your participants after completing the T.E.T. course?
There was massive growth in personal reflection and being willing to share honest conversations with one another of where they are at with their teaching and managing students.
Connecting with one another which may never have occurred due to the different areas these teachers represented within the school.
Confidence that the teachers had found within themselves grew and with that a sense of ownership and accountability to themselves and their colleagues.
The ability to recognise the situation in front of them, make decisions that will enable their needs and the students needs to be met so that the relationship can continue to grow and flourish.
What are your future plans as a T.E.T. Instructor?
I am keen to support another group of teachers from my school through this course next year. Ultimately I would love to facilitate the T.E.T for our sister schools and those students coming through our University as new teachers so that they have the skills and understanding before they step into the classroom to confidently be prepared to support the young people in their care.
Do you have any words of encouragement or advice for new instructors who are hesitating or are about to conduct their first course?
The content and skills are so relevant and practical that they speak for themselves. Be confident, be willing to model and share your own vulnerabilities with the group.
Thank you so much Chantelle for openly sharing your experience. What you have shared is inspirational. I look forward to hearing of other teachers wanting to learn these wonderful skills.
