Yarra Glen Primary School has officially announced its skilled, caring, and devoted team of integration aides has been nominated for the Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.
Yarra Glen Primary School’s education support team comprises five members, led by team leader Danielle Joseph.
Despite having different levels of experience in education, the team has the same goal of helping students in their growth.
“We support students in the classroom with not only their education but also their well-being to make sure they can access the learning that the teacher’s giving and make connections with students so that they feel safe, supported and connected,” Ms Joseph said.
“When they feel safe, connected and valued, then they can access their education and flourish.
“The main thing this team does really well is make connections with students and meet them where they’re at.”
Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards recognise exceptional teacher aides and teacher aide teams, working in state, catholic and independent schools across Australia, who are making a positive difference to student learning and wellbeing.
Ms Joseph has worked as an education support for five years.
“I started to become an ES (education support) because I wanted to make sure that every child felt like they were valued, cared for and safe at school,” she said.
Kai Martin has been part of the team for about four years and said he’s enjoyed teaching and seeing kids grow.
Alli McVicar, who has worked at the school for nearly four years, said she gets her happiness from watching the children’s well-being grow and flourish.
Ms McVicar also said she loves helping the children who struggle to build friendships.
“That gives me good joy,” she said.
“Each day is always a new day. We just keep building on the positives and never giving in till they achieve the growth that’s needed.”
Kay Corless and Belinda Russell are more experienced than the other teammates, as Ms Corless has worked with various schools for 11 years, and Ms Russell has worked with children for about 28 years.
Ms Corless said she still enjoys working with children, and Ms Russell said she has satisfaction from seeing the children’s growth and building connections with them.
Not only does the education support team help teachers in the classroom, but they also run small learning opportunities, such as the Mini Lit literacy program, led by Ms Corless and Ms Russell.
Assistant principal Jessica Amey complimented the Mini Lit program.
“We’re seeing a lot of growth from the students in the Mini Lit program in their reading, spelling and their confidence,” she said.
“Their confidence has increased out of sight.”
The Australian Teacher Aide of the Year State Finalists and Highly Commended nominees will be announced on Thursday 14 August, and the winners will be announced on Thursday 4 September, during Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week.
Ms Amey said the ES team deserve the recognition.
“(The nomination) was just to highlight the outstanding work that this team does,” she said.
“They work so well together as a team, but then, within outside of that, they’re working with a whole range of different teachers. It’s pretty complex work.
“The way that they support the students and the teachers that they work with is outstanding. I know that the teachers would really struggle to do their job without this team.”
