ESSAY

In this essay I will be explaining my personal and critical reflection of my professional

experiences at my primary and secondary schools. I will write about the roles and
responsibilities of teachers, the different needs and abilities of students and the functions of
schools in Australia. I will also explain why I have chosen to continue my studies with
primary education.
Three main roles I have seen of teachers in both primary and secondary schools are
behaviour management of the students, a desire for the teachers to work their hardest and
keeping the students safe. The teachers in my classes were able to control their class well
and know how to discipline the students when needed. A worksheet we did in our workshop
(task 3) had a number of different behaviour problems that might occur in the classroom. I
found these to be very useful in helping discipline my classes. Students were taught
differently in primary than secondary. Secondary seemed to be more working on
assignments however in primary the teacher was teaching many subjects a day which will
suit me better. The safety of students is as important in primary as it is in secondary.
Students had a wide range of diversity of skills in both primary and secondary. Students in
Secondary school were split up into the skill level groups and had higher level classes and
lower level classes for each year. This allowed teachers to create different lessons for their
different classes. In primary school however everyone was in the same class and so the
teacher needed to be aware of who is racing ahead and who is falling behind and be able to
plan their lessons accordingly. I found reading through the Steve gets it wrong worksheet (
Barry, K & King, L, 1998) we received in class very helpful to be able to create my lesson for
different skill levels and also know for the future. Teachers also need to realise who is
answering the questions the most so other children can have a chance.
The function of schools in Australian society today is a very broad subject however the main
things I learnt from my experience is that schools are needed to give children the best
education possible so they can be set up to have a successful adult future. The children need
to have as much opportunity as they can at both primary and secondary schools but also to
start having a social life and making friends. In the article what schools do, in school is dead
(Reimer,E. 1971) he talks about the four main roles of teachers. They are custodial care,
social role selection, indoctrination and education. It states that custodial care is universally
provided by schools. Taking care of the students is a very good part of schools in society
today.
In conclusion I have expanded on the roles of teachers, the diversity of abilities of students
in the classroom and how schools function in society today. I have also talked about the
difference of primary and secondary to help explain why I have chosen to continue with
primary as I believe I will enjoy this more and be a better teacher.
Reference list
Barry, K & King, L. (1998). Beginning Teaching and Beyond. 3
rd
Edition.
Thomson Social Science Press: Victoria. Pp63-67.
Reimer, E. (1971). What Schools Do, School Is Dead, Ringwood, Victoria:
Penguin, Pp22-33.
Task 3 worksheet from workshop what would you do?