Nomination Form 2015

The Ruth Probert Memorial Medal for Excellence in Beginning Teaching

We hereby nominate
Daniella Porcaro......
undertaking the Early Childhood/Primary R-7/ Middle and Secondary School
/Special Education (please highlight) pre-service course of study for the Ruth Probert
Memorial Medal for Excellence in Beginning Teaching.
Name
Position
Email

Name
Position
Email

School/Site

Josh Vick
Deputy Principal, Woodcroft Primary School (Site Pre-service Coordinator)
Josh.Vick139@schools.sa.edu.au

Gwenda Cunningham
University Liaison
gwenda.cunningham@flinders.edu.au

Flinders University

You may wish to provide extra evidence to support their final report using the following criteria:
Outstanding professional qualities:

Daniella has demonstrated a sound knowledge of the Australian Curriculum. She is quick to
assess the students needs and has shown the ability to differentiate the curriculum to meet those
needs. She has demonstrated flexibility and constantly seeks to ensure the teaching/learning
environment provides optimal conditions for student to achieve their personal best. Daniella has
strong classroom management skills and is aware of the need to use new strategies as required.
Daniella seamlessly showed a calm, positive approach to change, as she worked with several
mentors across two schools.
Daniellas contribution to supporting the high level needs of students with verified disabilities
(including Autism and Severe Speech/Language Impairment) at Woodcroft Primary was
outstanding. Her level of professionalism, organisation and empathy was equal of what one would
expect from a fully qualified teacher in this area and her ability to apply knowledge/theory to
practice was clearly demonstrated throughout her placement.
Planning that demonstrates an understanding of inclusivity and social justice:

As a Special Education student, Daniella came into her final Professional Experience with a strong
knowledge that children come to school from many different situations and with a wide range of
learning needs. As an educator, it is part of her role to set appropriate programs for all students to
achieve goals and to be involved with each other. Throughout, Daniella provided quality programs
and where appropriate, involved parents, who were constantly informed as to how their children
were progressing.
Daniella invested a significant amount of time prior to the commencement of her placement to
ensure she had a clear understanding of the students she would be working with and the
classroom and school environment in which she was to be operating. This included the
establishment of working relationships with key staff ahead of time, which ultimately set both her
and the students she supported up for success during her practicum.
Please forward to the Professional Experience Office: jill.crump@flinders.edu.au by Friday 19th June 2015.

Nomination Form 2015

Knowledge of relevant curriculum areas and teaching methodologies:

Daniella came into the final professional experience with a reasonable understanding of
methodologies but was constantly seeking to expand and improve to a higher level. She soon
came to see that quality teachers, even if they have taught for many years, are always engaging in
professional development, always seeking to keep up with new ideas and ways to enhance their
teaching. Daniella took this on board and through independent reading and collaboration with other
experienced professionals, her mentors commented that she has a thorough understanding of
teaching methodologies and the understanding of these methodologies.
Daniella is thorough in establishing individual readiness and incorporating this into her
differentiation for individual students. She demonstrated a willingness to consistently put the needs
of her students first and work collaboratively with staff and parents to ensure quality learning
outcomes were reached.

Assessment, recording and reporting of student learning:

Daniella has the confidence to be innovative. In this area, she had planned to develop a video to
use at an assembly, showing what the students had learnt about shapes. But time ran out!
Throughout her time in her schools, Daniella took note of a range of assessment methods and the
recording of outcomes.
Daniella accessed and utilised available student data to inform her planning and preparation, as
well as collecting her own teacher evidence throughout her practicum. The strong working
relationships Daniella maintained allowed her to provide constant anecdotal feedback on student
engagement and learning to class teachers, school support staff and Regional Support personnel.

Climate for learning, and student management strategies:

Daniella displays a calm but firm demeanor. She is seen as fair and shows the students that she
really cares for them. She developed trusting and respectful relationships and while she maintained
the existing strong classroom climate, she also introduced strategies of her own and confidently
made suggestions were appropriate.
In connecting with students on a personal level, Daniella was able to engender trust and establish
optimal conditions for student learning. Some of the students with whom she worked presented
extremely challenging behaviours and dispositions to learning, demanding high level management
and support practices on her part.
Reflective practice and self-development:

Danielle has made the observation that to be the best educator possible, it is necessary to
continually seek professional development and collaborate with others.
. I recognise that I am only at the beginning of my teaching career, and plan to expand these
skills and work towards these objectives as I develop as an educator. Danielle
One of the most impressive aspects of Daniellas conduct was the initiative she showed in following
up questions or difficulties with relevant school personnel, always in a timely and sensitive manner.
Please limit to 2 pages.

Please forward to the Professional Experience Office: jill.crump@flinders.edu.au by Friday 19th June 2015.