STANDARD 6.1
Identify and plan professional learning needs: Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
ARTEFACT 1:
PERSONAL AUDIT OF SKILLS & STANDARDS
Artefact 1 are components of my professional learning plan.
At the beginning of the course, I completed a personal audit of my art and design skills, as well as my knowledge of teaching standards. This process prompted me to critically reflect on both my technical expertise and broader professional capabilities, helping me identify strengths and areas for growth across a range of materials, techniques, and pedagogical approaches.
I realised that if I expect students to take creative risks, experiment, and embrace mistakes as part of their artistic process, I must also demonstrate these behaviours through my own evolving practice. In response, I have undertaken targeted professional learning to strengthen my technical skills and stay current with contemporary practices.
This includes attending evening classes in ceramics and wheel throwing, as well as upskilling in digital design tools such as Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop (Standard 2.6 – ICT).
These efforts not only expand my creative capabilities but also allow me to deliver relevant, industry-aligned learning experiences, modelling professional adaptability for students.Beyond technical growth, this audit encouraged me to reflect on the relational aspects of teaching, particularly in regards to teaching strategies and how the arts can support student wellbeing and self-expression. As part of meeting Standard 6.1, I have set clear goals for ongoing growth.
My current strengths lie in fashion design, textiles, drawing, collage, watercolour, and digital design. Moving forward, I aim to develop proficiency in painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, photography, media arts, technical drawing, glasswork, and mixed-media installation. Broadening my expertise will enable me to design a more inclusive curriculum and support students in selecting creative processes that align with their individual ideas, identities, and cultural contexts.
This artefact demonstrates my commitment to reflective practice and continual improvement, ensuring that I grow alongside my students as both an artist and educator.