Teaching is a both a vocation and a profession

Australian Council of Professions define a Profession as a “Disciplined group of individuals who adhere

to ethical standards. This group positions itself as possessing special knowledge and skills in a widely

recognised body of learning derived from research, education and training at a high level.” (Council,

2018). The Lisa Roger’s former CEO of AITSL mentioned that teaching is a vocation and profession and

all the Australian teachers must fulfil the high standards of teaching to teach in the Australian schools

(O’sullivan, 2016; Rogers, 2017).

These standards represent the knowledge, skills, experience and productive teachers. It assures the

quality and responsibility of the teaching profession and expresses what teachers should be

anticipated to know and be able to do it in four professional stages: Graduate, Proficient, Highly

accomplished and Lead (AITSL, 2017b). These stages review the teacher’s advanced professional skills

and knowledge in a teaching field from undergraduate level to a perfect class room professional and

a leader in the teaching career. Australian teaching standards provide the professionalisation of

teaching and elevate the status of the teaching profession. There are seven standards that describe

what teachers should know and be able to do. They are categorised into three major parts:

Professional Knowledge, Professional Practice and Professional Engagement as follows (AITSL, 2011,

2017b).

“Professional Knowledge - 1. Know students and how they learn

2.Know the content and how to teach it

Professional Practice - 3.Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning

4.Create and maintain supportive and safe learning

environments

5.Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning

Professional Engagement 6.Engage in professional learning

7.Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and

the community” (NESA, 2012, 4)