Who does what? AND What do all those acronyms mean?

Justification
There have been a number of developments and changes to the roles of various school personnel over time. Technology has led to new roles within schools and developments in existing roles. However the different human resources and acronyms that exist can be confusing! This handout: Defines all those confusing acronyms! (A-Z) Provides an outline of key human resources within a school, particularly how you could utilise or relate to them as a classroom teacher. ELEMENT 7 7.1.4 Contributing to the school and wider community
Demonstrate the capacity to work effectively with external professional, teachers aides and community-based personnel to enhance student learning opportunities.

Aboriginal Education Officer o Work with Indigenous students to support learning in the classroom. For example, may provide one-on-one scaffolding in reading (Commonwealth of Australia, 2012).

Aboriginal Resource Teacher o Schools with a high percentage of Aboriginal students will have an Aboriginal Resource Teacher, who assists with implementing Aboriginal pedagogies and resources in the classroom (Commonwealth of Australia, 2012).

Aboriginal Students Liaison Officer (ASLO) o An itinerant role, working with schools to improve the attendance of Aboriginal students (NSW DEC, 2009a).

Early School Support Program (ESSP) o Develop and support programs for children in their first two years of school who are experiencing learning difficulties (NSW DEC, 2010).

ESL Teachers o o Support students who speak English as a second language, providing one-on-one support, as well as assistance in the classroom (NSW DEC, 2009a). Support teachers in providing content based lessons that enhance language learning (Milk, 1999).

General Assistant (GA) o General assistants duties may include: audio visual setup, aiding stock take, OHS equipment, maintenance, security systems, organising furniture and rooms and maintaining school grounds (NSW DEC, 2009a).

Home School Liaison Officers (HSLO) o o Offer support in schools that are having difficulty maintaining regular attendance of their students (NSW DEC, 2009a). Visit schools on referral to identify contributing factors, provide welfare support and conciliation conferences and implement and monitor attendance programs (NSW DET, 2003).

New Scheme Teachers o Teachers who: a) Have never been employed to teach in NSW before October 1, 2004 or b) Have not been employed as a teacher during the last five years (NSW Government, 2004).

Principal, Deputy Principal and Assistant Principal

o o o

Oversees all staff and the education and welfare of all students (NSW DEC, 2009a). Monitors programming at all levels (Nelson, 2010), organises implementation of school initiatives and oversees staff professional development and appointment. Manages school finances (with school council), school property (NSW DEC, 2009b) and fosters school-community partnerships (NSW DEC, 2009a).

School Administrative Staff o o o Reception and office administration, and assisting in class areas such as library. Able to administer first aid and prescribed medication with appropriate training. Assists the principal with maintenance of routines (NSW DEC, 2009a).

Schools Counsellors and Chaplains o o School counsellors create individual learning and behaviour support plans in collaboration with other professionals to assist students (NSW DET, 2008). Schools counsellors work with school chaplains to provide pastoral care on issues such as bereavement, family breakdown and other loss situations, as well as spiritual guidance for students wishing to explore this dimension (NSCA, 2009).

School Councils and P&C o Parent school councils (comprised of volunteer community representatives): - Represent the communitys needs and foster school-community connections - Evaluate the schools physical needs, manage the schools budget, and oversee structural work of the school (DEC, 2009b).
o

P&C (Parents and Citizens) associations assist in policy establishment and procuring of equipment for the school (FP&CA NSW, 2008).

School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) o Assist teachers in the classroom to support students with special needs. Duties may include assisting with class routines, implementing behaviour management and learning programs and working with students to develop social skills and independence (NSW DEC, 2009a). SLSO has replaced the previous titles of teachers aide and instructional assistant (PSA NSW, 2008).

Support Teacher Behaviour Difficulties (STB) o o Usually an itinerant teacher, working with the teacher or directly with students (NSW DEC, 2009a). Assess student behaviour, plan and implement behaviour management plans, consult with staff and provide early intervention as needed (NSW DET, 2003).

Support Teacher/Learning Assistance (STLA) o Work collaboratively with classroom teachers to identify and assess students with learning difficulties and to plan, implement and monitor support programs for these students (NSW DET, 2008).

Teacher Librarians o o Resource and manage the school library to support curriculum (ALIA, 2011). Beware of stereotypical images of teacher librarians (Harrison & Arlington, 2011). Contrary to stereotypes, teacher librarians offer a wealth of specialist knowledge, including new literacy practices for our rapidly changing technological society (Weaver, 2010; Johnston, 2012). Support teachers in implementing new technologies across the curriculum (Johnston, 2012).

References
ALIA (Australian Library and Information Association). (2011). ALIA/ASLA statement on teacher librarians in Australia. Available URL: http://www.alia.org.au/policies/teacherlibrarians.html (accessed 17.4.12). FP&CA NSW (Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of New South Wales). (2008). Information for P&C associations. Available URL: http://www.pandc.org.au/information.seo (accessed 1.5.12). Harrison, D., & Arlington, K. (2011). We're not dragons in pearls, say librarians, we're just misunderstood. Sydney Morning Herald, 24 May. Available URL: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/were-not-dragons-in-pearls-say-librarianswere-just-misunderstood-20110523-1f0vr.html#ixzz1solnha8N (accessed 23.4.12). Johnston, MP. (2012). Connecting teacher librarians for technology integration leadership. School Libraries Worldwide, 18(1), 18-33. Milk, R. (1999). Preparing ESL and Bilingual Teachers for Changing Roles. TESOL Quarterly, 24(3), 407-426. Nelson, BS. (2010). How Elementary School Principals with Different Leadership Content Knowledge Profiles Support Teachers' Mathematics Instruction. New England Mathematics Journal, 42, 43-55. NSCA (National School Chaplaincy Association). (2009). About School Chaplaincy. Available URL: http://schoolchaplaincy.org.au/about-school-chaplaincy/ (accessed 23.4.12). NSW DEC (NSW Department of Education and Communities). (2009a). Staff in Primary and Infants Schools. Available URL: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/az/is_ps_staff.php (accessed 5.5.12). NSW DEC (NSW Department of Education and Communities). (2009b). School Councils, Available URL: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/a-z/schoolcouncils.php. (accessed 1.5.12). NSW DEC (NSW Department of Education and Communities). (2010). Additional Support Available to the School. Available URL: http://www.sydneyr.det.nsw.edu.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93 &Itemid=226 (accessed 18.8.12). NSW DET (Department of Education and Training). (2003). Available URL: http://www.parramattad.det.nsw.edu.au/stud-ser/stud-wel/stud-wel.htm (accessed 4.5.12).

NSW Government. (2004). Institute of Teachers Act 2004 No 65. Available URL: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/sessionalview/sessional/act/2004-65.pdf (accessed 18.8.12). NSW DET (Department of Education and Training). (2008). Whos going to teach my child? A guide for parents of children with special learning needs. Australia: NSW DET. PSA NSW (Public Service Association of New South Wales). (2008). Schools Learning Support Officer Newsletter. Available URL: http://www.psa.labor.net.au/campaigns/1217566369_29415.html (accessed 3.5.2012) Weaver, A. (2010). Teacher librarians: Polymaths or dinosaurs?. Access, 24(1), 18-19.