Geraldton to host regional conference for teaching assistants

Geraldton will host an inaugural Mid West conference for the West Australian Association of Teaching Assistants on February 29.

Organiser Kerrie Wann said the event was organised after feedback from principals that Mid West teachers and assistants often missed out on training because it was too expensive for schools to send them to Perth for professional development days.

“This conference will be focused on local experts giving teachers’ assistants the tools to address the curriculum for students with special needs,” she said.

Allendale primary school teacher and conference presenter Martine Thurkle said there was a need for professional development workshops in the Mid West.

“Over the past few years education assistants have had to take on much more specific work than they used too,” she said.

The conference will cover a wide range of topics, from novel STEM teaching to mental health and behavioural management.

Ms Wann said she hoped hundreds of education assistants from across the Mid West would attend and benefit from the networking and professional development.