“I touch the future. I teach”  Krista  McAuliffe, teacher and astronaut.

In a changing society, teachers are faced with increasing demands and expectations. With classroom experience spanning many years and recent experience in teacher education, both pre-service and in-service, Penny Bingham has experienced the rewards, fulfillment, demands and challenges of this noble profession.

Kaleidoscope Education offers mentoring and professional support for teachers through:

• Electronic mentoring for graduate teachers, re-entry teachers, teachers in remote locations and those wishing to create dynamic learning communities within their classrooms.
• Development of professional portfolios, curriculum vitae and applications for merit promotion.
• Stress management

Testimonial

I have grown as a teacher under your guidance, Penny.   You have taught me to critically reflect; to evaluate why I do what I do; to critique my beliefs about teaching and learning and to formulate an informed philosophy of education.  In addition to assisting with classroom management issues, developing intervention plans for students at risk and suggesting resources and strategies, you have underpinned all of this with relevant contemporary theory and professional reading.  I am now confident to take on a role as a curriculum leader at school and contribute to meaningful change.  Your great strength is your ability to bring out the best in people.  Thank you.
Lis Mathiasen
West Australian Dept of Education and Training (2009)

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Kaleidoscope Education offers personal and professional support for teachers through:

Teacher mentoring Programs

Targeting graduate teachers, re-entry teachers, teachers in remote locations and those wishing to create dynamic learning communities within their classrooms.

Teacher mentoring programs typically run for a semester with regular contact via Skype and/or e-mail.  Included amongst Penny’s mentees, have been aspirants for the Western Australian Level 3 Classroom Teacher program.

Content:
The content of these programs, which is negotiated in response to the identified needs of the participating teacher, typically encompasses:

 

• classroom management issues
• program planning
• curriculum development
• integrated curriculum
• differentiated curriculum
• assessment
• action research
• reflective practice
• performance management planning

Development of professional
Portfolios

 

Penny has experienced outstanding success in supporting colleagues in the preparation of professional portfolios and applications for merit promotion.  She is a trained and experienced assessor of portfolios for the Western Australian Level 3 Classroom Teacher selection process.

Content:

Penny works in consultation with the aspirant to develop the required documents based on the aspirant’s work and professional narrative.  Penny’s expertise assists aspirants in identifying their strengths, achievements and contributions, elaborating on these and strategically linking them to system requirements and to school-based policies and priorities.

I can’t think of words powerful enough to thank you for your assistance in getting my Level 3 portfolio together.  Without your untiring support it would never have been done.  Thank you so much Penny.  You are truly amazing.

Lorraine Koontz

Level 3Teacher,

West Australian Department of Education and Training.

 

Penny, Thank you so much for your support and guidance with my Level 3 portfolio.  I have grown immensely through the process- and it all started with you giving me the confidence to have a try.  I know I would not have persisted without your encouragement and motivation.

Yvette Hill

Level 3 Teacher,

West Australian Department of Education and Training.

 

Stress management

The toxic effects of stress are widely recognized.  When our physical and emotional well-being are out of balance, our capacity to fulfill our roles as teachers, parents, partners or friends is impeded.  
Kaleidoscope Education offers sessions to equip teachers to identify the symptoms, better-manage stress and sustain a successful work-life balance.