Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Learning Specialist - Range 3
Occupation: Learning specialist
Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs
Reference: 1499861
The Learning Specialist - Pedagogy supports teachers in improving their practice and student outcomes. They work collaboratively with teachers, providing feedback, modelling best practices in teaching and learning through demonstration, mentoring and coaching teachers in improving their skills and facilitating professional development. The goal is to improve the teaching workforce by enhancing teaching effectiveness and ultimately improving student outcomes. They work alongside other Learning Specialists, Leading Teachers, and Assistant Principal ¿ Curriculum to implement school-wide initiatives.
Leadership and Strategic Alignment
Coaching and Mentoring Teachers
Professional Learning and Collaboration
Curriculum and Assessment Support
Evaluation and Impact
Advocacy and Inclusion
Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.
Springvale Park Special Developmental School is located in the vibrant community of Springvale in South-East Melbourne. The school is easily accessible by car and public transport, with buses and trains stopping at Springvale Station, just a one-minute walk from the school.
Springvale Park SDS is a dynamic and innovative centre for learning for students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Our students may also present with comorbid conditions. We provide a targeted and enriching learning environment based on their individual needs. We foster a strong atmosphere of curiosity, independence, and belonging through high-quality teaching and learning programs that recognise the unique strengths and abilities of every student.
We currently have an enrolment of 205 school-aged students and 32 children in our Early Education Program, with numbers expected to continue growing over the coming years. Students are grouped into Foundation, Junior, Middle, Inter, and Senior sections, encompassing 31 classrooms, with an additional three classrooms dedicated to our Early Education Program.
As our enrolment increases, so too does our commitment to upgrading and expanding our facilities. Recently, we completed the construction of a new Senior School building featuring eight modern classrooms and a Life Skills Lounge. This purpose-built space supports innovative programs designed to enhance student independence and prepare them for post-school life. Looking ahead, a new swimming pool will be built on-site in 2026, providing students with improved opportunities to develop water safety skills and engage in activities that promote sensory regulation.
Teaching and learning at Springvale Park SDS is highly individualised and responsive, ensuring every student can access the curriculum and achieve personal growth through engaging, differentiated, and evidence-based educational programs.
Teaching and learning at Springvale Park SDS:
Teaching and learning at Springvale Park SDS, is highly individualised and focuses on improving both the short-term and longer term outcomes of our students. Three distinct curricula support our students¿ journeys across their schooling career. As an early education provider, students' learning is based on the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), with a heavy focus on school-readiness, through play-based learning, communication development, and social and emotional skills.
Once students move into school age, they access the Victorian Curriculum 2.0. School age students have a focus on communication skills, through the use of an augmentative and alternative communication system, continue to develop literacy skills through Comprehensive Literacy Instruction, and numeracy is taught through hands-on and immersive experiences. Along with a strong academic focus, students develop social, emotional and independence skills.
In students¿ Senior years, learning moves onto the ASDAN curriculum. Students at this level work through a series of modules designed to support the critical skills needed to post-school, including travel training, leisure activities, numeracy, literacy, communication, cooking, sports and others. All student learning is further supported through Individual Education Plans (IEP).
Additional enrichment programs are run to enhance students¿ learning experiences. These include:
Working at Springvale Park SDS:
Class sizes range from five to ten students, with each class supported by a teacher and an Education Support Officer (ESO). Teachers are provided with a full day of planning each week to collaborate with their section teams on developing high-quality unit planners and weekly programs.
Staff are supported by a dedicated multi-disciplinary team, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists, who work alongside educators to meet each student¿s individual needs.
Learning Specialists, Leading Teachers, and the Assistant Principal ¿ Curriculum also provide guidance and coaching for teachers and ESOs. Our Learning Specialist for Behaviour Intervention works to maximise in-class and whole school supports for teachers and ESOs to make sure our students have the best educational experience they can while at our school.
Ongoing professional learning is offered throughout the year to ensure all staff remain up to date with best practices and Department of Education initiatives, such as the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, Professional Learning Communities, etc.
At Springvale Park SDS, we place a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of our staff, students, and families, taking a holistic, school-wide approach to care and support. Our dedicated Wellbeing Team includes a Leading Teacher for Wellbeing, a Mental Health Practitioner, a Mental Health in Primary Schools teacher, an NDIS Navigator, and a school nurse. In addition to these internal supports, we also engage external providers to offer optional counselling sessions for all staff each term that complement regular celebrations and activities that connect staff, ensuring that wellbeing remains at the heart of our school community.