Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Learning Specialist - Range 3
Occupation: Learning specialist
Location: Melbourne - Western suburbs
Reference: 1493067
SC1 Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum. Demonstrated ability to model exemplary teaching practice, including the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum, and implement school priorities.
SC2 Demonstrated expertise in the implementation and modelling of high impact teaching strategies that respond to student learning needs. Demonstrated ability to support teachers to evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth
SC3 Demonstrated exemplary ability to model the monitoring and assessment of student learning. Demonstrated ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.
SC4 Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.
SC5 Demonstrated ability to model behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated ability to support others to reflect on their practice and facilitate school-based professional learning.
Learning Specialists will be highly skilled classroom practitioners who continue to spend the majority of their time in the classroom delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning. Learning Specialists are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons and, mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce.
The Learning Specialist role is aimed at building excellence in teaching and learning within the Teaching Service.
In recognition of the importance of exemplary practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the Learning Specialists may include but are not limited to:
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.
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.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
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 a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.
Karwan Primary School is currently seeking a passionate Literacy Learning Specialist to join our esteemed team. We highly value educators who align with our collaborative, hard-working, and dedicated values, while also embodying a flexible and open mindset that fosters a delightful working environment. Our staff members bring together a diverse range of skills and expertise, working collectively to support one another and our students.
The position will commence at the beginning of the 2026 school year. However, if the successful applicant would like to begin earlier, this can be arranged to support a smooth handover with the staff member who will be commencing maternity leave.
Please note, this is a one-year Learning Specialist tenure. When Karwan Primary School first opened, we established nine Learning Specialists to support our foundation year with 350 students. In 2025, our enrolments will exceed 900 students, and by 2027 we expect to be approaching close to 1000 students. As our school continues to grow, the leadership needs will look very different. All nine Learning Specialist tenures will conclude at the end of 2026, and we anticipate that in 2027 we will require a mixture of Learning Specialist, Leading Teacher and Assistant Principal Range 1 positions. We expect and encourage our current Learning Specialists to apply for these leadership opportunities as they arise.
Guided by our Leadership Team, led by the Head of Teaching and Learning, you will receive dedicated support and guidance in your role as a Learning Specialist, ensuring your success in both the classroom and your leadership responsibilities.
As the Literacy Learning Specialist at Karwan Primary School, you will play a key role in leading and shaping our whole-school approach to literacy. Our literacy instruction is underpinned by The Science of Reading, ensuring that all students receive high-quality, evidence-based teaching that builds strong foundational reading and writing skills. In Prep to Year 2, we have successfully implemented InitiaLit as our core whole-class program, providing every child with the essential knowledge and skills needed to become confident and capable readers and writers. Across all year levels, our teaching practices are aligned with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, with a particular emphasis on Explicit Teaching as a high-impact strategy to support literacy growth.
In this role, you will maintain a part-time teaching load while also leading whole-school professional learning, coaching and mentoring colleagues, and supporting Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) to collaboratively plan and use student learning data to meet the diverse needs of every learner. Your leadership will be instrumental in ensuring consistent, research-informed literacy practices across the school that lead to strong and sustained student outcomes.
At Karwan Primary School, we have a clear understanding of what effective leadership entails. It is about working alongside our staff and students, fostering trust and a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. True leadership is about actively engaging with our team members, building trust, and providing support. We value the autonomy and expertise of our staff, avoiding the trap of micromanagement. Instead, we create an environment where individuals are empowered to take ownership of their work and contribute their unique talents to our shared goals. Our leadership style is centred on cultivating strong relationships based on mutual respect and open communication. By embracing and understanding our own leadership style, we foster a collaborative, growth-oriented atmosphere that ensures the success and well-being of our entire school community.
Learning Specialists will play a vital role as middle leaders at Karwan Primary School, bridging the connection between the Leadership Team, Teachers and Education Support Personnel on the ground. It is imperative for Learning Specialists to align their direction with that of the Leadership Team. As middle leaders, Learning Specialists act as a crucial link between the strategic vision of the school and the practical implementation in classrooms. At Karwan Primary School, we value a culture of unity and collaboration. By aligning our efforts and working closely with all stakeholders, Learning Specialists can maximise their impact on student learning outcomes, staff growth and the overall success of the school.
Karwan Primary School boasts state-of-the-art facilities, purposefully designed to enhance the learning experience. Our facilities encompass individual classrooms, communal spaces, a gymnasium, science laboratory, as well as visual arts and performing arts spaces. Furthermore, our expansive and meticulously manicured grounds provide an inspiring environment for both students and teachers.
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, we encourage you to contact our Assistant Principal - Head of Teaching and Learning, Rob Nikolic. Rob is available to provide further information about the role and our school context. School tours for prospective applicants will be held on Monday 15 September at 4:00 pm, Wednesday 17 September at 9:00 am and Thursday 18 September at 4:00 pm. To book a tour, please email [email protected]
Joining Karwan Primary School means becoming an integral part of a collaborative, dedicated, and supportive community where your expertise as a Learning Specialist will be highly valued. Together, we can continue to make a significant impact on the lives of our students and create a vibrant and enjoyable environment for our staff.