Professional Development for AEU women
The AEU runs a full program of professional development for women members with a particular emphasis on preparing and applying for leading teacher and leadership positions.
All AEU event booking is now online. To register for any event listed on this page, click on the date. For further information please email Gayle Bernhardt or phone (03) 9418 4860. Please note: This training is not open to student members.
Gippsland AEU/DEECD Women's Network
The Gippsland women's network, run in conjunction with the Education Department, has a focus on PD and supporting women members who may be thinking about leadership positions. It meets once a year.
- In 2012 the meeting was held on Tuesday March 13. Please check back here early next year for the 2013 date.
Conflict resolution workshops - NEW
Conflict is an unfortunate reality in education workplaces today. This specially designed full-day workshop on constructive conflict resolution will be run by experienced facilitator Christina McMahon. Practical and outcome-focused, it will give you strategies and mechanisms to analyse and resolve conflict.
Where: AEU Building, 112 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford Vic 3067
Time: 9.15am - 4.15pm
Cost: Member - $50.00 (price including GST)
To reserve your place, click on a date above. Book early - places limited!
Lunch and morning tea provided. For further information please email Gayle Bernhardt or phone (03) 9418 4860.
School leadership: Making the decision and preparing yourself
Being a principal, assistant principal or leading teacher is a fantastic, rewarding role. But many of us would like to think about the next step in our career carefully before actually applying. This full day session is a chance to devote some time to reflection and discussion about the joys and dilemmas facing you if you are thinking about a senior leadership position. Here are some, but not all, the questions we will spend time on.
- Why do I want a more senior leadership position? Do I have an understanding of what motivates me? What are the rewards for me?
- Do I have the skills, energy and a clear sense of purpose that will sustain me during the role?
- What does effective leadership mean? What is the research telling us?
- What will a senior leadership position mean for me and my life?
- What aspects of the role will I find confronting? How do other women leaders deal with the difficult aspects of their work?
- What are the skills and the knowledge I need to acquire? How do I acquire them?
The day is facilitated by former assistant principal and education leadership expert Helen Rix, together with some women in principal class positions in schools, will contribute their experiences and suggestions to the discussion.
School leadership: Writing the application
Former Eltham High School assistant principal and education leadership expert Helen Rix runs an intensive practical workshop for AEU women members who are aiming for leading teacher, assistant principal or principal roles. This workshop will help you develop answers to selection criteria and identify essential content and focus.
Both events will be held from 2.00pm to 5.00pm at the AEU Abbotsford office.
School leadership: Interviews for success
Former assistant principal and education leadership expert Helen Rix also runs this intensive practical workshop on unlocking the interview process, how to present yourself as an effective woman educational leader and convince the panel of your leadership capabilities.
Both events will be held from 2.00pm to 5.00pm at the AEU Abbotsford office.
TAFE Women Councillors - NEW
TAFE Council is a crucial decision-making body in the AEU. It needs to fully reflect the sector, but women are under-represented among TAFE councillors. Come along to these morning sessions for a conversation with other AEU and TAFE women about issues that affect the sector and you, and a discussion about the realities and benefits of being a councillor and council processes; talk to branch president Mary Bluett, deputy branch secretary Gillian Robertson, TAFE deputy VP Greg Barclay and women's officer Barb Jennings and then sit in on AEU TAFE committee and branch council. Find out more about your union and the role you can play in it. Click here for dates and further details.
Northern Metropolitan AEU Women's Network
Our first metropolitan women's network has a focus on PD and supporting women members who may be thinking about leadership positions. Its members range from beginning teachers to experienced principals.
- Next date 2012 - TBA
Flexible work options seminar
The AEU's women's program and principal class association co-host this annual seminar on flexible work arrangements. Employees in government schools enjoy stronger rights to part-time work, job-sharing, home-working and other flexibilities under the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act. The event will be held 4.30pm - 6.00pm at the AEU Abbotsford office.
Building resilience/Changing cultures
This program, open to all AEU women members, is facilitated by Debra Ferguson, of RedDeb Consulting.
This very popular program is currently not on offer. If you would like to register your interest for future sessions, please email Gayle Bernhardt.
Building resilience and managing negativity
This session covers building emotional capability for leadership, managing yourself and dealing with workplace stressors and negative people – and having a positive impact.
Changing cultures and having the difficult conversations
This workshop builds on the Building Resilience session, but can be taken as a standalone event.
Other programs
Check this page regularly for updates on these upcoming programs for AEU women members in schools.
Don't forget, AEU women members can also take part in the Anna Stewart Memorial Project which aims to get women more involved in their union, or the Rosemary Richards Scholarship, a federal grant to conduct research or complete a project connected to union activities. Please note these programs have their own application processes - follow the links for details.
