Leading the Way in Teacher Professional Learning
At Wesley College, professional learning isn't a one-size-fits-all approach - it's personalised, innovative and teacher-led, ensuring our educators are equipped to deliver exceptional learning experiences for every student.
By Milica Savic, Rebecca Russell Saunders and Melissa Ma, Professional Learning Coaches
A Culture of Growth and Innovation
Wesley College recognises that responsive teaching requires flexibility and innovation. Milica Savic, Coordinator of Learning and Teaching at Elsternwick Campus, explains: "Even though we share a common vision and values, the students within our classrooms are different, and that means the teaching is going to be different because it's responsive. We're delivering the curriculum and everyone is meeting expectations - it's just teaching plus."
That 'plus' is Wesley's Personalised Professional Learning (PPL) program, which recognises that teachers, like students, thrive when they can direct their own professional growth. Rather than a top-down delivery model, PPL empowers teachers to lead their own professional growth through inquiry cycles and action research.
Led by our Heads of Learning and Teaching, Erin Bruns (Glen Waverley Campus) and Peggy Mahy (St Kilda Road and Elsternwick Campus), the three Professional Learning Coaches across Wesley's campuses have witnessed first-hand how this approach transforms teaching practice and, ultimately, student learning outcomes.
Real Impact in the Classroom
The results speak for themselves. In a Year 2 classroom at Elsternwick, eight-year-olds are exploring systems thinking with Jane Mehmet (Year 2 Homeroom Teacher) - one of the top future skills needed in our rapidly changing world. "These young learners are asking questions like 'What would happen if we didn't have these resources?' or 'What would happen if money wasn't a thing?'" says Milica. "It's helping them grasp the bigger picture, see interconnections and relationships, rather than just isolated parts."
This level of sophisticated teaching doesn't happen by accident. It's the direct result of teachers who are supported, empowered and inspired to innovate across all our campuses.
A Comprehensive Approach to Professional Learning
Wesley's approach to professional learning has four key levers:
Personalised Professional Learning (PPL): Every teacher engages in action research and inquiry cycles, reflecting on their practice with a specific area of focus.
External Professional Learning: Teachers are supported to pursue external opportunities connected to their specific areas of interest or leadership.
Culture-Building Opportunities: Programs like the Educator Book Club and Open Classrooms foster a culture of thinking, innovation and reflection across the College.
Scheduled Professional Learning: Led by school leaders and focused on our key priorities.
"If we want that culture of thinking, innovation and reflection for our students, we need to have that for our teachers as well," Rebecca explains. This philosophy drives everything we do as Professional Learning Coaches at Elsternwick, Glen Waverley and St Kilda Road.
Teacher-Led Excellence
In 2023, PPL launched with around 10 facilitated options for teachers. By 2024, it opened up to include teacher-initiated groups. This year, the College is running 16 facilitated PPL groups across all three campuses, with 35 expressions of interest from teachers wanting to facilitate learning for their peers next year.
Topics range from feedback and inquiry-based learning to generative AI, self-regulation, student agency and retrieval practice. Teachers explore three key questions: How might this impact student learning? How will I measure progress? How will I structure my learning time?
"The idea is that we shift towards so many opportunities that peers are facilitating for each other," says Melissa. "We recognise that the expertise and experience is here - how do we tap into that?"
The beauty of PPL is seeing how teachers take ownership of their learning journey. Some choose to explore new pedagogical approaches, others dive deep into subject-specific innovations, but all are united by a commitment to improving outcomes for their students.
Sharing and Celebrating Learning
At the end of each semester, every campus hosts a Showcase of Learning where teachers share their work through Gallery Walks, pair shares or TeachMeets. These campus-based celebrations allow us to see the incredible diversity of inquiry happening across Wesley.
The emphasis isn't on replicating what others have done, but on reflecting: How does this connect to my own experience? What does this mean for my thinking? How have my assumptions impacted my learners?
"It's really inspiring and it makes you appreciate working somewhere like this," Rebecca reflects. These showcase events have become highlights of our professional calendar, demonstrating the depth of expertise and passion within our teaching community.
The Wesley Difference
For prospective teachers, PPL demonstrates how professional learning is genuinely valued and supported at Wesley. For parents, it's assurance that their children are being taught by educators who are continuously reflecting, growing and innovating.
Every parent wants to know that their child is known and understood in terms of where they're at, how they're learning and what they need. “At Wesley education is not about a single formula – it's about responding to the individuals in the classroom.” shares Melissa.
We've moved away from the traditional top-down delivery of professional learning. Instead, we've created a culture where teachers have genuine autonomy, balanced with the right amount of structure and accountability. The results are evident in every classroom across Elsternwick, Glen Waverley and St Kilda Road.
With teachers empowered to lead their own learning, Wesley College continues to deliver teaching that's not just excellent - it's teaching plus.
