Supporting Professional Growth at Aitken College

Written by Mrs Elpis Vlahopoulos (Peer Coach Coordinator)

19 March 2026

At Aitken College, we believe that every teacher brings dedication, expertise, and a genuine commitment to student learning. The Growth Coaching program builds on this belief by offering a supportive, reflective space where teachers can continue to grow in innovative and meaningful ways.

Our coaching approach is grounded in the understanding that teachers are already doing the best they can with the resources available to them. Growth happens when we intentionally create opportunities to reflect, experiment, and tap into the wealth of knowledge within our community. The Growth Coaching program is designed to guide staff through that process.

Our coaching model does not rely on subject expertise or age-group specialisation. Instead, it supports staff in identifying the area of practice that will have the greatest impact on their students. Together with their coach, they will reflect on what is happening in their classroom, set a focus, gather resources, and design their own plan to reach a self-determined goal.

The Growth Coaching program aims to provide every teacher with an annual opportunity for reflective, practice-focused coaching that encourages strategic thinking, resource gathering, and ongoing learning. It seeks to build a shared bank of expertise within the College, create opportunities for teachers to learn from one another, and offer a peer-based model supported by trained coaches with dedicated time for their coachees.

The program allows staff to express preferences for coach allocation, maintains confidentiality, and remains separate from staff management to ensure it is not viewed as performance review or compliance. Ultimately, the program promotes creativity and innovation in teaching and learning. This approach keeps the College’s educational values active in daily practice, and supports staff with access to quality resources, professional development, and ongoing learning opportunities.