Become a Specialist Teacher/Tutor

Are you interested in becoming a Speld Qld Specialist Teacher or Specialist Tutor?

Speld Qld is inviting registrations for our Specialist Teacher Register. 

If you are a teacher or specialist with experience providing literacy and numeracy support through evidence based programs and strategies, please complete a registration application.

COMPLETE REGISTRATION APPLICATION HERE

Once you have completed and submitted your registration application form, Speld Qld will contact you to arrange a time for an informal interview. Face to face is preferrable, though where distance is a barrier, the interview will be conducted via Zoom.

Specialist Teacher interviews are conducted in week 3 and week 9 during Queensland State School Terms.  

Speld Specialist Teacher Fees:

What does a Speld Specialist Teacher do?

A Speld Specialist Teacher or Tutor is a Specialist Teacher, other allied health professional (Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist) or educator with additional training in experience providing literacy and numeracy support through evidence-based programs and strategies. You will tutor students either 1:1 or in small groups, in your own business or with others.

There are several ways you can offer Specialist literacy and numeracy services to families and students.  

• Face to face in student's home
• Face to face in student's school
• Face to face in your office or home
• Online tuition via live video web conferencing

Note: Speld QLD does not directly employ Specialist Teachers/Tutors, nor is it involved in the financial arrangements between tutors and families. Our role is to match prospective students with registered tutors and then monitor the student's progress. You will organise your own business processes (financial and administration).

What are the prerequisites for a Speld Specialist Teacher?

The requirements for becoming a Speld Specialist Teacher or Tutor are in place to establish a minimum standard of professional experience and practice. Specialist teachers are expected to engage in lifelong learning and be involved in a continuous journey of professional reflection, improvement, and development.

• Current Qld Teacher Registration or equivalent relevant experience in specialist instruction as verified by Speld Qld.
• Current Blue Card or Blue Card Exemption (for registered teachers).

Information obtained at www.bluecard.qld.gov.au

• Minimum of two years practical experience supporting students with literacy and/or numeracy.
• Training in evidence-based program/s
• Can demonstrate understanding of and can implement third tier response to intervention (RTI) processes.
• Secondary Teachers need to have taught English and/or Maths at a secondary level.
•  Current Tax File Number (TFN) and Australian Business Number (ABN).

Teachers with less than two years experience may be considered. Their teaching experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Co-ordinator.

Modes of Tuition Delivery

There are several ways you can offer Specialist literacy and numeracy services to families and students.  

• Face to face in student's home
• Face to face in student's school
• Face to face in your classroom, office or home
• Online tuition via live video web conferencing

What does a Speld Specialist Teacher do?

Aside from changing lives, a Speld Specialist Teacher is a dedicated role model, mentor, advocate, head cheerleader, coach and expert professional teacher for the students you work with.  Speld Specialist Teachers provide only evidence-based instruction and do so in a compassionate way using contemporary teaching practices.

Expectations of Speld Specialist Teachers

Speld Specialist Teachers are expected to make themselves available to receive referrals. While there may be periods of time where a teacher is “fully booked”, registration as Speld Specialist Teacher does imply a willingness and capacity to be available for incoming requests for Specialist Teachers. Of course, if you’re doing a great job, your Speld referred students will stick around and that’s great. However, if you are fully booked with students from sources or referrals other than Speld Qld then your registration with Speld Qld should be reconsidered.

Being a Speld Specialist Teacher should not occur in name only.  Registration isn’t for private marketing or to add to your resume of credentials and should only be renewed if your intention is to receive referrals or continue working with Speld referred students during the membership year. Communication with Speld Qld is the best way to ensure that your availability or lack of availability is understood.

How does Speld Qld support you?

The Speld Qld team works alongside you as a peer and mentor, advocating for you as an expert specialist teacher. We support you by:

• Listing on the Speld Qld Specialist Teacher Registry, with unlimited variations to listed profile.
• Offering support and advice through our Education Advisors and CEO.
• Co-ordinating professional development and training opportunities for Speld Specialist Teachers.
• Advocating on behalf of Speld Specialist Teachers to raise their profile and recognition as specialists in their field.
• Promoting the Speld Specialist Teacher services to the Qld Community.
• Promoting the interests of Speld Qld in the Qld Community.
• Developing Policy and Procedural documents to facilitate the growth and development of the Speld Specialist Teacher service.
• Membership benefits including access to the library and workshops.

How to apply

If you are a teacher or specialist with experience providing literacy and numeracy support through evidence-based programs and strategies, please complete an application form.

1.  Submit an application form and forward any requested documents.

2.  Interview and Reference check

Following receipt of your application you may be invited to an interview with the        Co-ordinator, either face to face or video web conference. These currently occur twice per term. The referees of each applicant will then be contacted.

3.  Professional Learning

Following interview, if deemed suitable, applicants will be required to attend professional learning as directed by the Co-ordinator. This may include further training in evidence-based programs and/or Supporting Students with SLD.

4.  Payment of Speld Qld Specialist Teacher Membership

(paid annually from 1 February - 31 January).

Ongoing Requirements

• Compulsory attendance at a PD workshop in Term 1 or via recording

    (if travel distance is over 1 ½ hours from Woolloongabba).

•  Completion of 6 hours of certified relevant professional learning annually to remain on the register.
• Completion of Semester Progress Reports on each current Speld student.
• Compliance with any administrative questions or communication requirements requested by Speld Qld.

Further information and ongoing requirements can be found in the Specialist Teacher Handbook.