QuEST's training still available

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 123 No 3, 11 May 2020, page no. 27

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that all of QuEST’s face-to-face professional development programs are on hold due to social distancing requirements.  Participants have been advised all courses are postponed until it is safe to resume.

This is particularly unfortunate as Term 1 was a very successful one for QuEST, with 20 face-to-face professional development programs selling out.  In addition to these, QuEST delivered a range of consultancy programs in places such as Bamaga, Weipa, Longreach, Cairns and Cooktown.

However, while we may be “grounded” and unable to offer our very popular face-to-face programs, the QuEST team has been busy with our excellent live online programs.  

These online courses cover a diverse range of topics and are available for $50 per session. Alternatively, members can purchase a subscription for just $250.

The subscription gives members access to every live, interactive session as it occurs, as well as access to all of the 2020 session recordings.

Teachers in the catchments of the Emerald, Atherton and Mount Isa Centres for Learning and Wellbeing (CLAWs) are covered by a special group subscription that can be accessed at any time (please refer to your emails for advice on how to access live sessions and recordings).

During this COVID-19 pandemic, there is a pressing need for the emotional health of teachers to be prioritised and supported.

In order to meet member needs, Dr Julie Bower has developed a special program for QuEST called “Emotional Health in Uncertain Times”.  

This program is designed for small groups of up to five teachers and/or school leaders.  It will consist of two 1-hour facilitated online sessions across two consecutive weeks. 

The live sessions will be supported by readings, resources and short video segments as pre and post workshop activities, constituting a total of five hours of professional development.  

The program will examine current research and outline a range of strategies to support emotional regulation, resilience and self-care.  

The course leads to a toolkit of strategies for the emotional health and wellbeing of teachers during this challenging time.  Teachers will learn how to support colleagues and understand the crucial need to work together to create safe and supportive environments for teaching and learning.

This program can be delivered at a date and time that suits, to up to five participants from a school, for a special price of $995 inc GST.

The QuEST team will continue to work with our providers to develop quality professional development that meets the emerging needs of our members.

Thank you to the thousands of members that have accessed our courses over the past 12 months for your support, and we wish you all the best in these unprecedented times.

Rebecca Hack

Professional Development Officer