Practice Leader Support Role
A practice leader is an RTLB who has additional delegated leadership responsibilities within a team, cluster. As a practising RTLB, a practice leader must be a New Zealand fully-registered teacher, kaiako with a current practising certificate.
Responsibilities
A practice leader is responsible for leadership, guidance and support of RTLB in their professional practice, under the direction of the cluster manager. A practice leader supports the decisions of the lead school and the RTLB strategic leadership and management team (principal and cluster manager). Practice leaders work closely with their cluster manager and support them in their day-to-day management of the cluster.
Practice leaders have a role in leading and supervising quality practice.
This includes:
- ensuring RTLB practice follows He Pikorua in Action and preserves the intent of the RTLB Professional Practice Toolkit
- in collaboration with the cluster manager, ensuring RTLB have the necessary resources to carry out their work
- supporting reflective practice processes in the team; developing and maintaining communities of practice or project work that aligns with cluster strategic goals
- fostering a commitment to evidence-based practice and service provision
- ensuring RTLB deliver a culturally appropriate and responsive service by supporting culturally competent practice through, for example Tātaiako and Tapasā
- in collaboration with the cluster manager, ensuring RTLB receive professional learning and development that supports RTLB appraisal goals and that aligns with the cluster strategic plan
- supporting the cluster manager in leading RTLB professional development and performance appraisal processes
- providing professional support to RTLB including mentoring and coaching as necessary
- providing performance supervision of RTLB
- facilitating induction for RTLB new to the team
- supporting RTLB in training to attain the RTLB qualification within the specified time, and providing mentoring or supervision during the training period.
Practice leaders have a role in strengthening professional relationships by:
- supporting the lead school’s governance and management policies
- providing open and reciprocal communication within the RTLB team and cluster schools, kura, and Kāhui Ako
- developing effective, professional and trusting relationships within the RTLB team
- ensuring all RTLB provide consistent information on the RTLB service and the Ministry’s Learning Support service to cluster schools, kura, Kāhui Ako, communities, parents, whānau, and agencies.
Practice leaders provide the cluster manager with regular data on service outputs and outcomes to meet Ministry reporting requirements.