Teaching is a dynamic and challenging profession. Teachers have a professional obligation to develop and maintain professional relationships with a diverse range of learners, communicate with parents and whānau, act ethically, promote positive values and maintain and raise professional standards.

Professional development

Ongoing professional learning and development (PLD) is central to providing high quality teaching and learning. The Teaching Council has run workshops on the core standards for the teaching profession: the Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards for the Teaching Profession and the Guidelines for Induction and Mentoring and Mentor Teachers.

As a teacher you will also need to become familiar with Tātaiako: Cultural Competencies for Teachers of Māori Learners.  Teachers in Māori medium settings will find the following research and resouces useful.

More recently, we introduced new guidelines and resources to help teachers develop their skills and knowledge around the ethical use of social media and we're in the process of implementing the Appraisal of Teachers project. 

Research

The Teaching Council supports best practice teaching by conducting world class research that informs our professional learning and development programmes. Read more about our research projects

Conduct and competence

We uphold the status of the teaching profession by setting and maintaining standards, including the Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards for the Teaching Profession. There is a robust process for managing the very small number of teachers that fail to meet these standards. Read more about conduct and competence

Physical restraint and behaviour management guide

Changes in the Education and Training Act 2020 directly impact you as a teacher. Read a brief overview of the changes to when a teacher can use physical restraint.