Explores the beliefs and values that staff bring to Lutheran education, how Lutheran education is described, how Christian spirituality is experienced in Lutheran education, and the relationship between the Lutheran church and Lutheran education.
Connect
What is Connect?
Connect is an accreditation and formation program for new staff in Lutheran education, that explores the beliefs, spiritual life and practicalities of these in Lutheran education. It helps new staff inquire into ‘why we do what we do’ and how these beliefs are practised in Lutheran education.
Connect is equivalent to three days of professional learning. The Induction and Sessions 1, 2 and 3 are facilitated by locally-based Connect facilitators; Session 4 is facilitated by your Regional Office’s Connect Facilitator.
The Connect program is equivalent to three days of professional learning:
- Induction – minimum of 90 minutes
- Session 1 – minimum of 2 ½ hours
- Session 2 – minimum of 2 ½ hours
- Session 3 – minimum of 2 ½ hours
- Session 4 – minimum of 5 hours, including Session 4 work and ePortfolio reflection time.
Why Connect?
Connect provides an orientation to Lutheran education. It supports new staff to explore and reflect on their role in their Lutheran education community, and their contribution to the mission of their community. Staff complete Connect within the first 12 – 18 months of their employment in Lutheran education. Connect has been developed for new staff in Lutheran education, and as they work towards their LCA Accreditation as a teacher (At). This level of accreditation is awarded after attending all Connect sessions and the satisfactory completion of the Connect ePortfolio.
How can I start Connect?
Please discuss options to commence Connect with your principal, director or leader responsible for professional learning. You can also talk with your locally-based Connect facilitator, as this person has responsibility for Connect in your community.
Can I receive Recognition of Equivalent Learning (REL) towards Connect?
No. Connect is an induction to the beliefs, spiritual life and practicalities of these in Lutheran school and ECS contexts. A strength of the Connect program, is the opportunity for staff to discuss and explore examples and scenarios where Lutheran theology informs and is practised in their school, ECS or classroom context. Connect helps new staff understand ‘why we do what we do’ in Lutheran education.
An overview of Connect:
Explores grace as a central concept in Lutheran theology. Understanding the Christian belief about God’s undeserved love and forgiveness is fundamental to this theology and grounds the Lutheran education community in its purpose.
Explores the Lutheran understanding of creation theology. It emphasises that God is the creator of the universe and continues to preserve and care for it. Humans are understood as God’s special creation, made in the ‘image of God’ and given the role of stewardship and responsibility for creation. This theology informs the educational approach by recognising students as unique individuals with great worth.
Explores the concepts of community and vocation, and the centrality of relationships in Lutheran education. As caring and supporting communities, Lutheran education reflects God’s characteristics through core values like love, justice, compassion and service. The entire staff team has a role in the mission, purpose and identity of the Lutheran education community.
Explores how God’s Word forms and informs Lutheran education communities, and the role of the staff member in Lutheran education.
During each session of Connect, staff record their reflections and evidence of learning in an ePortfolio. At the conclusion of Connect, this ePortfolio is submitted to Lutheran Education Australia and assessed according to the rubric outcomes and ePortfolio guidelines.
After Connect has been completed and all outcomes satisfactorily met, staff may be eligible for tertiary credentialing towards a Graduate Certificate in Lutheran education through Australian Lutheran College.
Locally-based Connect facilitators:
For access to Connect Facilitator resources, please contact your Regional Office’s Connect Facilitator:
- Lutheran Education Queensland (LEQ) Facilitator
- Lutheran Education South Australia, Northern Territory & Western Australia (LESNW) Facilitator
- Lutheran Education Victoria, New South Wales & Tasmania (LEVNT) Facilitator
Connect ePortfolio submission page
During your Connect 4 session, the facilitator will provide you with a link to submit your completed ePortfolio. If you have not received this link, please contact your facilitator, and they will be able to assist you.