Bright teaching prospects bandy in Bundy
Published on 03 May, 2012
Bundaberg has produced two out of the four CQUniversity education students who were among 21 applicants selected throughout Queensland for a Department of Education and Training 'Teacher Education Centre of Excellence' experience.
Final-year Bachelor of Learning Management students Di Barrett and Kylie Barrand were among those pre-service teachers selected as part of a Statewide competitive application and interview process.
They had the chance to swap notes recently during a visit to Bundaberg Campus, which is also the home base for Education Dean Professor Helen Huntly.
Ms Barrand says the extra focus and direction provided by the Centre has helped her find the areas she needs to work on to 'round out' her education.
"The extra days at school over and above my normal prac placements are allowing me to have many more valuable experiences, setting me up to feel more comfortable and competent when I step into my own classroom," she says. "I got so much out of summer school and I am looking forward to winter school in June."
The Morayfield Cluster Teacher Education Centre of Excellence* is working alongside the CQUniversity students to place them with a trained mentor teacher who will support them throughout their time with the centre. Access to extended classroom experiences will help the students hone their teaching expertise.
Morayfield Cluster Head of Mentoring Kerri Holzwart says the program participants will be prioritised for employment with Education Queensland schools and may receive early offers of employment.
The program provides an extended employment induction process and continues into the students' first years as working teachers, to ensure additional mentoring.
The CQUniversity participants are able to attend special professional development programs at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane. They will also engage with Morayfield Cluster online, to help them specialise in 'literacy and numeracy in low SES settings'.
"Participants can access extra professional resources at Education Queensland even before they become teachers," Ms Holzwart said.
* MTECE is one of five Queensland Centres of Excellence established as part of the Improving Teacher Quality National Partnership. The purpose of this Department of Education and Training initiative is to develop a new generation of highly skilled teachers and in turn enhance outcomes for students. The centre is partners with schools throughout Queensland, with a focus on schools in low SES settings.