Training and Support for Teaching
We bring together the best in intensive and ongoing teacher training to ensure that our Associates are well prepared and supported to achieve outstanding results in the classroom and become excellent teachers over the two-year program.
Melbourne Graduate School of Education
Training and support for our Associates is delivered in partnership with the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Australia's top school of education. It pioneers a research-informed, clinical approach to teacher education, offering Associates the opportunity to learn from the best.
Through a series of intensive, residential education periods over the two-years, ongoing self-paced study, rigorous assessment and extensive practical application in the classroom, Associates earn a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching. Full program costs for the Diploma are covered for Teach For Australia Associates. After successful completion of the program, our Alumni have the opportunity to extend their studies to gain a Master of Teaching.
The Initial Intensive
The Initial Intensive training runs for six weeks at the very start of the program. An intense residential program at The University of Melbourne's Graduate School of Education, the Intensive covers one third of Associates' total coursework. It comprises lectures, practical workshops, group and individual assessments, social and team-building activities. Furthermore, Associates will have a chance to visit "Portal Schools" to experience active classrooms and to meet the Principals and mentors at their placement schools.
The focus of the Initial Intensive is to develop the skills, knowledge, plans and relationships to both best prepare you for the classroom on day one and to begin your engagement in the coursework that will follow over the two years. You will be amazed at how much you will learn and develop in this relatively short space of time, as well as the close relationships that you will form with like-minded individuals.
For the 2011 cohort, the Initial Intensive Academic Program part 1 is from Saturday 27 November to Wednesday 22 December 2010. There is a Teach For Australia orientation on Sunday 28 November 2010.
The Academic Program part 2 is from Monday 3 to Tuesday 18 January 2011.
Associates beginning in their school placements at the end of January.
Shorter mid-year and end-of-year intensives run over the two years, bringing the cohort of Associates back together to share experiences, receive further education and reinforce the impact and support of the network.
Mentoring
We place Associates into schools that are committed to supporting and developing them through intensive mentoring. Placement schools provide 'Mentors', experienced teachers with the experience, skills and capacity to support Associates on a day-to-day basis in the school environment. Additionally, Teach For Australia's full-time Educational Advisors visit Associates regularly to provide coaching, feedback and on-going training to help them achieve outstanding results with their students.
"My mentor has been amazing; helping me with everything from curriculum information, lesson planning and getting resources to telling me the ins and outs of the staff room!" - Michael Currie, Associate 2010
