Five Teach For Australia ‘Associates’ will work at four NSW Catholic secondary schools across the Central West region next year, helping schools meet teaching workforce needs.
In a new partnership, Teach For Australia (TFA) has worked with the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst to recruit and match the aspiring teachers to positions at secondary schools in Dubbo, Wellington, Orange and Lithgow. The initiative is also supported by Catholic Schools NSW.
This will be the first time TFA Associates have worked in NSW schools, and the partnership stakeholders met at St John’s College in Dubbo today to celebrate the milestone.
Australia’s leading employment-study pathway into teaching, TFA’s two-year Leadership Development Program brings exceptional graduates and career changers to classrooms where they’re needed most in rural, regional and low socioeconomic communities.
Teach For Australia CEO Melodie Potts Rosevear said the education not-for-profit was delighted to continue its national growth in support of more students, school workforces and communities.
“At a time when schools across the nation are working hard to secure the workforce their students need, we welcome this opportunity to bring additional people to the profession in NSW, to work alongside the dedicated teachers and principals already serving students.
“Since 2010, TFA’s program has brought more than 1200 new teachers to the profession, worked with 300 schools in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory, and supported the education of 450,000 students. We’re delighted to extend our program expertise to support schools in NSW from 2023.”
The five TFA Associates are part of a national cohort that has already commenced coursework and school practicums. The cohort will begin teaching in Term 1, 2023, and will receive ongoing coaching and mentoring to accelerate professional development while finishing a Master of Teaching degree with Australian Catholic University.
Executive Director of Schools Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst, Mrs Christina Trimble stated “We are delighted to be in partnership with TFA to engage five TFA Associates in schools in Dubbo, Wellington, Orange and Lithgow.
“The commitment that TFA and these Associates have to regional areas is most welcome in assisting Catholic Education DIocese of Bathurst to continue to provide quality teachers to students living in rural areas. We appreciate the support of Catholic Schools NSW in facilitating this partnership”.
Teach For Australia’s work with NSW Catholic secondary schools is in addition to a bespoke pathway program recently announced by the NSW Government which will see up to 50 TFA Associates working at government schools from 2024.
“Teach For Australia’s work is grounded in the vision of education giving every child greater choice for their future – and we know helping more people enter the profession to be quality teachers is key for boosting student outcomes,” Ms Potts Rosevear said.
“TFA’s programs are recognised as ‘tried and tested’ and cost-effective pathways that bring high-performing, enthusiastic and dedicated teachers to classrooms and we know 84% of our Alumni continue to work in the education sector.”
People interested in applying for Teach For Australia’s programs should visit www.teachforaustralia.org for more information. Recruitment opens again early next year.
