In response to the pressing national teaching workforce shortage, Teach for Australia is set to place aspiring teachers in NSW schools for the first time. These Teach For Australia ‘Associates’ will study while working at schools including Delany College, Granville.
Delany College Principal Shauna Nash is looking forward to welcoming two Teach for Australia Associates to the school community she leads at the beginning of the 2023 school year.
“Like many school leaders during the COVID-19 crisis, I have often found myself stepping into the classroom in response to the teacher shortage that is impacting nearly all Australian schools.
“This really is the big issue in education right now,” Shauna said. “New ways to bring dedicated and caring people to the teaching workforce are always welcome.
“I’m really passionate about the difference that aspiring teachers like these can make for children and young people in Western Sydney and beyond.”
Through partnerships with Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta and Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst, Teach For Australia (TFA) will recruit and match the aspiring teachers to positions at Catholic secondary schools in Western Sydney and Central Western NSW. The initiative is also supported by Catholic Schools NSW. Partnership stakeholders met at Delany College in Granville 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 all schools are working so hard to secure the workforce their students need, we’re glad for this opportunity to bring additional people to classrooms 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 schools in NSW from 2023.”
The 8 NSW Associates are part of TFA’s national cohort, and have 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.
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 can visit www.teachforaustralia.org for more information. Recruitment opens again in February 2023.
