Graduated: Deakin teaching course students.
By Cherie Donnellan
A NEW training program is putting interstate student teachers in classrooms after six weeks of training in Geelong, according to a coordinator.
Deakin University Associate Head of School teaching and learning Damian Blake said Teach Next participants were “career professionals” with expertise in areas of teacher skills shortages, such as mathematics, science and technology.
The program allowed successful applicants from Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory to return and begin teaching after just six weeks of “intensive training” at Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus, Mr Blake said.
“Because they have a bit more responsibility than the average student teacher we put them through a fairly rigorous application process.”
Mr Blake said the overall course still ran for two years, with several intensive sessions and online learning support.
“While they’re here in Geelong they’ll have placements at Belmont High School and Northern Bay Secondary College.”
Deakin is the first university to host the Federal Government initiative.
