Teach For Australia Associates are proving to make invaluable additions to their schools’ existing teacher teams.
But it’s not just about the quality of our candidates going into the program; the underlying pedagogical and leadership development on which our program is built ensures that our Associates are adequately equipped to have the impact in the classroom that you’ll be looking for.
Two years of intense, rigorous, world class training
To ensure our Associates are ready for the classroom on day one, they’ll begin their two-year journey with an intensive six-week in-residence program, delivered by the University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education (MGSE), in partnership with Teach For Australia.
I have observed their training first hand. It is a long, intense, challenging two years delivered with rigour, substantial on-going support, and incorporating best practises in teacher education.
John Inverarity, Warden St. George’s College, The University of Western Australia
Throughout the two-year program, Teach For Australia Associates study towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (TFA), through a combination of intense on-campus blocks of study, regular face-to-face support from University Clinical Specialists, and through self-paced study. Their teaching load is reduced to 80 per cent over the two years to allow time for on-going study and development.
Creating leaders in the classroom
Through their teaching, our Associates are already building on their capacity as leaders. In a more formal sense, we support their leadership development with additional on-going training, mentoring and extensive practice. Teach For Australia's Training and Leadership Advisers work closely with the Associate to ensure that they master the foundations of leadership.
Teacher education at MGSE
The Melbourne Graduate School of Education’s approach to teacher education is a significant shift away from traditional programs. Their clinical model closely links theory with practice, and prepares Associates to tailor their teaching to meet individual student needs.
In-school Mentors are trained by the Graduate School to guide Associates’ development as teachers, and MGSE Clinical Specialists are on hand to provide on-going expert support for both the Mentor and the Associate.
