Associate profiles
Meet some of the Associates who've commenced in 2010.
Ben Christensen
Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Technology (Aerospace)
Monash University, Melbourne
"School is like a filter that everyone passes through. For better or for worse, our society is a direct reflection of the outcomes that education accomplishes. I applied to Teach For Australia so that I could make a difference, I'm passionate about the power that education has on transforming our society for the better.
With an engineering background, I hope to inspire and engage some of society's most disadvantaged youth to undertake careers in scientific fields. Undoubtedly, this will be an enormous challenge and it is for this reason I believe the personal development opportunities the program offers over the next two years will be unrivalled.
The program is truly unique and I recommend anyone passionate about change and looking for a less traditional career path to apply."
Holly Stewart
Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Media & Communication
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
"For me, Teach For Australia is about helping where help is needed. My placement school is in regional Victoria. I'm really excited about the 'tree change' and the chance to really make a positive impact on my community. I want to offer the educational opportunities I have had to my students.
Right now, we are in the middle of the Initial Intensive and it really is just that - intense. We have amazing support from both Teach for Australia and the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. While it is exhausting, I truly feel like I will make an impact on my students from day one
I would recommend Teach for Australia as a fantastic opportunity for anyone who has the drive to effect positive social change and learn a whole lot themselves while doing it."
Iwan Walters
Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours)
University of Melbourne, Melbourne
"I entered the Teach for Australia program because I want to work in a professional capacity with young people and contribute to improving educational outcomes in rural and remote Australia.
Being in the inaugural cohort is an exciting opportunity! Working alongside expert educators and assisting children in making the most of their own ability is an extraordinary opportunity. I am teaching in rural Victoria where, often because of geography, students are denied the educational and co-curricular opportunities that might be available to their urban counterparts. I hope my involvement with Teach for Australia assists in bridging this gap.
I urge anybody with a desire to ensure all Australian students have access to 'exceptional' education and a desire to achieve great things, consider the Teach For Australia program."
Szuen Lim
Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
University of Melbourne, Melbourne 
"I believe that every child has the ability to learn and that education opens a world of opportunities. I hope that my time in the classroom will allow me to channel my knowledge, skills and passion towards the goal of engaging, inspiring and empowering my students.
My experience at Teach For Australia so far is unlike any that I've ever had. Every day, I question my beliefs and assumptions, reflect on my personal experiences, draw on my technical knowledge, and think about my goals and responsibility to each one of my students. I already treasure all the new friendships formed with my cohort and I know that once I hit the classroom, their support will be of real and ongoing assistance.
I have a very clear vision of where I want to take my students. I do not know if my strategies will work each time, but what I do know is that I am committed to re-evaluating, modifying and changing them until I achieve my goal. I am inspired to become the best teacher I can be."
Justin Woolley
Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering
RMIT University, Melbourne
"I graduated from University in 2007 and prior to joining Teach for Australia was working as an engineer. While studying I was involved in educating Year 9 and 10 students about space science. This gave me an insight into just how rewarding education can be.
As an engineer I am passionate about science and technology and am well aware of the skill shortages in these fields in Australia. By participating in the Teach for Australia program I hope to inspire students, who may not have considered it, to continue studying maths and science.
For me, Teach for Australia is an amazing opportunity to contribute to the community and help students from disadvantaged backgrounds reach anywhere they want to go in society."
Lauren Hill
Bachelor of Professional Communications
RMIT University, Melbourne
"It's a daunting prospect when you realise the career path you had chosen is not the one for you. Luckily for me, this realisation came early in my post-university life - only months out of my degree did I emerge from my corporate cubicle knowing that teaching was where my heart (and head) belonged.
I'll admit, I applied for the program with a healthy amount of scepticism. After all, this program is promising big things, expecting big things. But every stage of the recruitment process empowered me more, allowed me to believe that I really could make a difference in education - like every teacher does.
This empowerment has only grown. Words cannot describe the energy derived from 45 empathetic and passionate peers. The support structures for the Associates are incredible, unlike anything you could expect as a first-year teacher graduate. So today, with five weeks of intensive behind me and with one week until I am officially 'Miss. Hill', I can safely say that this experience has been the most challenging and rewarding I have ever undertaken.
And it's just the beginning."
Michael Cao
Bachelor of Applied Finance & Bachelor of Commerce
(Accounting)
Macquarie University, Sydney
"In my third year at University
I had an amazing opportunity to study in Denmark on exchange. Upon
returning, I became heavily involved in extracurricular activities.
This included student mentoring, leadership programs, student
representation, leading clubs and societies and helping towards
starting a few too. My passion for community involvement, youth
leadership and entrepreneurship continued after university through
the start-up of a few businesses and a not-for-profit
organisation.
Teach for Australia came as the perfect opportunity to be a part
of something challenging and exciting but driven by a strong
community commitment and social ethos. I wanted to pursue a
professional career but also wanted to work in something
purposeful. This program was the ideal combination of the two,
offering unparalleled support, a Postgraduate Diploma and
importantly the opportunity to work alongside some of the most
amazing people you'll ever meet."
