A new program is making it easier for teachers in the New England region to follow their interests and upgrade their skills.
Through a University of New England (UNE) professional development initiative, teachers now have the opportunity to access the full range of postgraduate education courses at a reduced cost in partnership with the region’s schools, and potentially at no cost to teachers.
“We’re really passionate about supporting teachers in our region,” Professor Sue Gregory, UNE Head of School of Education said.
“We want our teachers to be able to continue their learning journey once they’ve graduated but know cost can be an issue.”
The UNE School of Education has worked with the university’s marketing team to design the Regional Educator Development Scholarships initiative, which means UNE matches the dollar amount contributed by the school for teachers to enrol in postgraduate education studies or a conversion course to move into teaching a different subject area.
“We have some really fantastic postgraduate courses to grow teachers professionally, offered in a flexible way to help teachers fit study into their workload and lives. We hope this extra incentive for schools and teachers will make it that much easier to access these learning opportunities,” Professor Gregory said.
Teachers can enrol in a master’s or graduate certificate level education course, or even Australia’s only blended postgraduate courses in neuroscience and education, up to a master’s level, which includes six units in neuroscience.
“The Master of Neuroscience and Education is a fantastic course for discovering which parts of the brain are involved in various learning activities, which can help educators determine the best ways to teach different subjects to different students,” she said.
For schools that sign up for the program, UNE can reduce the course costs by 50 per cent. Schools can agree to match the 50 per cent fee reduction, making it free for teachers to complete a course.
Calrossy Anglican School in Tamworth was the first to sign up to the initiative, with three teachers enrolling in a master’s qualification.
“I was a very enthusiastic proponent of the scholarship initiative,” said Calrossy Principal, David Smith.
“One of our strategic priorities is growing our staff, and we feel UNE listens to the needs of educators, and they’re committed to rural and regional students and teachers.”
Mr Smith says it’s one way an ongoing and evolving partnership with with UNE is helping increase the capacity of teachers to do their jobs well.
“When teachers are learners too, it helps them as they help the students, and this initiative is a great way for our teachers to be professionally stimulated, through flexible online learning. There’s good support for teachers through the university, and we’re supporting our teachers to take up the learning opportunities too.”
Jessica Clark, a Head of Department at Calrossy, is currently enrolled in the Master of Neuroscience and Education, and while only at the beginning of the course, she says it has already proved valuable.
“The first unit has helped me reflect deeply on my own pedagogical practices, what it means to ‘teach’, how to make content engaging, the impact this then has on learning; both in the retainment of information and perceived value,” she said.
“Additionally, it has helped me consider the importance of assessment, the link between assessment and content, how to adequately prepare students for this and the value of quality feedback.”
Ms Clark says she’s appreciated the support from her school and UNE to undertake further learning.
“It’s provided me with an opportunity to continue to extend myself to, hopefully, better meet the changing needs of both my own children and students.
“There is always more to learn, and, while a master’s is not for the faint-hearted, this and other learning opportunities throughout my career have allowed me to experiment, adapt and refine my pedagogical practices.”
Any school in the New England North West region interested in accessing reduced cost postgraduate courses for their teachers through the Regional Educator Development Scholarships initiative can contact program manager Trent Donaldson on tdonald7@une.edu.au.
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