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Country teaching impresses USC students
Dozens of University of the Sunshine Coast Education students have participated in teaching experiences at isolated schools across Queensland this year thanks to a bursary program that supports workplace experience in rural and remote areas.
The Rural and Remote Education Bursary scheme, supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation (TFFF), awarded 43 bursaries of up to $2,500 to trainee teachers to cover travel and accommodation costs incurred during teaching placements.
The successful recipients were placed at many distant localities including Doomadgee, Charleville, Lockhart River and Mornington Island.
A ceremony at which certificates will be presented to bursary recipients will be held on Monday 21 November at USC’s Innovation Centre Auditorium from 10.15 -11.30am.
Special mention will be made at this event of USC’s Coast to Country program, which is also supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation.
USC’s Professional Workplace Learning Rural and Remote Co-ordinator Shirley Richards said the Coast to Country program had this year provided an experience for 33 trainee teachers with two tours of Queensland’s Western Downs schools and communities.
“Research indicates that fear of the unknown and finance are two of the biggest concerns facing trainee teachers as they consider their professional teaching experiences and future employment options,” she said.
“The Coast to Country program dispels some of the common myths that students may have about country life, so when they do go to a rural or remote location to do their practical or to teach, they walk in with a totally different mindset.”
Ms Richards said the Rural and Remote Education Bursary program and the Coast to Country initiative were helping to encourage USC graduates to pursue employment in isolated areas.
“In July this year, 100 percent of USC graduates who completed a placement in a rural or remote school were employed,” she said.
“And they attributed their interest in teaching in these localities to the opportunities provided during supervised placements while studying at USC.”
— Michelle Widdicombe