Up to 40 La Trobe graduates this year and next year could be part of an exciting new graduate teaching program after the Uni has been selected by the Department for Education and Training to deliver part of the Federal Government’s High Achieving Teachers Program.
The $6.3 million NEXUS Program is an initiative to recruit local university graduates, including those with a strong commitment to regional communities, there will be two intakes of at least 40 participants each in Victoria in 2020 and 2021.
The aim of the program is to drive recruitment of excellent community-engaged teachers, focusing on placements in regional, rural and low socio-economic areas of Victoria.
La Trobe Professor Jo Lampert and Associate Professor Joanna Barbousas will also undertake research on the impact of program – designed as an alternative pathway to becoming a secondary school teacher.
La Trobe University’s Vice Chancellor, John Dewar, said he was thrilled the University would be playing such a vital role in the delivery the rural education workforce.
“At La Trobe we well understand the importance of superb teachers; they are the backbone of a strong and successful education program, and have a profound impact on the lives of children and communities,” Professor Dewar said.
“It is essential that students from all parts of Australia should have access to the best teachers, and we are proud to help train an education workforce for rural and regional communities.
“The incredible expertise of teacher training found at La Trobe’s School of Education puts us in the ideal position to deliver this innovative program.
“I am pleased that the University is part of this initiative, and hope it will make a positive difference to the lives of Australian students,” he said.