Enhanced teacher preparation

We are supporting students to excel in serving diverse communities in Melbourne, regional and rural Victoria, nationally and internationally.

Our students benefit from supportive cohort-style placements, augmented by mentoring and peer support. Our model encourages students and experienced teachers to build knowledge together.

Our programs include:

Access Quality Teaching Initiative

Our Access Quality Teaching Initiative offers high performing students the opportunity to work with rural and diverse communities through and enriched placement experiences and course work during the final two years of their undergraduate degree.

The program, supported by the Victorian Department of Education, is designed to boost teacher preparation for work in schools that serve diverse communities.

It also offers schools the opportunity to work with high performing future teachers.

Participants – recruited at the beginning of their third year of our Bachelor of Education degree– are given access to additional training in trauma informed teaching, classroom management, and the science of language and reading.

Additional mentoring from La Trobe academic staff is provided, including drop-in sessions, site visits and reflective circles.

“The Access Quality Teaching Initiative is a unique program that focuses on placing pre-service teachers in regional and diverse primary and secondary schools,” says Director of Professional Practice, Dr Steve Murphy.

Early Childhood Professional Practice Partnerships

We are partnering with a number of early years management groups across the Bendigo and Shepparton regions in the Early Childhood Professional Practice Partnerships program. The program supports pre-service teachers completing placement in the Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education. As part of the program, mentor teachers are provided with professional learning opportunities.

The program, initiated by the Victorian Department of Education, is designed to promote Early Childhood careers for students with dual qualifications (Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education), and support employment in these settings in central Victoria.

A key aspect of the program is increased support for Early Childhood services to provide effective placements for pre-service Early Childhood students. This improvement in initial Early Childhood teacher education strengthens partnerships among pre-service education providers, Early Childhood service providers and students.

In promoting Early Childhood careers to students, participants are given additional support in preparing for placement. Teachers are provided with mentoring and professional development to support pre-service teacher placements that focus on pedagogical expertise, professional practice, social justice, culturally responsive teaching and a deeper understanding of local issues through critically reflective practice.

The ECP3 project began in late 2019 and has expanded in subsequent years.

Greater Shepparton Teaching Academy of Professional Practice

La Trobe is partnering with The University of Melbourne and schools in the Greater Shepparton area to give our final year students placement experiences that enhance their skills in inclusive education.

The program, supported by the Victorian Department of Education and Training, is designed to boost teacher preparation for work in schools serving culturally diverse communities.

It also offers schools the opportunity to work with high performing future teachers.

Participants – from our Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching degrees – are given additional support including coaching in inclusive education, and a comprehensive induction to the school where they will complete their placement.

Additional mentoring from La Trobe academic staff is provided, including school visits. Students also benefit from a Community Connections Program, where pre-service Teachers are supported to engage with the wider school community.

Future teachers also have an opportunity to engage in a Practicum Exchange Program, working with another placement student to experience education in an additional education setting.

“The Greater Shepparton Teaching Academy of Professional Practice is the first of its kind for La Trobe,” says Director of Professional Practice, Dr Steve Murphy.

“Both La Trobe University and The University of Melbourne have strong involvement in the Greater Shepparton area, and the combined knowledge and skills promises to give pre-service teachers highly valuable placement experiences.”

Find out more about our study options and courses.