02 October 2024
A novel teaching initiative that secures an applicant both a job and a university place is set to boost teacher numbers in ‘hard-to-staff’ schools across South Australia, with expressions of interest open today.
Developed by the University of South Australia in partnership with the South Australian Department for Education, the new Teaching Futures Pathway presents an employment-based avenue for people to enter the teaching profession.
An iteration of the Federal Government’s High Achieving Teachers Program, the new Teaching Futures Pathway is designed for people looking to change careers (those who have already completed an undergraduate degree), as well as First Nations people and people from rural and regional South Australia.
Successful applicants (‘Associates’) will be awarded a part-time support role in a school (that will progress to a full time teaching role) while they undertake their postgraduate teaching studies at a South Australian university; support, guidance, practical teaching experience, and additional professional development from experienced teachers within their host school for the duration; and importantly a $16,000 scholarship to supplement their salary as they study.
Host schools for 2025 will be in Salisbury and Playford, extending to regional schools in 2026.
UniSA’s Professor Simon Leonard says the Teaching Futures Pathway aims to create a long-standing community-based teacher workforce, and a seamless connection between initial teacher education and induction into schools.
“There’s no doubt that South Australia is struggling with a teacher workforce shortage. Teaching numbers have been falling for more than a decade, and compared to many other states, we are missing the career changers moving into teaching,” Prof Leonard says.
“Don’t get me wrong – we love that younger generations are studying teaching, and we need that youth and vitality across the sector – but we know we are missing a lot of great teachers who find the qualifications pathway a barrier. So, we have an imbalance between the inflow and outflow of teachers.”
The Teaching Futures Pathway aims to address this from multiple angles.
“First, we hope to appeal to people looking to change careers to teaching – these people would ideally live in and around Adelaide’s northern suburbs, so that they have an affinity and desire to stay and work in the area, which helps combat teacher attrition,” Prof Leonard says. “And in future years we will expand the program to other parts of the state.
“By providing an employment opportunity within a host school, initially in a support role and later as a teacher, Associates can gain paid, hands-on experience in student wellbeing and classroom activities, supported and mentored by experienced, high-achieving teachers. This builds proficient, job-ready teachers who feel supported and connected to their job and school.
“Associates will progress to a special authority to teach their second year, and full teacher registration by the end of their degree. So, they’re actively teaching as they study and will graduate as future leaders of the teaching profession.
“Plus, they receive a scholarship in their first year to help them really commit to the teaching profession and their studies without a huge gap in salary.”
Prof Leonard says partnership is a key success factor for the program.
“Collaboration, support and partnership with host schools in Adelaide’s northern suburbs and regional areas is vital for the success of the new Teaching Futures Pathway,” Prof Leonard says.
“When teachers feel supported, genuinely heard, respected, and importantly, able to contribute to their school environment, they’re far more likely to continue their employment.
“The Teaching Futures Pathway is a true partnership through which every party is positioned for success: schools retain qualified, dedicated, and positive teachers who are committed to student success in their area, and Associates are employed while they study, have a scholarship to boost their income, and a new rewarding teaching career.
“It really is a win-win.”
Expressions of interest for the new Teaching Futures Pathway can be lodged here: https://efa.unisa.edu.au/teaching-futures-pathway
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Contact for interview: Prof Simon Leonard M: +61 491 712 221 E: Simon.Leonard@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au
