Project Details

Data from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) shows that rates of graduation for students studying Initial Teacher Education (ITE) degrees, is lower than for other degrees. Data also reveals that 5.7% of teachers are leaving the profession each year and, conservatively, 25% of new graduates do not remain in the profession for more than 4 years. Data from 2011 also suggests only 57% of teacher graduates or students in ITE intended to stay in their teaching career for five or more years. In a recent presentation, Alan Jones (ARD Metro) commented on the supply and demand issues the education sector is facing and stated that we need to start encouraging people to become teachers as soon as Year 10; when students are picking their senior subjects and career pathways. At the start of 2021, I proposed Future Teachers Club, for students interested in a career in education.

Actions

Developed and coordinated an extra-curricular Future Teachers Club aimed at engaging Y10-12 students in a career in education with the goal of introducing more capable, awesome students into a teaching career.

Collaborated with colleagues and leaders across the school to provide insights into teaching and allow students to have deep discussions with Beginning, Experienced and Highly Accomplished educators during lunch times.

Liaised with the Deputy Principal to begin to arrange for senior students to visit junior classes as teacher aides to begin developing key skills, including rapport building and collegial engagement.

Outcomes

In 2021, three Year 12 students who were part of Future Teachers Club chose Initial Teacher Education degrees as their first preference. All three are now studying education.

In 2021, four Year 10 members of Future Teachers Club chose subjects specifically aligned to becoming a primary or secondary teacher.

In 2022, planning is underway and club members will soon be visiting classrooms to assist and observe Forest Lake SHS teachers.