Future Teachers Fund
The School of Education continues to make a significant contribution to the community by providing quality learning and teaching for future generations. However, as Australia faces massive teacher shortages in schools across Australia there is a need to support the 50 hours of unpaid work placements required in the 4th year.
Jazz Rees, Teach in the Country Scholarship Recipient 2024
Jazz Rees was awarded the Teach in Country Scholarship for her semester 1 placement in 2024 and spent five-weeks living in Port Augusta, teaching English and history at the high school.
“Challenges of my placement included adjusting to being away from my loved ones in Adelaide, the long days involved with being active in a rural community and acclimatising to both living and working somewhere unfamiliar,” Jazz said.
“In my experience, the rewards of my rural placement greatly outweighed the challenges I faced. Some of the highlights included the wonderful friends I made within the community, exploring the area (and snorkelling with the Cuttlefish in Whyalla!), learning more about Aboriginal culture and education, the extracurriculars I was able to get involved with (Polly Farmer, basketball, school camps etc). It also provided me with the opportunity to experience life in rural South Australia for an extended period, solidifying my desire to begin my teaching career in the country.
“I have recently moved here long-term on Special Teaching Authority, to begin teaching full time in my final semester of university study. I couldn't recommend a rural placement enough, and highly suggest that anyone even slightly curious apply and give it a go.
I have recently moved here long-term on Special Teaching Authority, to begin teaching full time in my final semester of university study. I couldn't recommend a rural placement enough, and highly suggest that anyone even slightly curious apply and give it a go.Jazz
“However, I definitely wouldn't have undertaken a rural placement without scholarship support, as it would've been far too unaffordable to go so long without income and also pay for five weeks of accommodation and other living expenses," she said.
Shannon Upton was also awarded a Teach in the Country Scholarship in 2024, undertaking her placement at the Whyalla Secondary College.
“It was really rewarding working with year 7, year 9 and year 11 students across science, mathematics and mentoring. On site I was able to push the boundaries of placement more than I had in previous years,” Shannon said.
I was treated as a colleague before a student and given opportunities to plan, teach and make mistakes that I could learn from.Shannon
“Initially it was a big change being away from family, friends, sports clubs, and my regular routine. This I would say is the hardest challenge I faced whilst on placement. However, the beauty of moving out to the country is that you are moving out to communities where there are opportunities to find a place for yourself right from the get-go. Specifically, for Whyalla I was able to get involved in playing footy with Roopena Football Club and already have a cricket team lined up for summer. I have had several offers to go fishing, yachting, cooking, bowling, and trips to the cinema from community members in Whyalla. Luckily, I was offered a Special Authority to Teach (SAT) to stay and teach for the remainder of the school year and because of how welcoming Whyalla has been I accepted it."
We invite you to give to the Future Teachers Fund, to support student teachers in their final year placement – to assist with travel costs, accommodation, and financial hardship.