Ninety-two passionate new teachers have been placed in 45 schools across Victoria, including Craigieburn, through Teach For Australia’s (TFA) flagship program.
TFA recruits and supports high-calibre individuals to become exceptional teachers and leaders.
The program fast tracks them from other careers or degrees into low socio-economic and remote, rural and regional areas, through an employment-based postgraduate pathway.
This year, TFA has placed 156 new teachers nationally, prioritising regional, remote and disadvantaged communities.
Kyla Bokelund is in her first year teaching psychology and sciences at Elevation Secondary College in Craigieburn.
Ms Bokelund said she was motivated to join TFA when she lived in rural Western Australia as a child and she quickly realised the disparities in education, especially as an Indigenous student.
“I realised, throughout my schooling and education, that students were not being treated equally and some must try a lot harder to get where they want to be in life,” she said.
“My firsthand experiences of facing barriers in education, including racism, lack of resources and low expectations, have equipped me with a unique understanding of the challenges that students, especially First Nations young people, may encounter.'”
With a background in psychology, Ms Bokelund brings a nuanced perspective to her teaching approach.
“My background in psychology provides me with valuable insights into cognitive, emotional and social development,” she said.
“Understanding the individual needs and learning styles of my students allows me to create inclusive and supportive learning environments where all students can thrive.”
TFA chief executive Melodie Potts Rosevear said the program is helping to address pervasive teacher shortages and retention issues in disadvantaged communities, where they are most acute.
“The innovative program provides an alternative, effective pathway into teaching, attracting talented individuals who may not have considered a career in education,” she said.
“They are also more likely to remain in the profession. In 2023, 86 per cent of the program’s alumni were still working in the education sector.
“This year’s cohort offers their students a wealth of expertise from a range of academic fields with a commitment to driving student outcomes.”
In its 15th year, TFA’s program offers a two-year postgraduate employment teaching pathway and has attracted 1600 individuals to teaching.
Details: teachforaustralia.org/leadership-development-program/
