Graduates make switch to teaching in on-job training program

Champion Bay Senior High School has welcomed two new teachers-in-training from the Teach for Australia program. Renee Demeo and Leah Vlatko are the first from the program to move to Geraldton and begin their teaching careers. They join 34 other trainees across Western Australia who, over the next two years, will teach at an 80 per cent workload while studying coursework to complete a master’s degree in secondary teaching from the Australian Catholic University. Ms Demeo, a 23-year-old from Geelong who holds a Bachelor of Science and a Diploma in mathematics, has begun teaching mathematics to Year 11 students. She spent a year after graduating working as a teacher’s aide, and realised she wanted to teach. “This is a great opportunity because I get recognition for my past study, but I feel like we’re bringing unique experience into the classroom,” she said. “It’s different teaching mathematics, I find it challenging to see it from my students’ eyes, but it’s so rewarding when they understand.” Ms Vlatko, a 24-year-old from Coolgardie, graduated in Perth with a behavioural science degree. After working as an artist and volunteering in youth outreach for three years, she joined the program and is now teaching humanities. “I see teaching as an extension of what I’ve been doing the last few years, combining my experience from art and community service,” she said. “I joined the program because I’m passionate about empowering young people.” Principal Julie Campbell said this was the first year her school had taken on Teach for Australia associates and she was very excited to see what they would contribute to the school. “They bring enthusiasm and passion to their classes and will provide our students with a great opportunity to learn from experts in their field,” she said. Teach for Australia was founded in 2009 and has since produced almost 1000 teachers by targeting and enabling talented people to become teachers. The teachers-in-training completed 13 weeks of intensive training before their entry into schools. “In the first week I’ve already had some beautiful moments with my students — the more I share with them the more they share back,” Ms Vlatko said.