Young teachers from the country continue to play a crucial role in local communities by returning to regional areas after graduating, with hundreds coming from Charles Sturt University and starting across the state in 2021.
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More than 700 budding teachers graduated from CSU's School of Education or School of Teacher Education last year, with a huge percentage of them beginning their careers in regional, rural or remote areas as school years kicked off recently.
Associate Professor David Smith, CSU's Head of the School of Education, said the university's courses are tailored to deliver graduate teachers who can meet the needs and demands of regional schools.
We have set a very high expectation of our students and that is reflected in the demand for our graduates.
- CSU Head of the School of Education, Associate Professor David Smith
Professor Smith, who is also a member of the Rural and Regional Education Advisory Group, said that's particularly true in regards to specialist subject areas like science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"The University's education schools are focused on attracting people to the teaching profession by delivering courses that are flexible, progressive, and relevant to what the regional teaching sector needs," he said.
"Charles Sturt University is in an important position to help build the teaching population in regional NSW ... we also give students that have never been in a regional setting an opportunity to experience the sense of community support for teachers in a smaller centre."
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Teachers having the right tools, skills and insight to thrive in regional settings comes, partly, from CSU's courses being educated by research, the university is also one of few across the country which offers Bachelor of Education (K-12) and Bachelor of Education (Technology and Applied Studies) programs.
CSU graduate teachers continue to enjoy the highest level of full-time employment across the state too, with 87 per cent landing employment within four months of graduating.
"We have set a very high expectation of our students and that is reflected in the demand for our graduates," Professor Smith said.
"Graduates of the K-12 program have the qualifications to teach at primary or secondary schools, making them more responsive to fit the demands of regional communities.
"The Technology and Applied Studies program provides a pathway for people with TAFE qualifications to transition to a school setting, as it recognises their prior experience and learning."
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