Federation’s $4000 Future Teacher Scholarships enrich recipients beyond financial support, awardees embarking on their teaching careers in 2020 can attest.
Their interactions with Federation have extended their knowledge of their profession’s union and the public education system, standing them in good stead for their working lives.
“My experience with Federation has given me a greater awareness of the values of public education, including equality for all learners,” said Kristen Pollock who will begin teaching at Beecroft Public School this year.
Kirsten said it was important for teachers to join Federation as it is a focal point for teachers to collaborate to ensure their working rights are protected.
She was a 2019 scholarship recipient while studying for a Bachelor of Arts and Psychology with the degree of Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Macquarie University. She has saved her scholarship money for the purchase of resources during her first year of teaching.
Jack Carroll said being awarded a scholarship in 2019 led him to think about how Federation members work together to help others, enthusing him to become more involved in the union. “There’s strength in unity, so we need to support each other,” he said.
Jack has just finished a Master of Teaching (Secondary) at the University of Technology Sydney. He said he used his scholarship funds to cover his costs of living while on prac, for six weeks at a time.
Federation provides a network for members of the teaching profession, said 2018 scholarship recipient Amalina Abu Bakar.
“I plan to get involved in any way I can, while an early career teacher,” Amalina said, showing an interest in some of the union’s special interest groups.
Amalina’s scholarship funds were used to buy textbooks while studying for a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at Macquarie University and to undertake a community engagement course, which involved travelling to rural and remote schools.
Kirsten, Jack and Amalina attended Federation’s Future Teacher Conference in December, designed for student members about to enter the teaching workforce.
Federation is offering 15 Future Teacher Scholarships in 2020, with a value of $4000 each, across the following categories:
- future teachers (open to all applicants)
- future teachers who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- future teachers from a rural or remote area (significant distance from the nearest tertiary institution)
- future teachers in their first year of a teacher education program
- future teachers from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background.
Applications close on 24 April at 4pm. Click here for more details.
Kerri Carr is a staff writer