The NSW School Education team has been awarded the 2024 Vice-Chancellor's Staff Excellence Award for Collaborative Engagement for their work to build and lead Australia's largest pre-service teacher hub system.
The team is comprised of Dr Chrissy Monteleone, Dr Therese Barrington, Dr Michelle Gorzanelli, Karen McDaid, Dr Rebecca Pagano, Dr Carmel Patterson, Jamie Sherson, Dr Joanne Quick and Dr Matthew White.
Dr Monteleone said receiving the Vice-Chancellor's Staff Excellence Award reaffirmed the commitment and passion that drove the team's efforts.
"We believe the project has been recognised not only for its positive impact on the profession but also because it aligns strongly with the university's mission and vision," Dr Monteleone said.
"By investing time in building meaningful relationships with schools and education systems, we have ensured that ACU's reputation for commitment, excellence, and support remains at the forefront."
The hub system has fostered collaborative engagement with four higher education institutions, 11 Catholic Dioceses, the NSW Department of Education, and independent sectors, to co-design placements for more than 1500 pre-service teachers annually. The hub system also mentors almost 600 in-service teachers each year, fostering workforce development in rural, remote and special education settings.
Key achievements that have emerged from the hub system since it was developed in 2015 include immersive teaching experiences, tailored mentoring, system-aligned scholarships, and research impacting practice and policy. This model strengthens ACU's leadership in educational excellence, enriching diverse learning opportunities and advocating for the teaching profession.
Dr Barrington explained that the project has provided pre-service teachers with quality placements that offer unique, diverse experiences across NSW.
"For instance, the partnership with Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese enables students to engage in rural and remote placements, complete with housing, travel, and financial support," Dr Barrington said.
The pre-service teacher hub system has supported ACU's goal of shaping ethical leaders and thriving communities, demonstrating measurable outcomes that align with ACU's mission to foster a more just and compassionate society through education and community engagement.
Dr Monteleone said the project highlighted the importance of aligning efforts with ACU's mission and vision as it fostered a sense of shared purpose among educators.
"The hub model not only enhances learning for pre-service teachers but also strengthens our partnerships with schools, allowing us to co-research and co-present with our school partners, as shown at the 2023 Australian Teacher Education Association Conference," Dr Monteleone said.
"These collaborations promote a community of practice and position ACU as a proactive and committed partner in the professional growth of future teachers."
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