Five of Queensland University of Technology's (QUT) newest education graduates are putting their teaching skills to work at Morayfield East State School.
Danielle Ollington, Kylie Cooke, Alex Price, Kylie Payne and Amanda Himmighofer all completed their Bachelor of Education degrees at QUT's Caboolture campus last year and have secured jobs at the same school.
QUT Caboolture academic co-ordinator Suzanne Hudson said it was a great achievement for one school to select so many graduates from the one university.
"Our students are in huge demand and it's great to see so many of our graduates actively employed in our local community," she said.
"Over the past few years the majority of our graduates have secured permanent or long-term contract teaching positions. Some have gone out west, while others are in local schools."
For Alex Price studying at QUT Caboolture opened doors to getting his first teaching job.
"I think a major factor in receiving my job was that we had an exclusive graduate showcase at the end of 2010 at QUT Caboolture campus where we were able to demonstrate our expertise to visiting principals," he said.
"The excellent school partnerships and integrated school-based experiences offered by the Faculty of Education at QUT Caboolture campus probably played a major role in attaining a teaching position."
Mr Price, who teaches Year 6 at Morayfield East, said for most students studying at QUT Caboolture campus, it was a lifestyle choice.
"The benefits on top of travel time also included a much more inclusive community feeling within the university, particularly due to the smaller class sizes, regular social events and the fact that the librarians know everyone's name," he said.
Kylie Payne, who teaches Year 5 at Morayfield East, said having had amazing teachers in the past pushed her to want to become a teacher herself.
"I truly believe that these positive role models were at the heart of my inspiration to pursue a career as a teacher," she said.
"I wanted to have a rewarding career where my work would be valued and I would be making a difference.
"Through being a teacher I can positively impact upon the lives of children, as I believe that the children of today are the leaders of the future.
"I aim to inspire my students to pursue success in the same fashion that my past teachers inspired me."
Media contacts:
Sandra Hutchinson, QUT media officer (Tue/Wed), 07 3138 2999 s3.hutchinson@qut.edu.au
Ian Eckersley, QUT media manager, 07 3138 2361 or ian.eckersley@qut.edu.au
**An excellent high resolution photo of the teachers with students is available for media use
