• PHOTO: Student Learning & Support Officer and trainee teacher Jay Ewers says her Future Teacher scholarship will help her achieve her degree.
Future Coonamble High School Industrial Technology teacher Jay Ewers, has been awarded a NSW Teacher’s Federation Future Teacher Scholarship, one of only 14 future teacher applicants within NSW.
Jay met the scholarship criteria as she teaches within a rural/remote area and successfully demonstrated her understanding and commitment to both the public education system and the NSW Teachers Federation.
Successful applicants of the scholarship are awarded a $4000 subsidy and full recognition for being a part of the NSW Teachers Federation.
Jay is about to undergo four months of unpaid university practical components at three different schools.
“I applied for the scholarship and hoped if I received it I could use it as a wage replacement whilst undergoing my university pracs”, she said.
“The scholarship will help me pay for accommodation, food and other necessities that I will need when I complete my four months of teaching prac.”
Jay found her passion for teaching by working at the Coonamble High School as a Student Learning Support Officer (SLSO).
“I really enjoy working with children and assisting them with hands on activities, which is why I started an Industrial Technology Degree, which allows me to tap into all of my passions,” she said.
Jay commends the Coonamble teaching community in regard to the continuous issues surrounding lack of teaching staff, wage struggles and inadequate working conditions.
“The Coonamble High school staff continue to give 110% for their students, there is so much extra work and additional hours behind the scenes,” she said.
Jay highlights teachers continuous efforts with students regardless of the recent troubling times.
“I know for myself and others we put in so much effort to form genuine and respectful relationships with our students”
“A large group of teachers, including myself go and watch the students play various sports sometimes throughout the week but mostly on the weekends”, she said.
“They come back to school and say: “Did you see me play footy on the weekend miss?”, “Did you see me score that try miss?”
“Forming these types of friendships with not only students but the local community is a huge part of teaching within a rural and remote area,” she said.
Jay’s future at Coonamble High School as an Industrial Technology teacher is looking very promising.
“I am planning on continuing to teach at the local high school teaching industrial technology including timber and metal work.”
“I will continue to work full-time at the high school after the school holidays whilst also completing my teaching course online,” she said.
By MARNIE RYAN