La Trobe University’s new course to address critical teacher workforce shortages

Nine aspiring teachers took an important career step this week, as La Trobe University celebrated the commencement of its new Bachelor of Education in Albury-Wodonga.

Led by academics and experienced expert teachers, the new course will help to address critical teacher workforce shortages being felt across the state and country, particularly in regional areas.

First year Bachelor of Education student Chloe Locke is one of the nine in the very first cohort.

“I am excited to be taking the first step towards doing what I want to do with my life,” Chloe Locke said.

Dean of the School of Education at La Trobe University, Professor Joanna Barbousas, said she hopes to grow the Albury-Wodonga campus into a significant hub to train teachers for the region.

“Some of our key leaders are based on the campus to drive this, including our Director of Professional Practice, our Practice Advisor Coordinator, our Associate Lead of Learning Sciences, and our Academic Lead of the Nexus Program,” Professor Barbousas said.

The new Bachelor of Education is now offered on all five of La Trobe University’s Victorian campuses, combining high-end digital learning experiences, face-to-face on-campus learning, and strong connection to local schools and early-childhood centres.

Only students of the Master of Teaching courses have been enrolled on the Albury-Wodonga campus until now.

Professor Barbousas said the University has great relationships with many of the local schools in the region.

“We will be working closely with our partner schools so that our teachers graduate with a strong understanding of how to apply evidence-based understandings of education in local classrooms,” Professor Barbousas said.

“The national teacher shortage is hitting our local schools and early childhood centres particularly hard, with many struggling to fill staff vacancies. La Trobe University has opened a new pipeline to supply high-quality teachers to the region.”