Through this initiative, UNE will offer a scholarship covering 50% of a teacher’s course fees, with the school free to cover the remaining costs in full or in part. This provides teachers access to the full suite of postgraduate education courses and approved conversion pathways at a reduced cost.
The program has been designed by the UNE School of Education in partnership with UNE’s marketing team to make high-impact, qualification-bearing professional development more accessible for regional educators.
Two teachers are enrolled in special education and neuroscience-related courses – areas of critical need in Australia and the New England region: in 2024, over one million school students received an educational adjustment due to disability, up almost 10% since 2015.
Chris Waters has enrolled into a Master of Education (Special and Inclusive Education), her first formal qualification in the area despite teaching in special education for over seven years.
“Teachers always continue to learn, and this qualification will fill any gaps I have to my teaching,” Ms Waters said.
It will also assist her in applying for and taking on leadership roles in her department, something Ms Waters is particularly interested in.
Merryn (Mim) Macinnis, a learning and support officer at ASC, has been undertaking a Graduate Diploma in Neuroscience and Education since Trimester 1 of this year. Lifelong learning is a core tenet for her and she sees this as a valuable step in her professional journey and personal growth.
“This professional development will positively impact my teaching career by broadening my expertise and opening up new opportunities for leadership roles and specialised teaching positions,” Ms Macinnis said.
“Personally, it will boost my confidence and motivation to achieve another goal. Professionally, it could lead to career advancement and opportunities to contribute more significantly to my school community.”
Mr Michael Lenane is completing a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies, majoring in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
This qualification provides critical expertise to ASC. Nearly half of all Australian students are first‑generation or foreign‑born, with many regional schools now supporting learners of English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) for the first time. This makes expertise like Mr Lenane’s increasingly vital.
ASC’s Head Teacher of Teaching and Learning, Mrs Jess Brennan, says the scholarship model delivers practical, sustained impact for regional teachers who do not have access to the same range of professional development opportunities as metropolitan teachers.
“What these teachers study directly applies to their practice and, because it’s ongoing, it’s easier to embed into their teaching,” she said.
Armidale Secondary School joins a number of other schools from across the region in the program.
Any other school in the New England North West region interested in accessing reduced-cost postgraduate courses for their teachers through the Regional Educator Development Scholarships initiative can contact program manager Trent Donaldson on tdonald7@une.edu.au.
