As part of World Teachers' Day celebrations, two University of Queensland teaching graduates were recently nominated for a Queensland College of Teachers excellence in teaching award.
The prestigious awards provide opportunities to recognise and celebrate teachers who inspire their school communities. There were two awards categories: Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Beginning to Teach.
Ben Hegerty, a 2008 UQ graduate, is a finalist in an Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award while Jesus Bergas Paz – who graduated and has returned to teach in the program and continuing to study as an RHD student – was also nominated and has been awarded a Highly Commended Certificate for Excellence in Teaching Award.
Head of UQ's School of Education, Professor Peter Renshaw, said he was delighted UQ graduates were once again well represented among nominees.
"It gives me great pleasure to see our former students being recognised for their outstanding work. Our programs are designed to prepare and develop our graduates as first rate teachers – many of whom are offered teaching positions beginning in the following year, before the completion of their programs," he said.
The University has been training teachers for the workforce since 1945 and is one of the most highly regarded schools of education in Australia.
"The UQ teacher preparation programs are highly regarded by teachers with whom our students are placed for supervised practicum," Professor Renshaw said.
"The secondary teacher preparation program, which these young teachers undertook, provides lengthy teaching practice allowing time to build rapport with classroom students and staff and become involved in the 'whole school' experience."
Professor Renshaw said such awards were important to provide public recognition for the work of high-achieving teachers and well as profiling the great work teachers do generally in their communities.
For more information about studying Education at UQ in 2012, visit www.uq.edu.au/study or contact the School of Education on (07) 3365 6550.
The University will also hold a UQ Options evening on Monday, December 19, 2011, at the UQ Centre, Union Road, St Lucia campus, from 4pm–7pm to help students get the best results from their OPs. Visit http://www.youruq.com/options/ for details.
