Alexis Warncken is putting into practice what she has learnt so far in her teaching degree, but the new way she is getting practical experience aims to give her a better transition to real-world teaching.
While all universities offer practical placements, they are usually conducted in blocks of several weeks.
But Ms Warncken spends one day a week with a Year 6 class at Bishop Druitt College in Coffs Harbour.
The third-year teaching student is also being mentored by Christabel Martin, a teacher with 20 years of experience, as part of a new pilot program known as a teacher's hub.
"[Ms Martin] taught me A through to Z on all aspects of the classroom: behaviour management, the planning cycle, which is really important for when you're a teacher," Ms Warncken said.
"It's something that you don't really get to see when you're on your prac during the university studies."
Career-ready graduates
The new model looks significantly different to conventional practical placements.
Ms Warncken will continue her weekly experience over an entire school year, under the guidance of her mentor.
Bishop Druitt College principal Nick Johnstone said he had found the traditional blocks of several weeks of practical placement did not create strong engagement.
"The best way to [create engagement] is to create strong relationships that we can build over time, and this way we're creating new graduates that are going to be career-ready for their roles," he said.
The program has been designed by the Association of Independent Schools NSW and several universities.
"It improves on the prac program. Instead of starting halfway through the year, teachers start right at the beginning," association chief executive Margery Evans said.
"They have at least one day a week in the classroom so they can see the cadences of the school year, they get to experience growth."
The program is being trialled at 10 other schools in the state, across the north coast and in western Sydney.
Four universities are involved, including Southern Cross University where Ms Warncken studies.
Part of the solution
A February study from the Black Dog Institute found close to half of Australia's teachers have considered leaving the profession in the next 12 months.
It also found 70 per cent of teachers reported having unmanageable workloads, while more than three quarters of schools had staff shortages.
The more teachers that leave, the more work is left for those who remain.
Ms Evans said it was hoped the model would form part of a solution.
"[It's about having] someone who works with [the students] to help them work through the trials and tribulations of being a new teacher," she said.
"That resilience is created because they've got experience in practice in doing the sorts of things they're going to have to do every day once they're in the classroom without support."
Mr Johnstone said the program would help student teachers build a better rapport with students and teachers.
"Teaching is a tough, complicated, complex role – no doubt about it," he said.
"We think that the graduates that will come out of this program will be ready to teach immediately and they will need less support when they arrive in the classroom."
Mr Johnstone said the model was just as much about helping experienced teachers as new ones.
"This idea has been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years: the idea of working together over time by creating a strong relationship with the master and apprentice — by the end they're learning together," he said.
Learning from each other
For Ms Warncken's mentor teacher Ms Martin, the results are already positive.
"She gets to see the planning [and] the relationship-building with the teachers and the students," she said.
"We set targets and we can be reflective. A great teacher has to be really reflective on their practices to ensure they're doing the best job they can."
Both mentor and student feel the process has strengthened their passion for teaching.
"I think she will really grow from this opportunity, which is leading her to a better education practice," Ms Martin said.
"It's further improved how I'm feeling about becoming a teacher, and it's really made me excited to become a part of the industry and professional in the industry," Ms Warncken said.
