Sophia D’Ambra is on a mission to eradicate education disadvantage, starting with Melton Secondary College.
Ms D’Ambra is a Teach for Australia (TFA) associate on the cusp of graduating.
She’s been completing her studies while undertaking a placement at the Melton school as a Victorian Certificate of Education legal studies teacher.
“I’ve learned more about the challenges public schools face,” Ms D’Ambra said.
“I’ve learned a lot about how teachers think creatively, how they use their resources and how to work collaboratively with other staff members.”
TFA recruits outstanding graduates who have scored highly on their ATAR and during their undergraduate studies across a range of fields, including law, science and economics.
The associates are then deployed to the state’s most disadvantaged schools. Ms D’Ambra said that in order to create an equitable education system, it was important to work with the state’s most disadvantaged communities.
“It’s sad that we have such an inequitable system in Australia,” she said. “I have a drive to be a part of a group of people who are trying to change that; it motivates me.”
Melton Secondary College principal David Reynolds said the associates’ passion was invaluable in the classroom.
“The associates come with a stronger sense of commitment and enthusiasm to the work of teaching and to the task of getting the absolute best outcome for students,” he said.
The state government announced last week it would commit $12.9 million to the 2016 TFA program, with Melton Secondary College one of the schools associates will be stationed at.
For more information about the program or to get involved, visit www.teachforaustralia.org
