University lecturer awarded for supporting aspiring teachers

University lecturer awarded for supporting aspiring teachers

University of Sydney senior lecturer, Dr Jen Scott Curwood, received national recognition for her leadership work with Australia’s next generation of teachers.

In a bid to enhance student outcomes and help future teachers transition into the classroom environment, Dr Curwood has integrated programs into the university’s teaching courses that focus on building an understanding of the value the profession has on the community and developing leadership skills. 

As a teacher educator, she draws on her research related to literacy, technology, and teacher professional development as well as her experience within the Centre for Research on Learning and Innovation.

She was awarded the Teacher Educator of the Year Award from Teachers Mutual Bank, in partnership with Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA), at the 2016 ATEA National Conference held in Ballarat.

“For over 50 years, Teachers Mutual Bank has been dedicated to creating opportunities for the education sector to flourish as we believe teachers are one of the most valuable members of our society.

“This year the Teacher Educator of the Year Award recognises and rewards Dr Curwood’s training program which focuses on building the leadership skills and confidence of future teachers so they can successfully enter the education workforce,” said Brad Hedgman, Deputy CEO at Teachers Mutual Bank. 

Dr Curwood has also established a partnership with Compass, within the University of Sydney's Social Inclusion Unit, which gives pre-service teachers an opportunity to build their skills and confidence as English educators by working with students in low socio-economic areas of western and south-western Sydney.

“I am honoured to receive this recognition from teacher educators. Teachers are a source of rich and diverse leadership in our communities. I have a strong belief that teacher educators can cultivate and encourage this leadership and help shape educational policy and practice, both as teachers and researchers.

"My students have gone on to share their scholarship at conferences and in leading educational journals. I am excited about continuing this work with pre-service English teachers, as they build and share knowledge about our profession,” said Dr Curwood.

Applications for next year’s award will open in February 2017. As part of the application, applicants will be required to submit a paper on innovation and teaching, which will be reviewed by a panel of judges. The successful applicant will then be required to present their paper at the ATEA national conference.

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