An opportunity to teach in Singapore was too good to pass up for newly-graduated Ballarat teacher Timika Mathews.
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She travelled to the island nation to take up a casual relief teacher position, and soon found herself given her own class for six months before being offered a full time teaching position at the prestigious Canadian International School of Singapore – all less than a year after graduating from Federation University.
The diversity of the school was a drawcard for the new teacher, with the CIS having students from more than 70 different countries and offering an international baccalaureate curriculum.
Ms Mathews said the challenge of teaching in a new country had forced her to step out of her comfort zone.
“I was originally offered a full time casual relief teacher position and I was soon allocated my own class for the six month contract,” Ms Mathews said.
“I have now been offered a full time teacher position and I am loving every minute of it, both at the school and in Singapore.”
Ms Mathews graduated from her three-year Bachelor of Early Education degree last year.
It’s the first time that Federation University graduate students have been offered the opportunity to teach in Singapore.
Federation University alumni Shane Armstrong is the current chief executive officer of the Canadian International School in Singapore, and was keen to provide an opportunity to new graduate teachers.
“Shane has been a generous spokesperson for Federation University for several years,” said FedUni alumni and foundation project officer Pam Sutcliffe.
“He frequently makes himself available as guest speaker for the education faculty when he visits Australia. He also was awarded the prestigious FedUni International Alumni Award in 2015.
“It’s great to be able to work with alumni of our university in developing opportunities like this for our graduates to work in international schools and gain such invaluable experience.”
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