High achieving education student receives prominent scholarship

For USQ final year education student Pollyanne Betts it is the thrill of the unknown and everyday challenges that make the teaching profession so exciting.

The high achieving preservice teacher was recently awarded a Department of Education, Training and the Arts (DETA) Believe, Achieve, Succeed (BAS) scholarship, which will give her a direct avenue into the classroom.

Awarded annually to only five final year preservice teachers statewide, the scholarship gives financial assistance and support to those who are interested in meeting the challenges of teaching in the complex and challenging schools participating in the BAS initiative.

BAS is an innovative support strategy for schools, school leaders, teachers and other school staff to inspire students and maximise opportunities for success in Queensland's most demanding schools.

'A few of the fourth year students I met on college last year were not lucky enough to gain full time teaching positions after graduating, so I thought this was a great opportunity to improve my chances of gaining employment in 2010,' Pollyanne said.

'The scholarship will place me in a school that has received special funding for the BAS scheme.

'Hopefully I will come into contact with some new school initiatives and practices compared to the ones I have already witnessed.'

While yet to start her career as an educator, Pollyanne's experience as a preservice teacher has her excited for the career that is ahead of her.

'I don't see educating as a means to an end, more of a means to keep on learning instead,' she said.

'It amazes me what students want to learn or what they discover, plus the profession of teaching allows me to travel and work at the same time.'

USQ Primary Education Program Co-ordinator Janice Jones said that Pollyanne was very deserving of the scholarship and hoped that other students would follow her lead.

'Pollyanne is an exceptionally hard worker and I am delighted that she has received this scholarship,' Mrs Jones said.

'I hope that others will see how well Pollyanne has done and will be encouraged to apply for this type of scholarship in the future.'

Pollyanne will be given the opportunity to secure permanent employment as a teacher in a BAS school from 2010 as part of the scholarship.

Fellow USQ Education student Rob Cantle also received one of the scholarships. 

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559