Alice Dixon is an English and History teacher at Chifley College Dunheved Campus, and she finds the experience of working in a western Sydney school to be both inspiring and rewarding. ‘The Western Sydney region is a vibrant educational community where teachers work closely together and where there is that exchange of knowledge between various high schools,' Alice says. ‘It's such a privilege to work here … It's such a wonderful place to start my career.'
After completing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at the University of Sydney, Alice had to decide if her future lay in academia or as a teacher. With her decision made, she successfully applied for a scholarship through the NSW Department of Education and Communities Teacher Education Scholarship Program to study for a Master of Teaching. ‘The annual scholarship money that was given to me allowed me to really commit to my practicums while I was studying,' Alice says. She was able to take time off work and devote all her energies to creating lesson plans and resources during her practicums. ‘The other great thing about the scholarship was that guarantee of work after I finished.'
Growing up, Alice saw the positive impact her parents had on teenagers' lives as they helped them academically and socially. When her parents became members of the senior executive within their school, Alice also ‘witnessed the variety of career paths available to teachers, and the different skills and strategies that can be used in the profession.'
Supported by her own experiences and inspired by her parents and all the other teachers she has known, Alice is a strong supporter of public education. ‘I have so much faith in the NSW public school system and the DEC. I think it delivers the highest standard of education. The other reason that I went into public education is because ideologically I am committed to the idea that every child deserves a high quality education delivered by experts.' ‘Teaching is genuinely rewarding, intellectually rigorous and never dull,' Alice concludes. ‘I highly recommend NSW public schools for everyone considering teaching.'
Applicants for a Teacher Education Scholarship can contact the Scholarship Team on telephone 1300 301 435 or by email at scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au to obtain further information and assistance.