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Teacher Education

We have been at the forefront of teacher education for over 100 years and is the largest School of Education in WA. Professional practice is central to all ECU teacher education courses, making ECU graduates job ready and preferred by many employers.

ECU graduates equipped with behaviour management skills

There is more to being a good teacher then just knowing the theory. Our Teacher Education courses are leading the way in incorporating the practical issues faced by current WA teachers into the classroom in their teaching courses.

Behaviour management is a growing issue in WA schools and ECU has been an essential source in conducting research and providing feedback on effective classroom management. Dr Tim McDonald, Senior Lecturer for Secondary Education says,

ECU is giving secondary teachers the skills and knowledge to deal with student behaviour in a respectful way so that learning takes place.

All our secondary education students students participate in a classroom management and instruction unit as part of their course. The unit is practical and helps pre-service teachers develop the skills, confidence and language of discipline to teach effectively.

Engaging the community

We are actively involved in co-ordinating community events aimed at bringing awareness to school children in areas such as science, environmental education and maths.

All community programs are embedded within the School of Education course curriculum to provide our pre-service teachers with an applied, hands-on experience throughout their course of study. For example:

  • Science for Kids Day (SKIDS)
    School children from across the metropolitan area come on campus for the day to experience hands-on science activities with experienced Science teachers and ECU pre-service teachers.
  • MAD Maths Day
    It's all about showing how fun maths can really be. School children from around Perth attend a series of activities hosted by Maths specialists. ECU teaching students are always involved and are happy to lend helping hands.
  • Earth Day
    Earth Day is celebrated internationally and ECU is believed to be the only WA organisation to hold a celebration centred around environmental educational issues. School children come on campus to participate in fun activities that are sponsored and supported by a number of environmental industry partners.

ECU Education students are well prepared for the classroom...by me.

Our South West campus's unique teaching program invites principals to be lecturers.

Principals like Gary Quinn, Principal of Dalyellup Primary School, are able to prepare students before their main fourth year teaching experience.

This way the students get the knowledge they need to succeed; and we principals get the kind of teachers we're looking for. I am really happy with the student teachers I get from ECU South West; and I take many of them on as full-time teachers once they graduate, he says.

What do our employers have to say?

Len Christie, Beechboro Primary School Principal, says

ECU students and graduates are task orientated and genuinely enjoy working with children and colleagues. They possess competence, confidence and a willingness to listen and act on advice.

From our experience ECU teaching graduates stand out. We actively recruit those graduates who have performed well in our school, he says.