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| Elena Gray receives her scholarship from Premier Barry O'Farrell |
Educators are encouraged to apply for the 2014 NSW Premier's Teacher Scholarships, offering the opportunity to undertake a five-week study tour in one of the available scholarship categories.
Generous sponsorship from various supporters means the scholarships now encompass English, youth depression awareness, creativity and innovation, leadership, new and emerging technologies, financial literacy, special education support teachers (vision and hearing), health education, early childhood, contemporary Asian art, visual arts, Chinese language, history and vocational education for school and TAFE teachers.
Applications are invited from teachers in Government, Catholic or Independent Schools and TAFE NSW Institutes and successful applicants will undertake their study tours between 1 January 2015 up until 30 June 2015.
Commerce teacher Elena Gray from St Patrick's Marist College, Dundas travelled to New York, Chicago, England and Scotland after being awarded $15,000 as part of a First State Super NSW Premier's Financial Literacy Scholarship in the last round of scholarships.
Elena says that meeting economists, government curriculum experts, museum curators and educators from leading institutions has allowed her to create resources and interactive activities focusing on developing financial capability in students.
‘Visiting the New York Stock Exchange was an incredible experience,’ said Elena. ‘I felt a sense of excitement and importance to my work and it reinforced the importance of ongoing professional development for all teachers.’
‘Visiting museums and speaking with curators and educators at the Museum of American Finance, Wall St New York, and the Money Museum, Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, greatly helped to improve my own teacher knowledge in the areas of financial markets, money, banking, entrepreneurship and inflation and the role of Reserve Banks,’ said Elena. ‘I encourage all teachers to investigate the scholarship program and apply for the opportunity to gain some career-changing professional development.’
For more information, visit the DEC website.