Professional experience during your degree

Professional experience is essential to an education degree. It is often referred to as the core of teacher education as it assists students gain vital experience applying their university learning in real world contexts such as schools and/or early childhood centres.

Woman reading a book to children in a classroom

Students studying an education degree will complete a number of professional experience placements in a range of situations. During these experiences, students will develop skills including planning and lesson implementation, creating resources, assessing and analysing student learning, classroom management and reflection on practice. Experienced mentor teachers will guide the development of student teachers, who will also be supported by a university adviser to ensure they reach their maximum potential as an education professional.

To ensure professional experience programs are of a high quality, the Faculty of Education works closely with school staff and teacher accreditation bodies including the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), the Queensland Collge of Teachers (QCT) and the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). By working closely with such accreditation bodies, SCU teacher education students are ready to gain employment after graduation.

Professional experience at Southern Cross University is accredited as a full-time block in a school or early childhood centre. By teaching full-time under the guidance of an experienced mentor teacher, students can demonstrate sustained teaching that will prepare them for the profession. Full-time professional experience placements means students may need to consider their work and/or childcare commitments.

Professional experience support staff are based the Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast campuses. Below are the contact details of staff and their location. All professional experience enquiries can be directed to educationplacements@scu.edu.au.

Professional Experience Requirements   

Faculty of Education Placements COVID-19 Contingency Plan

We have assembled the Faculty of Education Placements COVID-19 Contingency Plan to provide clarity and guidance on education-specific matters during this time.

For details please click the link to read and download: Faculty of Education Placements COVID-19 Contingency Plan

Professional experience staff contacts

NameRolePhoneEmail
Ms Cathy Lembke Director, Professional Experience +61 2 6620 3138 cathy.lembke@scu.edu.au
Ms Sandra Kenny Professional Experience Team Leader +61 2 6620 3295 educationplacements@scu.edu.au
Ms Jenny Barron

Professional Experience Placement Coordinator, Coffs Harbour Campus

+61 2 6659 3657 educationplacements@scu.edu.au
Ms Judy de Vries Professional Experience Placement Coordinator, Lismore Campus +61 2 6626 9320 educationplacements@scu.edu.au
Ms Alison Adams

Professional Experience Placement Coordinator, Gold Coast Campus

+61 7 5589 3126 educationplacements@scu.edu.au
Ms Renee Hogben

Professional Experience Placement Coordinator, Gold Coast Campus

+61 7 5589 3491 educationplacements@scu.edu.au

 

Professional experience documents

You can access documents, forms and reports for professional experience for Southern Cross University Faculty of Education below:


Contact the Faculty of Education

Executive Team

T: 07 5589 3463

E: EAEducation@scu.edu.au

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Course Coordinators

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Professional Experience Team

T: 02 6620 3138

E: educationplacements@scu.edu.au

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Education Research Team

T: 07 5589 3123

E: educationresearch@scu.edu.au

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