First-year schoolteachers across the region have been congratulated by USC’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett for their amazing efforts during this challenging year.

Professor Bartlett said Queensland’s celebration of World Teachers’ Day on Friday 30 October was an appropriate time to pay tribute to all teachers, especially those who stepped into the profession just as COVID-19 began causing disruptions.

“The pandemic lockdowns meant students were required to learn from home, and teachers found themselves suddenly having to deliver a virtual classroom,” Professor Bartlett said.

“Teachers across our regions certainly rose to the challenge, even while facing their own personal disruptions, and they are continuing to shine now that they are back in their classrooms.

“It has been so inspiring to see USC’s recent Education graduates showing great resilience and community spirit in joining their more experienced colleagues to deliver quality education during such difficult times.

“Their efforts in continuing the important work of educating children will certainly help our regions recover better from the long-term effects of this pandemic.”

In the past year more than 200 students have graduated with Education degrees from USC, which consistently rates highly for its own teaching quality.

Among them was Savannah Epskamp, who found herself teaching online when she first started work in May at Christ the King Catholic Primary School in Deception Bay.

“It wasn’t easy,” the Buderim resident said. “But I think that my studies and practical placements really set me up well to be flexible in my role.

“I love being face-to-face now with my students, discovering new things, seeing their progress and their ability to focus improving. They have transitioned well back into the classroom environment.”

Applications are open to study at USC in 2021.