Student Perspectives
Michael Tyerman & Michael Heuston
#OurMobTeach 2015

We would like to acknowledge that today we are
lucky enough to all come together on Kaurna
Country.
We would like to pay our respects to the Elders
past present and future and extend that respect
to all Aboriginal people here today.

We’ve been asked to talk about retention and
resilience in the profession of teaching and the
professional, cultural and personal experiences
or qualities that are needed for initial teacher
education engagement and success.
We think there are two parts to the journey of
teaching: pre-service and in-service.

 Michael Tyerman I’m from Bowraville a small
town on the mid-north coast in NSW
Gumbaynggirr country. I am the eldest of 11 and I
am first to go to university in my family I will
graduate the end of this year and become a teacher
in both Early childhood and Primary.
 Michael Heuston I’m a Gumbaynggirr man living
on Dunghutti Country in Kempsey NSW. I’m a
father of 5 and next year I will become the first
member of my family to graduate from university
as a Primary School teacher.

 Precursor to University – DET experience
 Potential – personal attributes
 Practicum – friendly, approachable,
supportive, structured, reflective

 ACU (Yalbalinga) – structure, identity
 Financial Support – ACU, DET, HECS
 Community – AECG, families, friends,
students
Are there any teachers in the room?

 Motivation
 Support
 Adam Clay – early years mentoring and
programming support
 Leanne Boatfield – supportive staff, the
children and overcoming the legal side
requirements of the profession

We would like to thank ACU for the opportunity
to share our incites and thank you all for
listening.