Hats off to ECU’s new cohort of high achieving early childhood teachers 

Edith Cowan University (ECU) has welcomed its first cohort of students at Joondalup campus to officially launch the High Achieving Teacher’s program, known as HAT@ECU, which commences in Semester 1. 

HAT@ECU is an ‘earn as you learn’ pathway to a Master of Teaching in either Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary Education, delivered as part of the High Achieving Teachers Program: Phase 2 Expansion Pilots supported by the Australian Government Department of Education. 

Unlike existing coursework schedule for these master’s degrees, study is structured around the four Western Australian school terms. 

During the course, students will be placed in one of the partnership schools – public, Catholic or independent.  

“HAT@ECU is an exciting new program for our university, and welcoming the new HAT students for the first ever orientation is another milestone,” ECU Executive Dean, Professor Caroline Mansfield said.

The orientation, she continued, was a “resounding success” with HAT@ECU students given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the program and meet the dedicated teaching staff who will be guiding them through their professional journey. 

Professor Mansfield said the initial cohort was “a diverse and talented group of individuals,” thanks to HAT@ECU’s focus on attracting not only recent graduates but also career changers. 

“A Paediatric nurse, consultant and data scientist, engineer, WAFLW football player, journalist, foster carer, and disability support worker, to name just a few.” 

“We are delighted to be the only Western Australian university to offer this program which allows students to earn an income while they study to become a teacher,” Professor Mansfield said. 

The structure of the program not only responds to the needs of schools/early childhood settings but also enhances theory-practice connections. 

“It also makes life easier for our students with school-age children” HAT@ECU Director Associate Professor Matt Byrne added. 

More information on HAT@ECU can be found on the website.