Former Warrnambool student returns for new course at Deakin

When Julianne Lynch attended Warrnambool Secondary College in the 1980s there was a distinct lack of girls studying maths in Victoria's schools.

Dr Lynch later helped overcome that shortage as a research assistant at Latrobe University where she investigated why those participation rates were so low.

Now she is helping address a shortage of maths and science teachers in south-west Victoria in her role as Senior Lecturer for the new Master of Teaching course at Deakin University's Warrnambool Campus.

The postgraduate course, the first on-campus secondary teaching course at Warrnambool, will produce graduates qualified to teach science and mathematics in secondary schools.

Dr Lynch moved to Warrnambool with her family when she was 15 and completed her VCE at Warrnambool Secondary College.

She then completed her Bachelor of Education at Deakin University, Master of Arts at Monash and a PhD in educational technology at La Trobe University. Dr Lynch has a strong interest in how classroom technology can be used to enhance learning across the school curriculum and has worked on many school-based projects in this area. She is looking forward to bringing this experience to her work in the new Deakin course.

Her working career has included stints at La Trobe University, Monash University and Deakin's Melbourne Campus at Burwood. In 2002, she received a Sir John Eccles 'Tall Poppy' Award for outstanding achievement and service to the community from Warrnambool College.

Dr Lynch returned to Warrnambool at the start of 2009 with her partner David Harris and young children Tom, Darcy and Tex.

"We moved back for the lifestyle. It's a great place for a young family," Dr Lynch said.

While the friendly community and workplace and easy to access events and the outdoors appeal to Dr Lynch, so does the smaller class group in the new course.

"I'm really looking forward to the prospect of getting to know the students and working with them in the context of the local community."

Dr Lynch said the course had an emphasis on preparing teachers to work with diverse groups of adolescents, paying particular attention to the impact of learners' social and cultural backgrounds on their schooling experience.

The course is designed for people with undergraduate qualifications in science or mathematics who might be looking to change directions and prepare for a career in teaching. "It is a good opportunity for science graduates to pass on their skills and enthusiasm to a new generation," Dr Lynch said.

It is expected that up to 20 postgraduate students will be enrolled at Warrnambool when the Master of Teaching starts in March. Prospective students can apply directly to Deakin until the end of February.