A north-west Tasmanian teacher has been awarded a $10,000 national scholarship to attend a week-long professional development session at Harvard University.
Hellyer College teacher Ronan Douglas was last month named the 2025 recipient of the Public Education Foundation’s Teachers Health Early Career Scholarship.
Douglas, who teaches Years 11 and 12, will use the funding to deepen his knowledge of teaching psychology and learning environments.
“This scholarship offers a pathway into professional development that would have otherwise been impossible for me to access,” Douglas said.
“Growing up on the north-east coast of Tasmania, opportunities to broaden one’s horizons are often limited. With this scholarship, I’ll be able to succeed in perhaps one of my most unlikely dreams of going to Harvard.”
The scholarship supports public school teachers in their first three years of teaching, offering funds towards professional learning and development.
Douglas said he is passionate about tackling key challenges in education, especially the ongoing teacher shortage in regional areas.
“Across the country, we are losing qualified teachers, particularly in rural and regional Australia,” he said.
“Having strong teacher leadership in the next few years will be critical in ensuring that our students are not put at a disadvantage.”
He hopes the experience will benefit not only his own students, but also the wider Tasmanian education community.
“By enhancing my understanding of how to prepare students for the challenges of the future, I hope to one day lead my colleagues in developing thoughtful students who can meaningfully engage with the world around them,” he said.
“This opportunity allows me to reflect on the assessments and learning experiences I provide, ensuring they support students’ transitions from formal schooling.”
