Ms Lyons was one of 50 people who were accepted into the first intake of the NSW government’s mid-career transition to teaching. She will begin paid work as an agriculture teacher in training after six months of full-time study.
The program is designed to address the state’s worsening teacher shortage by attracting mid-career professionals to become high school mathematics,science or technology or applied studies teacher.
“When I finished high school,I wanted to do teaching,but I also have a burning passion for agriculture,” Ms Lyons said.
“Once I saw this opportunity I knew it was something I would pursue ... Hopefully it will give me the best of two of my passions:teaching and agriculture.”
“The underlying causes of teacher shortages,as confirmed by government report after government report,are uncompetitive salaries and unsustainable workloads.”
Angelo Gavrielatos,NSW Teachers Federation president
The second round of applications for the program will open on Tuesday with 50 places available,25 of which will be in rural or regional locations. Successful applicants will receive a $30,000 training allowance and a $30,000 bonus on completion of study.
Ms Lyons said the paid work placement and financial incentives made the career change possible.