Going from fast-paced Sydney to relaxing Cobram is a big move.
However, for Joshua Bryne, the chance for a tree change and a new career was one he couldn’t easily give up.
Mr Byrne is the latest Teach For Australia recruit who will be calling Cobram and the secondary college home.
TFA is a program that seeks to help young professionals transition into teaching through a practical two-year program that will ease them into teaching careers.
Mr Byrne is one of seven Teach for Australia associates who have recently arrived at CSC for their initial placement as part of their Teach for Australia National Initial Intensive.
Although the others will then be sent to different schools nationwide, Mr Bryne will stay to complete his two-year traineeship with CSC, teaching humanities, literacy and social sciences.
Prior to teaching, Mr Bryne worked in the tech industry while simultaneously studying history and criminology.
Jumping into teaching may seem like a massive undertaking, but Mr Byrne said he wouldn’t be thrown into the deep end.
“We ease into it with periods of observation with experienced teachers and sessions where we sit down with teachers and get their advice and thoughts,” he said.
“It then switches up a bit, and we take segments and then gradually whole lessons (but) still with the senior teachers in the room who offer support and advice and improvement.”
Mr Byrne said the community welcome in Cobram has been fantastic and there’s a sense of togetherness, which Sydney lacks.
“The community here has been very welcoming,” he said.
“The school has been incredibly supportive.”
As for the students, Mr Byrne said they were all delightful, and he looked forward to working with them.
“The students have such great personalities and senses of humour,” he said.
“The atmosphere of the schools is positive and a great place to be.”
Mr Byrne said that positivity extended to the teaching staff, and he praised the support he has received from every staff member and that they have gone out of their way to make his beginning as easy as possible.
Moving to Cobram isn’t all work and no play and Mr Byrne has been pleasantly surprised with all that the area offers.
“There’s so many open spaces and activities that you can do,” he said.
“We’ve got the Murray nearby and all the beaches that come with that. In a way, it’s very much the opposite of living in the city.”