When Igraine Ridley-Smith started as a teacher at Calwell High School, many were sceptical about her ability to cope in the classroom.
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The University of Sydney student was a science and mathematical whiz but with only six weeks training, many thought she lacked preparation.
But six months down the track, Miss Ridley-Smith and others like her have proven everybody wrong.
Miss Ridley-Smith is one of five university students who were fast-tracked into ACT schools this year as part of the Teach for Australia program.
The national program aims to address skills shortages by offering the nations best and brightest university students a six-week intensive training program to launch their careers as teachers in schools of educational disadvantage.
The program allows students to learn on the job while completing their degree part-time over two years through the University of Melbourne.
It has already proven a hit in Victoria and the ACT appears equally satisfied, after announcing it will double its intake to include another 10 associates next year.
The program was trialled at Belconnen High, Calwell High, Hawker College and Erindale College this year.
Calwell Highs head of maths Jurek Paradowski acted as Miss Ridley-Smiths mentor and said any skepticism he and his colleagues held faded within weeks. The new staff were highly motivated, self-driven learners who were never afraid to ask for advice.
Miss Ridley-Smith, who was in her third year of a science and maths degree, said the program had confirmed her passion for teaching.
"I'm actually a bit of nerd in maths and science. I love problem solving, recording patterns and applying them to new students, and Id like to think I can pass that passion on to students," she said.
Meanwhile, Hawker College principal Stephen Gwilliam praised his associate for using her life experience as the founder of an Indian orphanage to inspire students sense of social justice in sociology and psychology classes.
Lia van den Bosch said she hoped her experiences had helped students value learning for their long-term futures.
"I guess it helps them broaden their perspectives on where they fit in the world, rather than just the little Canberra bubble," Miss van den Bosch said.
The Teach for Australia program is to be expanded into Western Australia and the Northern Territory next year.