Surat principal inspiring the next generation of teachers
SURAT State School principal Justin Washington doubts he would have become a teacher if it wasn't for the Remote Area Teacher Education Program.
Mr Washington is one of the 160 Bachelor of Education graduates who have used RATEP since it began 25 years ago.
Growing up in Dirranbandi, Mr Washington was a labourer and school support officer in St George a decade ago with no plans for the future when he stumbled upon RATEP.
He said the support he received as part of his course at James Cook University made it possible to achieve his goals.
"The benefit is it allowed me to stay in my community and be with my young family," he said.
"I probably wouldn't have done it (without RATEP) - there was no way I was leaving home."
Mr Washington is one of just seven participants in RATEP to go on to hold leadership positions in state schools.
