Bell Shakespeare's Regional Teacher Scholarship is designed specifically for teachers of English and Drama in regional and remote schools across Australia, and is enabled by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation.

Now in its fourth year the Scholarship consists of four days of intensive Professional Development, designed to address the unique challenges of teaching Shakespeare in regional schools. It will also assist teachers preparing for the incoming National Curriculum in 2011 and give them an opportunity to share ideas with each other about teaching off the beaten track.

The Regional Teacher Scholarship creates a group of specialist alumni who will return to their respective communities energised and keen to share their experiences and newly acquired knowledge within the school community.

Fifty-four applications were received - a record for the scholarship -representing every state and territory. The 12 successful teachers fulfilled all selection criteria and demonstrated their dedication to improving the teaching of Shakespeare, regardless of socio-economic barriers and geographical access.

The teachers will travel to Sydney on Thursday 11 March and complete the Scholarship activities on Monday 15 March 2010. The Scholarship covers the cost of all Professional Development, travel and accommodation. Teachers undertaking the Regional Teacher Scholarship can use the programme towards accreditation for a Masters of Education degree at the University of Sydney through a partnership between Bell Shakespeare and the Division of Professional Learning at the University.

Jonathan is committed to teaching Shakespeare in all his classes, including introducing it into the Primary Curriculum. Jonathan was selected on his commitment to Shakespeare in the curriculum, and his request for assistance to get out of the BBC model of teaching Shakespeare. Jonathan said he wanted to get students actively involved. "'Let's get physical,' I say, but often I am not sure how to bring the text alive" he said.