Celebrating 15 years of transformative leadership for educational equity in Victoria

National education charity, Teach For Australia (TFA) celebrated its 15th anniversary at a reception at Government House, hosted by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria.

The event brought together a distinguished group of TFA alumni, teachers, partner school principals, and supporters, showcasing TFA’s extensive impact.

Over the past 15 years, TFA has recruited and trained nearly 900 exceptional teachers and leaders in Victoria to work in schools in low socio-economic and remote, rural and regional areas, helping to level the playing field for almost 300,000 students in these schools.

TFA Alum (2010), Rebecca Ferretti spoke at the event, sharing how the charity has allowed her to develop and leverage her leadership skills to teach with a determination for equity.

“Teaching is a complex, purposeful, creative blend of science and art, heart and head. Being part of Teach for Australia provided me with a tenacity for equity and skilled me with the language of educational advocacy. Fifteen years on, my optimism that a system of schooling which holds all students fairly is possible, remains steadfast.”

Founder and CEO, Melodie Potts Rosevear OAM said she immensely proud of the organisation’s accomplishments and extended her gratitude to everyone who has made this milestone possible.

“Reaching 15 years of impact would not have happened without the unwavering support of those who believed – believed in the right of every child to a great education regardless of their circumstances, believed in the joy and purpose to be found in teaching, and believed in the need to develop more leaders with a passion for educational justice,” said Ms Potts Rosevear.

“Our Alumni community of teachers and education leaders working across all parts of our system are the heart and soul of Teach For Australia. Their commitment to driving educational equity forward so every child can have greater choice for their future, is truly inspiring.”

Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria also paid tribute to the charity.

“Since beginning in Victoria 15 years ago, Teach For Australia has been committed to making education fairer and more equitable – helping hundreds of thousands of students across Australia in the process.”

“Education is the greatest gift you can offer anyone. It is a pleasure to recognise the important work of staff and educators of Teach For Australia in ensuring more young people have the opportunity to reach their potential.”

Mr. Iwan Walters MP, Member for Greenvale and TFA Alum, who attended the event on behalf of Mr Ben Carroll, Minister for Education, said he was grateful to Teach for Australia for enabling him to teach in rural Victoria and positively contribute to the education system.

“I’m forever indebted to my generous and incredibly hardworking teaching colleagues and mentors who supported me – and who helped me to support my students,” said Mr Walters.

“I’m also grateful for the vision of the Victorian Government led by John Brumby for having the courage to back Teach for Australia, and to more recent Victorian Governments that have worked to build an education state, where every student – regardless of postcode – has the opportunities and resources they need to reach their potential.

“The experiences of education policies and their practical impact on student outcomes, school environments and communities that I gained thanks to Teach for Australia has been formative in my life and in my work as a member of the Victorian Parliament.

“I love spending time in the schools that I now represent. I carry with me a first-hand understanding of the immense responsibilities that our teachers and school leaders bear in serving their students, and I am constantly inspired by the work they do in providing extraordinary opportunities in every school in my own electorate and across the state.”

Amidst mass teacher shortages, the TFA’s flagship program has had remarkable success in keeping teachers engaged in the profession in Victoria.

85% of Alumni are currently working in the education sector, almost 70% are teaching or leading in schools, and 30% are in school leadership positions including principals, assistant principals and leading teachers.