Develop highly effective teachers as leaders

We accelerate the leadership development of Associates as highly effective teachers.

Our Leadership Development Program is a formative experience that ingrains in Associates a lifetime commitment to addressing educational disadvantage.

Through the two-year program, Associates build the knowledge, skills and mindsets that they need to have a positive impact on students and schools.

The program includes:

• a thirteen week Initial Intensive program comprising seven weeks online learning and six weeks in-residence, working 10 to 12 hours per day and including two weeks of school-based practicum;
• three additional intensive programs during school holidays;
• completion of a Master of Teaching (Secondary) (Professional Practice) degree while undertaking an 80 per cent teaching load; and
• support from several teaching advisers and mentors who provide frequent classroom observation and feedback and help link theory learnt in study to best practice in the classroom.

Associates are guided by a comprehensive support network of experienced teachers, professionals and leadership coaches.

Teach For Australia provides each Associate with a dedicated, experienced teacher who provides rigorous one-on-one coaching, regular classroom observations and pastoral care to guide Associates’ development as a teacher and leader throughout the program.

Our university partner staff support and supervise Associates through their degree, providing guidance to their progress within the profession and ensuring academic success.

Associates are also part of a national network of inspired, connected and empowered teachers and leaders who work as a collective to help break the cycle of educational disadvantage. Throughout the program, peer relationships create a collegial network, sharing best practice, offering emotional support and reinforcing their passion and commitment.

We support Associates to accelerate their successful demonstration of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

On completion of the two year program, Associates meet the Proficient Standards under the Australian Professional Standards. Eligibility for full registration allows Associates to continue teaching beyond the program.

According to a three year independent evaluation by the Australian Council of Educational Research completed in 2013, 100 per cent of principals surveyed indicated that they had benefited from the program and agreed that the employment-based nature of the Teach For Australia model is an effective way to train teachers.

“My vision is for every student, of all levels of ability, to want and therefore strive to realise every ounce of potential they have. Having gone to an ‘underprivileged’ school myself, I understand the difficulties faced by students in an environment where it is tough to be really ambitious when perhaps others around you are not striving as hard as you are.

I feel one of my greatest strengths as a teacher is my ability to motivate my students to work harder than anyone else, and insist that they dream big and strive to achieve their best. It is something I insist upon, regardless of the student.”
– Shaun Isbister, Cohort 2010 Associate, Leading Teacher Pathways and Transitions, Mill Park Secondary College