Philanthropy spotlight: Alcoa Foundation

Supporting teachers’ wellbeing and mental health is crucial to helping them be the best educators they can be; and in the mission to reverse entrenched teacher shortages currently pervasive in our education system.

Since 2024, Alcoa Foundation has committed approximately AUD$200,000 per year for three years – totalling AUD$600,000 – to support Teach For Australia’s (TFA) efforts to improve teacher wellbeing and mental health initiatives.

This contribution helps to ensure early-career educators receive the key support they need to succeed in the classroom.

Overall, Alcoa Foundation has invested AUD$2.6 million over three years across Teach For All’s Australian, Brazilian and American networks to drive systemic change in education.

Established in 1952, the Alcoa Foundation partners with trusted organisations worldwide to create positive social, environmental and economic impact, especially focusing its efforts in the 10 countries in which they operate.

Strengthening teacher support in key regions

Alcoa Foundation’s investment has been instrumental in expanding and improving our support systems for teachers in Western Australia and Portland, Victoria – regions where Alcoa has a strong operational presence. Their funding directly contributes to wraparound wellbeing and professional development services that help early-career teachers manage the challenges of their first years in the classroom.

With Alcoa Foundation’s support, TFA’s Teaching and Leadership Coaches (TLCs) deliver a tailored, needs-based coaching model. Teachers receive regular wellbeing check-ins and instructional coaching at least two to three times per term, ensuring they feel supported both personally and professionally.

Additionally, Alcoa’s investment has allowed us to expand mentor training, equipping school-based mentors with the skills needed to provide high-quality guidance and instructional support to new teachers.

Through these initiatives, we leverage online professional development platforms IRIS Connect and Steplab to improve coaching effectiveness, while the Berry Street Education Model equips teachers with trauma-informed strategies to better support students. Our partnership with Greater Space, made possible in part by the Alcoa Foundation, provides crucial counselling and wellbeing services.

Between July 2023 and August 2024, 21 TFA teachers accessed Greater Space services.

“The spark is back!” said one teacher who accessed the service. “[The counsellor’s] educational experience and insights advanced my personal and professional development beyond what traditional counselling or PD ever achieved.”

As another teacher said, “These sessions have been particularly helpful as a teacher who moved to a regional/remote town where I didn’t know anyone.

“They helped me feel less isolated and more supported.”

Thank you, Alcoa Foundation

We are deeply grateful for the Alcoa Foundation’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in regional and remote areas.

Their support ensures that teachers receive the coaching, training and wellbeing resources needed to make a lasting difference in students’ lives.

For more information on how to support our work, please contact: philanthropy@teachforaustralia.org