Philanthropy spotlight: Toyota Community Trust

For students in communities experiencing educational disadvantage, a great STEM teacher can change how they see their future.

Across Australia, too many students are missing out. In 2024, 58.1% of lower secondary principals in public schools said staffing gaps were affecting the quality of instruction in their school. In schools experiencing disadvantage, 67% reported a shortage of qualified teachers. The pressure is particularly visible in STEM. The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute has reported that up to 40% of secondary mathematics classes are taught out-of-field. That means students may be learning maths without a specialist teacher in the room.

Since 2021, Toyota Community Trust has helped Teach For Australia (TFA) strengthen the Leadership Development Program (LDP). Through the partnership, early-career STEM teachers can access wellbeing support, coaching, professional development and trauma-informed training.

On 29 April, TFA Philanthropy team members Matt Smith, Lea Pereira and Olivia Oh attended a beneficiary day hosted by Toyota Community Trust. The event brought together other not-for-profits leading STEM education initiatives funded by the Trust to present their projects. Guests toured Toyota’s Hydrogen Experience Centre and learned more about Toyota’s work in lower and zero-emission technology. For TFA, the visit was an opportunity to share what the national STEM workforce challenge means for students, schools and communities.

‘When students miss out on specialist STEM teaching, they can also miss out on confidence, subject choices and future pathways,’ said Head of Philanthropy, Matt Smith.

‘Toyota Community Trust understands that addressing the STEM gap is not just about recruiting teachers. Teachers also need support to grow, stay and make an impact in the communities where they are needed most.’

Among them are second-year Victorian TFA teachers Naomi Watson and Eric Zhou.

Naomi teaches Maths and Physics at Clyde Secondary College and holds a Bachelor of Science and Arts. Eric teaches Physics, Maths and Vocational Studies at Monterey Secondary College and studied a Bachelor of Vehicle Engineering. Through our LDP, both are bringing real-world STEM knowledge into classrooms where specialist expertise can be harder to access.

In a video interview, Naomi and Eric discuss the STEM workforce challenge. They share what limited access to specialist teachers means for students and how schools, teachers and partners can help close the divide.

Toyota Community Trust is helping more students access specialist STEM teaching, regardless of postcode or background.

We are deeply grateful for the Trust’s support, which helps teachers build confidence, stay in the classroom and keep improving outcomes for students.

For more information on how to support our work, please contact philanthropy@teachforaustralia.org or visit: https://teachforaustralia.org/about-us/support-and-donate/