Teach For Australia Founder and CEO, Melodie Potts Rosevear OAM, announces planned departure

Teach For Australia’s Founder and CEO, Melodie Potts Rosevear OAM, has recently informed the TFA Board she will transition out of her role as CEO by mid-2025.

Seventeen years ago, Melodie founded Teach For Australia (TFA) with a clear vision of creating an education system that gives every child greater choice for their future.

Since then, she has worked passionately to advance Teach For Australia’s contributions towards educational equity, from the seed of an idea in 2007 through to the impactful, mature organisation it is today.

TFA’s programs have developed over 1800 teachers and leaders, reaching over 600 schools, and has empowered over 650,000 students to reach their potential. 87 per cent of Alumni continue to work in the education system, with 74 per cent still working in schools.

In sharing her decision with the Board, Melodie said that leading Teach For Australia was one of the great privileges of her life.

“Our recent success in renewing our base federal funding makes this the right window for the organisation as we continue to grow our impact,” Melodie said.

“Our Alumni are now an undeniable and significant source of student-centred, equity-focused leadership, whose contributions across teaching, school and system improvement will only compound in the years ahead.

“This is also the right time for me, personally. I will always love and actively support the work of Teach For Australia. And I’m also excited to create space for new opportunities to emerge. I’m confident whatever comes next for me will be anchored in my core values of excellence, equity, and social impact.”

Board Chair, Patrick Forth, celebrated Melodie’s contributions as TFA’s inaugural CEO.

“Her exceptional ability to lead teams, influence policy, navigate complexity and consistently deliver results is remarkable. She inspires others with her vision, authenticity, and intellect, and has earned the respect of TFA’s many partners, stakeholders, philanthropists, government officials, Ministers and education and non-profit leaders across Australia.

“Melodie’s commitment to personal growth has driven her leadership evolution, stewarding TFA through multiple rounds of funding, geographic expansion, and programmatic growth and innovation. As she moves on, we are confident her legacy will open doors to even greater opportunities for TFA, our Alumni community of leaders, and the students we exist to serve. Melodie will always be an integral part of the fabric of TFA as its founder and a steadfast ambassador for the organisation. We will take time to celebrate Melodie’s contributions over the coming months.”

Teach For Australia is in a strong position and the next CEO will inherit a vibrant organisation with significant strengths and an appetite for even greater impact.

The Board has commenced a search for Teach For Australia’s next visionary leader, supported by the executive search firm People For Purpose.

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more or recommending someone, please contact hello@peopleforpurpose.com.au or call 0468 625 252.