This week, I had the privilege of delivering a TEDx talk titled “Making Teaching Cool Again: How to Fix Education’s Biggest Crisis.” It was an incredible opportunity to share my passion for education and to tackle the urgent issue of teacher shortages that is already reshaping classrooms across Australia and beyond.
In my talk, I asked the audience to imagine a world without teachers. At first, it might seem like a student’s dream come true with no essays or homework, but in reality, it would be a disaster. Parents would be forced into homeschooling, workplaces would suffer staff shortages, and everyday life would grind to a halt. Who would teach young people to read a road sign or understand a payslip?
The world is running out of teachers, and the impact is already being felt. Even in schools that appear fully staffed, the experience levels are often unbalanced, with too many new teachers and not enough experienced mentors. This leaves early-career teachers unsupported and increases burnout, with one in five leaving the profession within the first five years.
Why Are We Here?
In my talk, I explored some of the reasons why fewer people are choosing teaching and why so many great educators are leaving:
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Increasing Expectations: Schools are now expected to teach life skills that used to be taught at home, diluting the focus on literacy and numeracy.
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Limited Pay Progression: In Victoria, teachers reach the top of the pay scale in their 11th year. Beyond that, the only way to earn more is to move into leadership roles, which often means stepping away from the classroom.
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Lack of Flexibility: While many professions now offer flexible work arrangements, schools have largely returned to the traditional five-day, on-site work week.
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Administrative Overload: Teachers spend too much time on compliance tasks and online modules, leaving less time to plan and deliver great lessons.
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Undervalued Experience: Mature-age professionals who retrain as teachers often start at the bottom of the pay scale, despite bringing decades of relevant experience.
A Teacher Who Changed My Life
Every one of us remembers a teacher who made a difference. For me, it was Miss Goss, my Year 12 Drama teacher. With just one line, “I think you should audition for the school musical,” she changed my life. That moment set me on a path to directing musicals, teaching theatre studies, and ultimately helping shape the future of learning.
Where Do We Go From Here?
If we want to fix education’s biggest crisis, we need to make teaching a profession that people actively want to pursue. Here’s where I believe we can start:
Respect Teachers: Ask them about their favourite classes, their students, and their passions, not just about their holidays.
Rebuild Pay Structures: Recognise and reward experience so teachers do not plateau after a decade.
Rethink Flexibility: Give teachers the same work-life balance options that other professions enjoy.
Cut Red Tape: Reduce administrative burdens so teachers can focus on what they do best, teaching.
Embrace Diversity in Classrooms: Ensure our schools meet the needs of all students, not just those who fit the traditional model.
Support Career-Changers: Value the experience mature-age professionals bring to the classroom.
A Call to Action
At the next election, look at what parties are offering for teachers, not just for education in general. Ask about teacher training, recruitment, and retention. If you know someone who wants to be a teacher, encourage them.
Because if we do not fix this now, who will teach the students of tomorrow?
I am grateful for the chance to share this message and for the incredible response from educators, parents, and community members who believe, as I do, that teaching is the best and most important profession in the world.
