1. Why outstanding graduates should teach For australia

2. 01
the Problem

3. it’s a cold reality that where
a child is born in australia
determines the quality
of their schooling and
prospects for life.
Live in the wrong postcode and quartile4, compared to 42% year6. That’s the equivalent of a
7/10
you’re behind the educational from the top quartile5 permanent American recession.
eight ball straightaway. Tragically,
Educational inequity is real. It’s Back home, the number of kids
you’ll fall further behind as the
happening here, it’s happening who give up and drop out of high
terms and years go by.
now and it’s preventing school every two years could fill
• If you live in a low-income Australia’s children living the the MCG7. The facts are urgent
community, by Year 9 you’ll lives they could and should. and confronting and leave us, indigenous students
be two to three learning as citizens and human beings,
Fail basic
It limits the choices they can
years behind your highest- with a clear choice.
make, the jobs they can get
income peers1
• If you’re indigenous, you’ll
and the income they can earn.
It weakens the families they
We can reject responsibility and
leave accidents of demography
literacy tests2
most likely fail basic literary are a part of and the and geography to plot the
tests (7 out of 10 do)2 communities they live in. future of tens of thousands
• If you live in a very remote
region, more than half (51%)
of your classmates won’t
It even diminishes the prospects
of the children they themselves
are yet to have.
of Australian children.
Or we can believe that change
is possible, and that we can be
only
15%
of university students come
meet minimum Year 9 part of that change. from the lowest SES (socio-
Educational disadvantage
reading standards3 economic status) quartile 4
undermines entire countries too. Are you up for it?
• Only 15% of university students In the United States, a McKinsey
come from the lowest SES & Co study puts the cost to that
(socio-economic status) country at US$500 billion each

4. 02
Who Will
lead?

5. teach For australia is a
movement of committed
individuals who can foresee
a country where all children
have excellent educational
opportunities.
It is a simple yet radical aim. It’s an ambitious goal. But After the two years, as Alumni,
Radical, because it requires combine your determination you’ll have opportunities to rise
change from every level with the tools we provide, and to positions of influence across As an Associate, you
of society. we believe you can do it. Whilst a spectrum of sectors. Some become part of a lifelong,
Such change must be led by
you teach, you will also earn will stay on in the classroom as global movement of more
people impassioned by social
your Postgraduate Diploma in teachers while others will take than 20,000 leaders.
justice and the belief that all
Teaching from some of the best on leadership roles in business, Competent, passionate,
children can learn. People,
academics in the country. law, government, education socially aware people
perhaps, like you. And as you learn to teach,
and social policy. just like you, who share
you also learn to lead. You’ll As an Associate, you become part
a powerful common
Teach For Australia recruits
take part in our pioneering of a lifelong, global movement
experience and a single,
outstanding graduates from
Leadership Development of more than 20,000 leaders.
ambitious goal.
non-Education disciplines
Program, receiving training, Competent, passionate, socially
and prepares them to teach
coaching and networking aware people just like you,
in some of our most
opportunities that increase who share a powerful common
disadvantaged high schools.
your impact inside and experience and a single,
Over the two-year program beyond the classroom. ambitious goal.
our teachers (called ‘Associates’)
work together to tackle educational
inequity student-by-student,
and class-by-class.

6. 03
the Path
to change

7. From socrates and Plato to
dumbledore and harry Potter,
the story of the transformational
teacher and the student has been
continuously told and retold.
This story shows the teacher A concurring study concluded Similarly, a study by the
as leader. The teacher with an that a high performing teacher University of Manchester
ambitious vision for the student could lift a student more positively correlates the number A CALDER study in
that is realised through careful than 50 percentiles over three of Teach First (UK) participants
the United States found
cultivation and investment years (compared to a low in a school with significantly
in that student. In this story, performing teacher)9. improved student outcomes11. that Teach For America
the teacher plans purposefully, Associates have 3 times
In other words, the keys Education is the key to the
teaches with verve and efficacy
to addressing educational advancement of any society,
the effect on student
and continuously reflects upon achievement as teachers
disadvantage are not donations, but the quality of an education
and improves his or her work
to achieve outcomes.
new buildings or the latest system cannot exceed the quality with 3 or more years’
laptops, but passion, imagination of its teachers. By becoming experience10.
Evidence now tells us this and the relentless pursuit the transformational teacher
is the right approach for real- of excellence. we believe you can be, we believe
world results. you can also be a real part
So as a Teach For Australia
of the solution.
A 2008 meta-study of 80 million Associate, can you become
students around the world one of these transformational
(directed by Melbourne Graduate teachers? The evidence says ‘yes’.
School of Education’s Professor
A CALDER study in the United
John Hattie) found ‘positive
States found that Teach For
teacher-student interaction’ to
America Associates have
be the single most important
3 times the effect on student
factor in better learning8.
achievement as teachers with
3 or more years’ experience10.

8. 04
beyond the
classroom

9. the leadership skills you
develop within the classroom
can take you far beyond it.
As an Associate, you’re given Alumni from our affiliated
opportunities for professional organisations overseas have
development, to network gone on to set up charities, write “Successful people in “This is a program that
with your peers and to access books, explore the creative arts engineering and IT need prepares top graduates
influential supporters. and have outstanding careers more than excellent technical to succeed whilst doing
in law, medicine, commerce knowledge; they need great something that matters.
As the accompanying testimonials
and other pursuits. Many choose interpersonal skills, passion Our support for Teach For
show, our partners recognise
to remain in education as teachers and top leadership qualities. Australia will give us access
and value the extraordinary
and leaders, or take on roles in We search for graduates to proven leaders, thinkers
leadership required to be an
setting education policy. who are passionate about and communicators.”
Associate. If you already have an
their work and feel their
employment offer, or prefer the Most importantly, Alumni -Tom Von oerTzen,
ideas have the potential recruiTing ParTner and
security of having one, there are continue to be engaged with
to change the world. managing direcTor,
a growing number of prestigious the mission, building on a
These are the exact qualities the boston consulting grouP
graduate employers with deferral movement that will one day
programs already in place. ensure all children will have that Teach For Australia
an excellent education. Associates exhibit.”
Whether you decide to continue
-alan noble,
teaching, or aspire to a career
engineering direcTor,
in business, social policy or google
elsewhere, Teach For Australia
helps develop the skills and build
the support you need to excel.

10. 05
the nuts
and bolts

11. teach in a disadvantaged
secondary school for two
years, with ongoing support,
mentoring and training.
Your journey begins with an Of course, you’re fully paid
in-residence, six week intensive – for the work you do and given
the first of many you’ll undertake time release for professional There’s an extensive
with our partner, the University development and study. support network:
of Melbourne’s Graduate School
There’s an extensive support Training and Leadership
of Education. Once complete,
it’s straight into the classroom.
network: Training and Leadership Advisors, university
Advisors, university specialists specialists and in-school
Participating schools are located and in-school mentors –
mentors – experienced
across several states and experienced teachers with the
territories, in rural, remote and skills and capacity to support teachers with the skills
metropolitan settings. you along your journey. and capacity to support
While some scope is given to At the end of your two-year
you along your journey.
personal preference, demand commitment you’ll be an
for your particular skills and exceptional teacher and
passion is the key determinant leader. You’ll have also earned
for school selection. This may a Postgraduate Diploma in
mean that your school is not Teaching. And believe us,
close to home. We encourage you will have earned it!
you to be flexible and open
about this.

12. 06
the social
netWork

13. it’s a tough gig at times,
but you’re never alone.
By the time you finish your initial Farther afield, you’ll find that Teach First, in the United
six-week intensive you’ll have you’re now part of a global Kingdom, is ranked 7th in the
formed bonds and friendships network spanning 18 countries, Times High Fliers Top 100 One in ten of all Ivy
with your fellow Associates, called Teach For All. Like Teach Graduate Recruiters. They
some of which will last a lifetime. For Australia, each of these currently have over 800 teachers
League graduates
affiliate organisations enlists in five regions and close to 1,000 apply to the Teach
You’ll likely be in a school and
region with other Associates,
their most promising future Alumni who have completed For America program.
leaders to expand educational the program, over 40 per cent
getting together to plan, reflect
opportunity. of whom are already in school
and socialise.
leadership roles.
Teach For America is the oldest
You’ll be in regular contact with
with two decades of experience, Elsewhere, from Chile to China,
Teach For Australia, and build
over 7,000 teachers in the Bulgaria to Brazil, India to
deep relationships with your
classroom and 28,000 alumni Argentina, thousands of global
Training and Leadership Advisor
who continue to engage with Associates and Alumni are there
and in-school mentor.
the mission. One in ten of all Ivy to cheer you, challenge you and
League graduates apply to the share the ambition.
Teach For America program.

14. 07
current
associates
iWan Walters Iwan studied a Bachelor of Arts
(First Class Honours) at the
all my pre-existing hopes and
expectations. My professional
University of Melbourne. Iwan and personal experiences
2010 associaTe is an Associate in regional have validated my decision
Victoria and is currently in his to become involved in the Teach
second year of teaching. The For Australia program and
“I have been inspired by the first twelve months have been to live and work in a rural area.
realisation that investment in a pleasant surprise.
I am very grateful to have
students as learners and people “My experiences as a beginning had these experiences and
teacher and as a Teach For to be involved with Teach
can result in sustained and Australia Associate have been For Australia.”
quantifiable personal growth overwhelmingly positive and
enjoyable. While challenging,
and academic progress.” they have been exciting,
rewarding and have surpassed

15. katy Fernandez Katy studied a Bachelor of Design
(Architecture) and then a Master
20 kids in a Friday afternoon,
I can handle a boardroom
of Media Practice (both at The and I can handle whatever
2011 associaTe University of Sydney). She is next for my career.
was also the president of the
In terms of the program and
Student Union at the University
“I feel really privileged to of Sydney from 2006-2007.
the skill set it offers the
opportunity is three-fold. It’s
be a part of this group of This year, she’s teaching Visual not only the opportunity to
individuals who all want Arts and Media Studies in the make a difference, but to
to make change happen… Western Metropolitan Region develop as a leader in the
of Melbourne. classroom and as a leader in
to make that practical whatever I choose to do next.”
“I think the skills that you learn
difference in the lives of in the classroom are transferable
young people.” to any sector, so I feel confident
that if I can handle a group of

16. 08
selection
criteria

17. there’s no “ideal” candidate
profile. We simply look for
leaders who have the qualities
to create change. in the
classroom and beyond.
In 2010, fewer than 10% of We look for evidence of
applicants were successful in the following;
becoming an Associate.
• Leadership and achievement In 2010, fewer than
Partly because our selection 10% of applicants were
• Resilience and a relish
process is very rigorous and
for challenge
successful in becoming
partly because the stakes are too an Associate.
high to admit anyone other than • Strong critical thinking skills
the highest-quality candidates.
• Superior organisational and
The success of Teach For motivational ability
Australia’s mission depends
• The ability to communicate
entirely on the integrity,
and work with people from
passion and commitment
a variety of backgrounds
of the person in front of
each classroom. • Humility and an openness
to learn from others
Consequently, we seek leaders
who will have a wider impact on Think you tick these boxes?
the students they serve and the Then turn the page to find out
communities they’re a part of. how to apply!

18. 09
hoW do i
sign uP?

19. like our program,
the teach For australia
application process is
intense but rewarding.
Got you interested? Brilliant. We’ll take the most outstanding
applicants from this stage
First step is to talk to us on
campus, visit our website or
(including you, hopefully)
and work to match you to
aPPly noW:
do the old-fashioned thing
and call us up for a chat.
a school where your passion, Visit teachforaustralia.org for details
knowledge and leadership
skills are most needed.
and application dates.
When you’re ready, go to our
website and submit an online If you’re successful from here,
application. You’ll need to provide congratulations!
some information about your
background, education and why You’ve just joined the most
you want to take part. ambitious leadership program
in Australia.
The next step is a phone interview
where you’ll speak directly with a
Teach For Australia staff member.
If that goes well, you’ll be
invited to attend a Selection
Day where there’ll be more
interviews, a group case study,
a teaching lesson and a problem
solving activity.

20. endnotes
teachforaustralia.org
1. Program For International Student Assessment
(PISA) 2009
2. NAPLAN 2009
3. NAPLAN 2009
4. Measuring the Socio-Economic Status of
Higher Education Students, DEEWR, 2009
5. DEEWR Higher Education Statistics Collection,
2007 and ABS SEIFA 2006
6. The Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap
in America’s Schools, McKinsey & Company
2009
7. ABS, Schools Australia, 2008
8. Making learning Visible - John Hattie. Auckland
University, 2009
9. Source: Sanders & Rivers; McKinsey; OECD;
Lankford, Loeb, & Wyckoff, 2002
10. Making a Difference? The Effects of Teach
For America in High School, CALDER, Urban
Institute 2009
11. Maximum Impact Evaluation: The impact of
Teach First teachers in schools, University of
Manchester 2010
Supported by the
Australian Government