In this special episode, Teacher Editor Jo Earp and Kristen Douglas from Headspace discuss disaster preparedness for schools as we approach the summer season in Australia. It includes a look at the 3 phases when disaster hits – preparation, response and recovery – how educators and school leaders can help families prepare, and wellbeing supports for students, teachers and school leaders.

‘Supporting principals is not an end in itself: it is an investment in the schools they lead and the communities they serve.’ A new report has taken a closer look at who school leaders across the OECD are, what makes them valued, why this matters, and how to best to support them.

Teachers play a vital role in shaping the people we become. To celebrate World Teachers’ Day this year, we asked 5 educators to ‘tell us about a teacher that helped to shape the person you are today.’ 

Thinking back to your own school years, it’s likely there were key friends you relied on for support. But it’s not just close friends who make a difference. New research from South Australia suggests that, when it comes to building resilience among adolescents, being part of larger peer groups is just as important.

At Teacher, we love hearing from our audience about the positive impact their teaching is having on students in their settings. It’s not just teachers and school leaders that we hear from. Teacher reader and school parent Barbara Vieira contacted the editorial team to share the impact a teacher had on her daughter and her achievements in STEM.

Careful planning and preparation lay the foundation for strong teaching and learning, positive school culture, and sustained improvement throughout the year. Anthony Hockey, Principal of St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Williamstown, Victoria, shares how his school prepares for a successful start to each new year. From welcoming new students, inducting staff and completing essential maintenance, to refining improvement priorities – the work begins well before the first bell rings.

In ‘Teaching Strategies in the 21st Century, Where to Now?’ Dr Loretta Bowshall-Freeman, Dr Rozi Binte Rahmat and Michael Colbung discuss the complex challenges faced by pre-service and early career teachers. This exclusive extract for Teacher readers shares strategies for preparing for a new teaching role.

‘Community collaboration does not need to begin with a new program or excursion. Often, the simplest starting point is creating a small, clear role for an organisation within something your school already does.’ Churchill Fellowship recipient Dr Luke Steller, Questacon Regional Leader for the NT, shares 6 practical ways educators can build stronger school-community partnerships.

Recorded live at the National Education Summit in Melbourne, Dominique Beech sits down with Professor Miriam Tanti from La Trobe University to find out about the research she and her colleagues have been conducting into the science of learning and Generative AI which has culminated in a free, practical guide for secondary school teachers. 

Our 2026 reader survey opened today! Take a few moments to let us know your feedback on Teacher magazine and what you’d like to see from us in the future. If you’re based in Australia, you’ll also go into the draw to win a $550 book bundle from Amba Press.