Teach NSW Podcast

S1 E12: On living, teaching and making a difference in rural NSW

Teach NSW Podcast

Show Notes

Have you ever considered what it would be like to live and teach in rural NSW? If so, this episode is for you. Tune in as we speak to Daniel, a science teacher in a NSW public school about his experiences of living and working in a rural town and the benefits he has gained in both his professional and personal life. After completing a Bachelor of Science, Daniel made the decision to pivot to a career in teaching and applied for the NSW Department of Education’s teach.Rural Scholarship. As a successful scholarship recipient, Daniel received financial support whilst he completed his Master of Teaching, and a guaranteed position in a NSW public school. Daniel shares how his family came to the decision to move to rural NSW, their positive experience of being welcomed into the community (including becoming an avid squash player) and the professional opportunities he has received to build his teaching career. By working in a smaller school setting, Daniel has been able to expand his experience outside of the science faculty and work towards accreditation in other subject areas whilst also creating meaningful connections with his students. If you are interested in seeking a tree-change, don’t miss out on Daniel’s wise advice and how he overcame common misconceptions associated with moving to a rural town. We also discuss the department’s programs on offer and the benefits and incentives available for future and current teachers. We hope you enjoy this episode. We acknowledge that this episode of the Teach NSW Podcast was recorded on the homelands of the Darug people. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening to the Teach NSW Podcast today. Connect with us If you would like to provide feedback or suggestions for future episodes, please contact [email protected] to get in touch with the Teach NSW Podcast team. Follow the Teach NSW team on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and YouTube to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Resources and useful links Teach NSW - become a teacher in a NSW public school and find out how a career in teaching can open doors for you. Get paid to study - register your interest to receive information on scholarship and program opportunities available with the NSW Department of Education. Rural Professional Experience Program - learn how you could be supported by the department to complete your professional experience placement in a rural NSW public school. Beyond the Line Program - learn about the Beyond the Line Program where the department takes eligible pre-service teachers on an expense-paid five-day study tour to experience teaching in regional, rural and remote NSW public schools. Teacher subsidies, allowances and bonuses - find out more about the financial support and incentives available to teachers who teach in a rural NSW public school.

More from Teach NSW Podcast

Oct 14, 2026

In this episode, we’re joined by public school teachers and University Partnership Leads, Sanaa and Joel. Both took different paths into education and now support the next generation of teachers as University Partnership Leads. They share how their own experiences with inspiring teachers led them to the profession, what they’ve learned about the power of relationships and lifelong learning and how the University Partnership Lead model provides tailored mentorship, connection and support to future teachers from university through to the classroom and beyond. We acknowledge that this episode of the Teach NSW Podcast was recorded on the homelands of the Darug people at Parramatta Public School. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples listening to the Teach NSW Podcast today. Connect with us If you would like to provide feedback or suggestions for future episodes, please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get in touch with the Teach NSW Podcast team. Follow the Teach NSW team on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Resources and useful links: Teach NSW - become a teacher in a NSW public school and find out how a career in teaching can open doors for you. University Partnership Leads - if you are currently studying to become a teacher, connect with your dedicated support network on campus and receive guidance and personalised support as you prepare for your career in teaching. ALARM Education - use the practical teaching and learning framework that delivers real impact on lifting student literacy outcomes, including explicit teaching scaffolding. Beyond the Line Program - complete an expenses-paid, 5-day study tour with the department through regional, rural and remote NSW public schools. Career Connections Program - experience teaching opportunities in high-demand NSW public schools and build connections with Australia’s largest employer of teachers. JobFeed - a weekly update of permanent and temporary teaching and non school-based teaching service positions in NSW public schools. Rural Professional Experience Program - complete your penultimate or final-year placement in a rural or remote NSW public school.

Sep 17, 2026

In this episode, we’re joined by Aimee, an experienced NSW public school teacher passionate about creating inclusive and future-focused learning environments through the purposeful use of technology. Aimee discusses how digital tools can amplify student voice, support engagement, create more accessible learning opportunities and the importance of connecting technology with strong pedagogy. She shares insights into building teacher confidence, supporting diverse learners and thoughtfully navigating emerging technologies. We acknowledge that this episode of the Teach NSW Podcast was recorded on the homelands of the Darug people at Parramatta Public School. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples listening to the Teach NSW Podcast today. Connect with us If you would like to provide feedback or suggestions for future episodes, please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get in touch with the Teach NSW Podcast team. Follow the Teach NSW team on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Resources and useful links: Teach NSW - become a teacher in a NSW public school and find out how a career in teaching can open doors for you. Canva - a free online graphic design tool for creating engaging visual content. Google Forms - a Google Workspace tool for creating forms and surveys to collect data and gain insights. High potential and gifted education (HPGE) - find out more about the Inspire - HPGE policy and how it promotes engagement and challenge for every student in every school. Inclusive and accessible learning - explore accessible technology resources designed to meet the diverse learning needs of students. Magazine.T4L - discover the online resource designed for teacher use in the classroom and staffroom, including the Beginning Teacher Technology Guide. NSW EduChat - explore the department’s generative artificial intelligence tool, providing staff and students with a safe and secure way to explore the benefits of generative artificial intelligence. Performance and Development Plan (PDP) - find out more about the process for teachers and school leaders to grow and develop their teaching and leadership practice. Seesaw - a platform that brings teaching, learning and communication into one place. stem.T4L Learning Library - access trial kits, resources, professional learning and support for all schools across NSW Education Technology for Learning - discover the technology resources, learning library and events available to teachers and students.

Sep 2, 2026

In this episode, we’re joined by Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) teachers Melissa and John, who share what makes TAS such a dynamic and rewarding subject area. From hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving to the broad range of subjects and career pathways it offers, they discuss the diverse opportunities, flexibility and lasting impact that make TAS teaching a fulfilling career for educators passionate about preparing students for life beyond the classroom. We acknowledge that this episode of the Teach NSW Podcast was recorded on the homelands of the Darug people at Parramatta Public School. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples listening to the Teach NSW Podcast today. Connect with us If you would like to provide feedback or suggestions for future episodes, please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get in touch with the Teach NSW Podcast team. Follow the Teach NSW team on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Resources and useful links: Teach NSW - become a teacher in a NSW public school and find out how a career in teaching can open doors for you. Beyond the Line Program - complete an expenses-paid, 5-day study tour with the department through regional, rural and remote NSW public schools. Enhance your career - explore the program opportunities to retrain in a high-demand subject area with the NSW Department of Education. Statewide Staffrooms - connect and share advice, resources and learnings with other teachers in NSW public schools.

Aug 19, 2026

In this episode, we’re joined by Anita, an experienced educator and High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) Adviser, to discuss all things HGPE. We learn about the Inspire program and how schools can apply the HPGE Policy when supporting students to reach their potential. We also discuss practical approaches for identifying and supporting high-potential students, including explicit teaching, differentiation and advanced learning pathways, as well as the future of HPGE across NSW. We acknowledge that this episode of the Teach NSW Podcast was recorded on the homelands of the Darug people at Parramatta Public School. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples listening to the Teach NSW Podcast today. Connect with us If you would like to provide feedback or suggestions for future episodes, please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get in touch with the Teach NSW Podcast team. Follow the Teach NSW team on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Resources and useful links: Teach NSW - become a teacher in a NSW public school and find out how a career in teaching can open doors for you. Differentiation adjustment tool - find out how to differentiate for the specific learning and wellbeing needs of high potential and gifted students through 9 adjustments. HPGE policy information - learn more about the HPGE Policy and how it promotes engagement and challenge for every student in every school. High potential and gifted education NSW Statewide Staffroom - connect and share advice, resources and learnings with other teachers in NSW public schools. The Inspire program - find out how the Inspire program is strengthening opportunities for students to be challenged and supported in NSW public schools. HPGE Professional Learning - access evidence-informed high potential and gifted education (HPGE) professional learning to support leaders and teachers (staff only). ALARM Education - use the practical teaching and learning framework that delivers real impact on lifting student literacy outcomes, including explicit teaching scaffolding.

Aug 6, 2026

In this episode, Nick Magriplis, Director of Public Schools, joins us on the couch to reflect on his career journey, shaped by a passion for literature, language and the belief that every young person deserves access to a high-quality public education. Nick shares how his experiences across diverse school communities have shaped his leadership, reinforced his commitment to equity and student voice and why supporting every young person to thrive remains at the heart of his work. We acknowledge that this episode of the Teach NSW Podcast was recorded on the homelands of the Darug people at Parramatta Public School. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples listening to the Teach NSW Podcast today. Connect with us If you would like to provide feedback or suggestions for future episodes, please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get in touch with the Teach NSW Podcast team. Follow the Teach NSW team on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Resources and useful links: Teach NSW - become a teacher in a NSW public school and find out how a career in teaching can open doors for you.

See all episodes →