Teach NSW Podcast

S2 E19: On advice for pre-service teachers before day one in the classroom

Teach NSW Podcast

Show Notes

Are you a pre-service teacher navigating the early stages of your career? In this Season 2 finale, Shannon and Siobhan share key learnings from their own pre-service teaching days and the practical advice they wish they’d known. We dive into the questions on the mind of every pre-service teacher: how to find casual work, make the most out of your professional experience placements and even what to wear on day one. Shannon reveals her go-to resources (spoiler: the Teach NSW website is a goldmine) while Siobhan offers powerful phrases to add to your teacher toolkit. You’ll also hear about the exciting teaching opportunities in rural NSW and why stepping outside your comfort zone might be the best move you can make. And in the spirit of keeping it real, they open up about their biggest pre-service teacher regrets so you can learn from their experiences. Whether you’re preparing for your first placement or just starting your teacher education degree, this episode is your practical, go-to guide to thriving as a pre-service teacher. 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/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. Future Teacher Scholarships - explore scholarship opportunities with the NSW Department of Education, available for HSC students, university students and career changers. ‘Meet the Teacher’ template - download the ready-made and customisable template that you can use to welcome your students and their parents back to the 2026 school year. Pre-service Teacher Hub - access a digital hub connecting pre-service teachers, schools and ITE providers with professional experience placement resources. Rural Professional Experience Program - complete your penultimate or final-year placement in a rural or remote NSW public school. ClassCover - connect with local schools and get booked for casual teaching opportunities or apply for roles through ClassCover Jobs.

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.

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