What it’s really like to start teaching: Alumni share honest advice about the Leadership Development Program
8 May 2026 at 2:00:00 am
From career changers to recent graduates, three Teach For Australia Alumni share what it was really like stepping into the classroom for the first time - including the challenges, support systems and moments that shaped them as teachers.
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Just like there's no universal reason that people decide to become a teacher, there is no single experience of what it's like to stand in front of a classroom for the first time.
In our recent Alumni Q&A webinar, three Teach For Australia participants reflected on what it was really like entering the classroom through the Leadership Development Program (LDP): the nerves, the steep learning curve, the support systems and the moments that made it all worthwhile.
Hosted by Teach For Australia alum and Head of Alumni & Community Kitty van Cuylenburg, the conversation brought together Alumni from a range of backgrounds and school settings.
Trent, a former winemaker and career changer, spoke about moving into teaching after two decades in the wine industry.
“Allowing students to have success is a very meaningful and rewarding process,” he said. “It’s one of the most rewarding careers I’ve ever been involved with.”
Ghada, now a science learning area lead in regional Victoria, reflected on the challenge of relocating seven hours from home and building a new support network.
Meanwhile Eliza, who joined the program during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns, spoke candidly about balancing study, teaching and personal expectations.
“You can’t win teaching,” she said. “It’s really important to have balance and something that fills your cup.”
Throughout the webinar, Alumni discussed:
what the first months in the classroom are really like
balancing university study with teaching responsibilities
mentorship and support throughout the program
working in regional and low-SES school communities
how to prepare before entering the classroom
what kinds of people thrive in the program
One message came through consistently: no one feels fully prepared at the beginning, but support, adaptability and connection matter.
As Kitty shared:
“Teaching is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Watch the full webinar below to hear practical advice and honest reflections from Alumni who have lived the experience.