In staffrooms across the ACT, a quiet revolution is taking shape, one built not on policy shifts or curriculum rewrites, but on connection. As classrooms and early learning centres evolve and the teaching profession grows ever more complex, two dynamic communities are bringing educators together like never before: the ACT Casual Teacher Network and the newly established ACT Early Childhood Teacher Network.
Together, they represent a powerful movement, one where collaboration, support, and shared expertise are transforming the professional lives of teachers across the Territory.
A Network Born from Need, Now Thriving
When the Casual Teacher Network first began in 2020, it was a modest initiative aimed at supporting a group often working in isolation. Casual teachers, frequently stepping into unfamiliar classrooms with little notice, face unique challenges that differ significantly from their full-time counterparts.
Fast forward to today, and the network has blossomed into a thriving community of practice, drawing teachers from across the ACT to meet once a term. These sessions have become a cornerstone of professional exchange, offering practical insights tailored specifically to the casual teacher experience.
“It’s not just professional learning, it’s about belonging,” one participant shared. “You join online knowing the challenges and you leave with strategies, confidence and a network you can rely on.”
What sets this network apart is its focus on real-world, relevant topics, issues casual teachers face every day. Recent sessions have explored everything from Cyber Safety and Teacher Wellbeing to navigating Professional Boundaries and maintaining registration requirements.
Some standout sessions have included:
- Positive Classroom Management for Casual Teachers – recognising that stepping into an unfamiliar class demands a different skill set
- Artificial Intelligence in Education – understanding emerging tools and their classroom impact
- Vaping, Youth and Health – equipping teachers to respond to growing student wellbeing concerns
- 10 Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy – reinforcing evidence-based teaching approaches
- Numeracy as a Lifelong Skill – connecting mathematics learning to real-world success
- Quick Connect: Inclusion Made Simple – practical tips for inclusive teaching on the go
Other sessions have tackled more complex issues, such as identifying and reporting suspicious online behaviours to help safeguard students, reinforcing teachers’ critical role in student protection in the digital age. The diversity of topics reflects one central aim: empower teachers with practical, actionable knowledge they can apply immediately, whether they’re in a classroom for a day, a week, or longer.
A New Voice for Early Childhood Teachers
Building on this momentum, 2026 has seen the exciting launch of the ACT Early Childhood Teacher Network, a dedicated space for educators working with the youngest learners.
Though only recently established, the network has already met twice and is gaining traction as a cross-sectoral community of practice, bringing together teachers and educators from preschools, early learning centres, and schools across the Territory. Its mission is clear: to provide targeted, high-quality professional learning that reflects the unique needs and expertise of the early childhood sector. Early feedback suggests the appetite is strong.
“Early childhood educators have always collaborated, but this network takes it to another level,” one attendee noted. “It’s about lifting the whole sector together.”
What makes both networks truly impactful is their shared philosophy: teaching is not done alone. These forums are not just about professional development, they are about building confidence, capability, and community. In an era where education is constantly shifting, whether through technological change, evolving needs of children and young people, or broader social challenges, these networks offer something invaluable: a place to pause, reflect, and grow together.
All teachers with an employment record of ‘Casual’ receive a personalised invite each term to the online session. All teachers holding Early Childhood Registration and those with an employment record at an Early Childhood Education and Care setting receive a personalised invite to the network each term. Further information can be found on the TQI ‘Events’ page of the portal.