I hope 2026 is off to a strong start, and that your coffee order is just as strong! (mine’s a long black with milk on the side – my tiny shield against the day’s to-dos).
As teachers and leaders, you hold a unique superpower; to shape the experiences, confidence and curiosity of every learner you meet. That influence is profound, and it’s helping you to unleash that superpower that drives everything that we do at AITSL. Our unwavering focus is to support you to reflect and grow; and to provide practical tools that make a real difference in your classrooms, schools and early learning settings.
One of the things I often keep coming back to is the power of human connection. In the end, children and young people may not remember every lesson plan or assessment; they remember the adults who believed in them, who challenged them thoughtfully, and who helped them see their potential. It’s that care and support, that shapes lives.
In 2026, we’re keeping 3 things at the centre of our work for you: confidence, capability and connection. Confidence in your professional expertise. Capability to navigate the rapidly changing world of teaching and leadership. And connection – to your peers, your learners, and your communities – because we know teachers and school leaders flourish when they feel supported and part of a wider professional network.
This edition of AITSL Mail brings together practical guidance and insights to help you do just that. You’ll find resources for you to use, regardless of what stage of your career you are in, reflections on leadership, and tools to make your everyday work more effective and rewarding.
Tim on The Art of Teaching podcast
To hear more from Tim, check out his recent appearance on The Art of Teaching podcast. It’s a thoughtful conversation about leadership at scale, the complexity of education systems, and what it takes to build structures that truly support teachers, schools and children and young people.
Making the most of teaching assistants
Teaching assistants are central to supporting student learning, particularly for students with disability. Clear guidance, role clarity and strong collaboration make a real difference for learners, teachers and schools.
Two evidence-informed resources now available on our Grow in 2026 page that offer practical, actionable advice:
Advice on defining roles, planning and collaborating effectively.
Evidence-informed recommendations to optimise impact across schools.
Improving middle leadership in practice
Middle leaders play a pivotal role in improving teaching and learning across schools. With the Australian Professional Standards for Middle Leaders nationally agreed by all Education Ministers late last year, many schools are now exploring how the Middle Leader Standards can be used to inform middle leadership development.
Two new short animations are available to support this work:
- How the Middle Leader Standards were developed – offering insight into the thinking, consultation and evidence that informed them.
- How to use the Middle Leader Standards in practice – practical guidance on applying them in everyday middle leadership roles.
These resources are designed to support reflection, shared understanding and professional conversations, helping you engage with the Middle Leader Standards in ways that make sense for your context.
A tool to support culturally responsive reflection
Featured on our
Grow in 2026 page, the Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness Self-Reflection Tool provides a structured way to reflect on your self-awareness, worldviews, assumptions, attitudes, beliefs and biases in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, languages and cultures.
The tool guides you through critical reflection with prompts to consider how your perspectives may influence teaching practice and learner outcomes. You’ll receive a report highlighting a starting point for further development, with links to the relevant capability framework.
The tool takes around 30 minutes and can be used individually or through the group function to support whole-school or leadership-led professional learning. It’s an excellent way to set intentions for professional reflection and culturally responsive practice in Term 1.
Explore the Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness Self-Reflection Tool
Shaping the future of First Nations education
A new National First Nations Education Policy is being developed to support First Nations learners across their education journey from early childhood through schooling and into post-school pathways.
The policy is being co-developed by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC) and the Australian Government Department of Education.
NATSIEC is leading community-led consultations, including in-person workshops and an online survey. Participation is open only to First Nations people, ensuring First Nations voices are at the centre of the policy’s development.
Strengthening the teaching profession through evidence-informed insight
By bringing together insights from initial teacher education to retirement, ATWD paints a clearer picture of the teaching profession. It highlights trends, experiences, and challenges, providing leaders, policymakers, and teachers evidence to guide practical decisions.
Celebrating Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers
A record number of teachers across Australia are being recognised as
Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers (HALTs). Our team is currently preparing certification pins and letters to mark this significant professional milestone. Congratulations to all newly certified HALTs!
Each teacher certified reflects deep professional reflection, sustained and impactful practice, and meaningful influence within schools and communities. It’s a powerful recognition of expertise that strengthens the teaching profession as a whole.
You might also have noticed South Australian teacher Mr Luke sharing his journey towards Highly Accomplished teacher certification on Instagram, offering a glimpse into what national teacher certification looks like in practice. Good luck to Luke, and to all the teachers and leaders working towards certification this year. We’re cheering you on.
That was a lot! A bumper edition, but we hope it’s a helpful way to get grounded and feel supported as Term 1 takes off.
“Here’s your reminder to stop and just breathe.
You’re doing better than you think.”
📅 Dates for your calendar
21 February: Mother Language Day27 February: Schools Clean Up Day3 March: World Wildlife Day8 March: International Women’s Day28 February–8 March: SeaWeek 11–23 March: NAPLAN testing16–22 March: Harmony Week17 March: AITSL Mail in your inbox day!
