Teagan Spence, a graduate of the Master of Teaching (Secondary) Internship program at the Faculty of Education, is making waves in secondary education. Recently named a finalist for the 2025 Victorian Education Excellence Awards in the Outstanding Secondary Teacher category, Teagan has led an innovative literacy intervention program that is transforming outcomes for students with significant reading gaps.
In this Q&A, Teagan reflects on her time at the Faculty of Education, shares what she loves most about her role, and offers practical advice for current students as they prepare for placement and begin their teaching careers.
1.What course did you study at the Faculty of Education (then MGSE)?
Masters of Teaching - Secondary (Internship)
2.What do you remember fondly from your time there?
As part of the Internship course, I really enjoyed working closely with the lecturers to build my pedagogy. It was such an invaluable opportunity to be able to pick their brains and work intensely with them, as well as my peers.
3.What do you love most about your current role?
What I love most about my role as the Leading Teacher of Literacy Improvement is seeing students genuinely grow both academically and in confidence as a result of the targeted, structured supports we have put in place. Watching them progress academically, participate more, and feel proud of themselves is the best part of my job.
I also really enjoy the bigger-picture work: shaping programs, strengthening curriculum, and building staff capacity so that support is consistent and sustainable. And honestly, working with colleagues who are flexible, committed, and always thinking about what’s best for our students makes the work incredibly rewarding
4.What helped you most as a graduate teacher when you first started out?
What helped me most as a graduate teacher when I first started out was finding a mentor who not only supported me, but also encouraged me to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of. Having someone who understood the realities of the classroom and could offer practical advice made an enormous difference, but what mattered even more was that they didn’t simply give me answers. They asked questions, challenged my thinking, and nudged me to reflect on my decisions and try new approaches. Find someone who can be your champion.
5.What advice can you give current students about how they approach placement?
Come in with a willingness to apply behaviour management strategies from your first lesson. Don’t wait for the teacher to do it on your behalf.
If you try something and it doesn’t work, seek feedback and then try something new the next lesson. Don’t just focus purely on your academic side to the extent that you forget to ensure that students are following along with you.
The best lesson plan in the world will not benefit any student if you are not creating a safe and calm classroom.
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