The Relief Teacher's Podcast by Tradewind Australia

For most relief teachers, the DO is your very first point of contact, the person who decides where you’re needed, how your day will run, and sometimes even whether you get the call in the first place. Building a strong relationship with a Daily Organiser isn’t just helpful — it’s essential for thriving as a CRT. But what exactly does a Daily Organiser do all day? How do they juggle the chaos, the timetables, the last‑minute changes, and the endless stream of emails? And what do they wish CRTs knew? This week, we sit down with a genuinely brilliant, highly experienced Daily Organiser who lifts the curtain on life behind the scenes. You’ll get unparalleled insight into how schools really operate, what makes a CRT stand out, and how to make a DO’s day (and your own) run a whole lot smoother. Whether you’re new to relief teaching or a seasoned pro, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Professional Development OpportunityProfessional learning may include:• seminars, conferences, workshops and online learning• collegiate meetings and professional conversations focused on improving practice and outcomes for learners• participation in education-related boards, committees or panels.This episode focuses on:Australian Professional Standards for Teachers6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice7.1 Meet professional ethics and responsibilities7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements7.4 Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communitiesLooking for work? Submit your CV Looking for quality teachers?If you would like to use Tradewind’s teachers in your school, please call 1800 192 195 or send your details to us and we will be in contact shortly.

Delivering lessons as a CRT can feel daunting—especially when you’re teaching outside your subject area or walking into an unfamiliar school. In this episode, we focus on how to successfully run lessons and manage classrooms across a wide range of settings. We talk through practical strategies for engaging students, establishing expectations quickly, handling low-level disruption, and keeping learning on track even when the plan is thin or unclear. Whether you’re in your comfort zone or well outside it, this episode is about staying calm, credible and in control in any classroom.Professional Development OpportunityProfessional learning may include:• seminars, conferences, workshops and online learning• collegiate meetings and professional conversations focused on improving practice and outcomes for learners• participation in education-related boards, committees or panels.This episode focuses on:Australian Professional Standards for Teachers1.2 Understand how students learn 1.3 Students with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds 2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area 2.2 Content selection and organisation 3.1 Establish challenging learning goals 3.2 Plan, structure and sequence learning programs 3.3 Use teaching strategies 3.4 Select and use resources 3.5 Use effective classroom communication 4.2 Manage classroom activities 4.3 Manage challenging behaviour 4.4 Maintain student safety 4.5 Use ICT safely, responsibly and ethicallyLooking for work? Submit your CV Looking for quality teachers?If you would like to use Tradewind’s teachers in your school, please call 1800 192 195 or send your details to us and we will be in contact shortly.

Whether you’re new to CRT work or looking to sharpen your approach, this episode focuses on practical, realistic ways to start the year strong. We talk through the importance of punctuality, how to quickly work out what really matters in a new classroom, what to ask and who to ask, and how to show initiative without overstepping. We also share the small but powerful resources that experienced CRTs carry to make any day run more smoothly. If you want to feel more confident, prepared and in control as a relief teacher, this is a great place to start.Professional Development OpportunityProfessional learning may include:• seminars, conferences, workshops and online learning• collegiate meetings and professional conversations focused on improving practice and outcomes for learners• participation in education-related boards, committees or panels.This episode focuses on:Australian Professional Standards for Teachers1.1 Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students  1.2 Understand how students learn2.5 Literacy and numeracy strategies2.6 Information and Communication Technology (ICT)3.1 Establish challenging learning goals3.3 Use teaching strategies3.4 Select and use resources4.1 Support student participation4.2 Manage classroom activities4.3 Manage challenging behaviour4.4 Maintain student safety7.1 Meet professional ethics and responsibilitiesLooking for work? Submit your CV Looking for quality teachers?If you would like to use Tradewind’s teachers in your school, please call 1800 192 195 or send your details to us and we will be in contact shortly.

Relief teaching often gets framed as the lesser of two options, but that is simply not the case and this week, we flip that narrative. Whether you’re an experienced teacher returning to the classroom, a new graduate finding your feet, or an overseas teacher on a working holiday, being a CRT can offer flexibility, variety, fast skill-building and genuine career momentum. We unpack the real advantages—professional, personal and lifestyle—and share why for many teachers, casual relief work isn’t a compromise at all, but a smart, strategic choice. If you’re curious about CRT life or already living it, this episode will give you fresh perspective and practical reassurance.Professional Development OpportunityProfessional learning may include:• seminars, conferences, workshops and online learning• collegiate meetings and professional conversations focused on improving practice and outcomes for learners• participation in education-related boards, committees or panels.This episode focuses on:Australian Professional Standards for Teachers 4.1 Support student participation 4.2 Manage classroom activities 4.3 Manage challenging behaviour 4.4 Maintain student safety 6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice 6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice 6.4 Apply professional learning and improve student learning 7.1 Meet professional ethics and responsibilitiesLooking for work? Submit your CV Looking for quality teachers?If you would like to use Tradewind’s teachers in your school, please call 1800 192 195 or send your details to us and we will be in contact shortly.

In this episode, we speak with Bianca Baron, Tradewind’s National Early Years Manager, about the wide range of opportunities for teachers and educators across early years, kindergartens and OSH care. Bianca also highlights Tradewind’s strong focus on child safety and the growing incentives and career pathways available in regional settings.For anyone interested in the early years sector, this is a must-listen.Looking for work? Submit your CV Looking for quality teachers?If you would like to use Tradewind’s teachers in your school, please call 1800 192 195 or send your details to us and we will be in contact shortly.

In this episode, we take a behind-the-scenes look at Tradewind with senior consultant Brad Flowers, who supports teachers and education support staff working across alternative education settings. Brad highlights the wide range of opportunities available in specialist schools, special development schools and special assistance schools for disengaged students.If you’re considering expanding your work options in 2026, this episode is the perfect entrée. Tune in—your next career opportunity might be just around the corner.Looking for work? Submit your CV Looking for quality teachers?If you would like to use Tradewind’s teachers in your school, please call 1800 192 195 or send your details to us and we will be in contact shortly.

In this episode we take a behind the scenes look at Tradewind and speak to Clare Wilson, senior consultant for Melbourne’s Western Region. Clare speaks about her role as both a consultant working in schools, working to support CRTs and most importantly about how CRTs can maximise their opportunities in 2026. Clare is a former classroom teacher and brings a wealth of experience to the role.Looking for work? Submit your CV Looking for quality teachers?If you would like to use Tradewind’s teachers in your school, please call 1800 192 195 or send your details to us and we will be in contact shortly.

In the first of the summer sessions of the Relief Teacher Podcast we speak we turn the mic toward our own producer, Taylor Roche.Taylor shares how he came to Tradewind, what he loves about producing the podcast, and why our outside broadcasts—especially those in alternative settings—are a highlight of his work. He also gives a glimpse into what really makes a podcast successful: genuine passion.A warm, engaging behind-the-scenes conversation you won’t want to miss.Looking for work? Submit your CV Looking for quality teachers?If you would like to use Tradewind’s teachers in your school, please call 1800 192 195 or send your details to us and we will be in contact shortly.

In this end-of-year episode, we wrap up the major issues that shaped schools in 2025—from staffing pressures and shifting curriculum priorities to explicit teaching and the growing role of digital literacy. Our panel reflects on what these changes meant for Casual Relief Teachers and how the profession adapted.We also look ahead to 2026: how will the social media ban play out, what will the new EBA mean for teachers and schools, and how will growth corridor schools manage the growing challenges of behaviour and attendance.As well as some tips on making the most of your holidays.Looking for work? Submit your CV Looking for quality teachers?If you would like to use Tradewind’s teachers in your school, please call 1800 192 195 or send your details to us and we will be in contact shortly.