John Southon, principal of Trundle Central School (K-12) in western NSW, Australia, takes this pod to a context we’ve not yet explored – what it’s like teaching out of field in a rural school. Once you travel 5km away from this site, the internet stops.

John left high school early and “functionally illiterate”, then took the long road to teaching.

He says OOFT is core business for teaching: “look at the title of the role – ‘teacher’”, he says. John explains how he supports OOF teachers and hooks into distance ed for expert teachers elsewhere. This is teaching done differently going by the school’s motto: ‘A challenging & learning environment’.

This pod was recorded on the lands of the Wiradjuri people in Central West NSW, Australia. I pay my respects to their elders, past, present emerging here on this land and on the lands on which you listen to this pod. Please note, the views expressed in this interview are those of the speakers, not necessarily the institutions for which they work or study at. Links: https://trundle-c.schools.nsw.gov.au/

NSW education department’s Rural Experience Program

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teach-nsw/enhance-your-career/rural-experience-program?gclid=CjwKCAjws7WkBhBFEiwAIi168-0mEkWHX9ItFLA8Wy4t3_pEO84jqyJjmLhc37ADlFZS53I5Vtyw3RoC_CkQAvD_BwE

An Australian Council for Education Research report says in remote locations more than a quarter of high-school classes are taught by an OOFT compared to 14% in metropolitan areas. (Weldon, 2016)

https://research.acer.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=policyinsights#:~:text=THE%20REPORT%20IN%20A%20NUTSHELL,-In%20this%20report&text=About%2016%20per%20cent%20of,per%20cent%20in%20metropolitan%20locations.