Fully-funded, year-long support for regional and metropolitan teachers
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2026 National Teacher Mentorship, supported by the Australian Government and Teachers Mutual Bank.
Thank you to all teachers who applied from across Australia, who shared with us their unique challenges and ambitions. We are, as always, in awe of the work you do.
The following teachers will be joining us for specialist training at Bell Shakespeare HQ, Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay, in February 2026. On return to their school they will receive support and mentoring from the Company for one year. Congratulations from all of us at Bell Shakespeare - we can't wait to work with you.
2026 National Teacher Mentorship recipients:
Rosie Baxter, Canobolas Rural Technology High School, Orange, NSW
Alice Bellchambers, Reece High School, Devonport TAS
Emily Booth, Tweed Heads Public School NSW
Rebecca Caught, Lismore High Campus - The Rivers College, Casino NSW
Matthew Day, Glen Innes High School NSW
Ana Fuentes Diaz, Darwin High School NT
Paul Esmonde, Indie School Cairns QLD
Cath Ferla, Western English Language School VIC
Taylah Gillespie, Kingsford Smith School, ACT
Amanda Grace, Centralian Senior College, Alice Springs NT
Dana Hack, North Lakes State College, North Lakes QLD
Elissa Hiotis, Cardijn College, Noarlunga Downs SA
Anthony Holt, Bundaberg North State High School QLD
James Jackson, Euroa Secondary College VIC
Catherine Jean-Krista, Lake Tuggeranong College ACT
Amy Johnstone, Margaret Senior High School WA
Sandra Kallarakkal, Blacktown Boys High School NSW
Alexandra Klonaris, Campbell Street Primary School TAS
Alison McConnell-Imbriotis, MacKillop Education Waranara School NSW
Isabelle Miller, St Catherine's Catholic College, Singleton NSW
Haylea Nicholls, Eden Marine High School NSW
Nicole Perry, Warakirri College - South Campus, Campbelltown NSW
Emily Robinson, Lauderdale Primary School TAS
Jesse Rosenberg, Menindee Central School NSW
Alex Scott, Kyneton High School VIC
Kathy Shortland-Jones, Christmas Island District High School WA
Kylie Tate, Whitsunday Anglican School, Beaconsfield QLD
Sarah Taylor, Newhaven College, Phillip Island VIC
Elizabeth Taylor, Mabel Park State High School QLD
Caitlin Wood, Marsden State High School QLD
Supported by the Australian Government and Teachers Mutual Bank
Every year we welcome 30 teachers from across the country to Bell Shakespeare HQ in Sydney. We train them over four intensive days in innovative Shakespeare strategies, active learning principles, and teaching techniques to engage all learners across all year levels. Then, on return to their schools, we mentor teachers for the remainder of the year, providing support, guidance and resources as and when they need it.
It’s designed to strengthen your Shakespeare teaching arsenal, but teachers tell us the value of the mentorship program extends far beyond that.
It’s a program that allows teachers to engage deeply with their own learning and reflect on their practice; to be looked after so that for a few days, they can be a student again. It’s a program that reignites passion for teaching. It creates networks of support in a profession that can wear you down. The strategies we teach can be applied to any text, far beyond Shakespeare’s plays.
100% of alumni teachers reported that the mentorship program has had a positive impact on their teaching practice and improved their confidence in teaching Shakespeare. Similarly incredible results were demonstrated in the program’s impact on students and the wider school community.
Read the results of our Alumni Impact Survey to see the profound long-term impact of the program.
We’re looking for the next 30 teachers, at any stage of their teaching careers, who are ready to take up this opportunity to level up in their teaching. If this sounds like the program you need, and you can demonstrate the unique needs of your school and community, we encourage you to apply.
Please note, these dates are not inclusive of travel to and from Sydney.
To be eligible candidates must:
Teachers from regional and remote schools, and schools with diverse student populations, are strongly encouraged to apply.
See full terms and conditions here.
All travel, accommodation and Professional Learning expenses are provided. Breakfasts, lunches and one dinner are provided for the week of training. The only cost to the school is one week of relief teaching while the participating teacher is in Sydney for training.
Submissions for the 2026 National Teacher Mentorship have now closed. Successful teachers are listed above.
The National Teacher Mentorship is the gold-standard of professional development.
This course has been life and career changing. The education system needs this sort of program to continue so that teachers can be inspired or re-inspired to bring this sort of energy and knowledge into the classroom.
Marcia Bell is Secondary Mathematics Teacher and Wellbeing Coordinator at Bowraville Central School on the mid-north coast of NSW. Marcia was a Regional Teacher Mentorship recipient in 2021 and shares how she uses what she learned from the mentorship to teach her students build their confidence and believe in themselves.
Joan Fraser, Head Teacher of Secondary Studies at Binnaway Central School completed the Regional Teacher Mentorship in 2016. Joan's passion for regional teaching, her lifelong love of Shakespeare, and the support of the Mentorship has combined into innovative lessons in the classroom, embodying the language through movement and expression.
Melanie is the English Co-ordinator at Murrayville Community College, three hours east of Adelaide on the Victorian side of the border. After completing the Mentorship in 2016, Melanie brought what she'd learned back to the classroom, encouraging her students to have a positive mindset and have a go with whatever they’re faced with.
Emma Grant is Principal of Koorda Primary School, located three hours north-east of Perth. Since completing the Mentorship in 2018, Emma has seen firsthand how much her students now respond to learning Shakespeare and the impact these kids will have on her community in the future.