Supporting the growth and development of returning teachers
The Teacher Re-Engagement Initiative (TREI) supports returning teachers through placements of up to 40 days in Victorian government schools to:
- build teacher's confidence and readiness to return to the school workforce,
- support schools with a range of needs including mentoring of provisionally registered teachers, student learning where appropriate, and
- alleviate the pressure of the current workforce and serve as a recruitment opportunity for schools and returning teachers where there are suitable vacant positions.
TREI will support the return of the following teachers:
- Teachers on a career break with no ongoing connection to a school, including teachers with provisional, full and non-practicing VIT registration.
- Newly retired teachers. Registered teachers, retired within the past 1 to 3 years, who schools wish to engage because of their experience and skill.
TREI Process
The department encourages principals to identify and offer placements to returning teachers in their community or professional networks who have been out of the teaching workforce for greater than 1 year. Alternatively, principals can register their interest for TREI and be matched with returning teachers who expressed an interest through the Returning Teacher Support Service (RTSS).
Principals and returning teachers will negotiate a placement of up to 40 days to be completed within one semester, subject to school quotas. Principals will determine teachers’ activities during their placement and will need to consider the best way to support the teacher to return to the school workforce.
TREI is designed to help returning teachers re-familiarise themselves with the school environment. Returning teachers will receive support and mentoring which will provide a reintroduction to the school environment and to observe the day-to-day life of a teacher who will mentor them throughout their placement.
TREI provides the opportunity for returning teachers to experience what it is like to be in a school through support, mentoring and observations. Engaging a returning teacher is a beneficial experience for both the school and the returning teacher, contributing to the growth and development of the education sector.
Expression of Interest
To participate in the initiative, please complete the most relevant expression of interest (EOI) form below:
- Joint EOI: if your school has identified and agreed on placement arrangements with a known returning teacher in your community, submit a Joint .
- School EOI: if you are a school and yet to find a returning teacher, complete the School and we will search for a returning teacher from the RTSS.
- Returning Teacher EOI: if you are a returning teacher and yet to find a school, complete the Returning Teacher and we will search for a school.
Teachers on extended parental leave
Teachers that have been on extended parental leave for greater than 2 years are able to access up to 40 days temporary to support their transition back to work at their base school. Once the returning teacher and their base school have determined the arrangements of a placement, a Joint EOI form (above) should be completed. Please contact the team for further information.
Contact
For further information about the TREI, please contact us at returningteachers@education.vic.gov.au
Reviewed 19 September 2023