How online schools can help to stem the teacher exodus
In an era of dire teacher shortages, one school has found the secret to retaining and rewarding its valued educators
When she was a student at Haileybury in Melbourne, Dayna Schinz remembers teachers sparking her sense of curiosity about the world — especially in the science laboratories. So, after Dayna graduated in 2007, she decided to become a teacher so she could awaken that same curiosity in students.
Dayna became a Year 7 and 8 Mathematics teacher and then Head of Middle School Mathematics at Haileybury’s Brighton and Keysborough campuses.
After having a baby, Dayna wanted to continue to teach but needed greater flexibility in when, where and how she taught. She now teaches Year 9 and 10 Science and VCE Biology at Haileybury Pangea, the school’s online campus. She delivers her lessons and supports her students from her home office on the Mornington Peninsula.
“After having my son, I never returned to teaching on-site,” she says.
Haileybury Pangea is a completely online campus that teaches students from Years 5 to 12 across Victoria and the Northern Territory. Dayna was one of its founding teachers.
She says that no longer having to commute to and from school each day, and being able to teach from home, have created the flexibility she needed to stay in the profession. Teaching online also allows her to make the most of the Peninsula lifestyle.
“I can maximise my mornings by getting a head start on the day, balancing family duties and organising my workflow,” says Dayna.
Typically, Dayna conducts live teaching sessions from 8.45 am to 10.25 am and from 2.00 pm to 3.45 pm. In between, she checks in with students, posts lesson summaries and self-paced work instructions, marks work, provides feedback and organises one-on-one academic support for students who need some extra help. Her days are as full and complete as if she was working on campus.
“The flexibility of teaching online has definitely been a key factor in helping me stay in the profession”Dayna Schinz
“I love being at home with my three-year-old son and having greater control over my schedule. I’ve been able to maintain a healthier work-life balance, manage family responsibilities and still focus on the parts of teaching that I love – supporting students, creating engaging lessons and collaborating with my colleagues.”
At the start of this year, according to federal Education Department predictions, Australia was struggling with a shortfall of around 4,100 teachers. The 2024 Australian Education Union State of Our Schools survey found 83 per cent of schools were navigating a teacher shortage.
Heavy workloads, stress, burnout, and lack of work-life balance and flexibility have been highlighted as contributing to the exodus from teaching. Joanna Baker, Head of Campus at Haileybury Pangea, says offering teachers the option to teach online from home is an effective strategy for keeping experienced educators in the profession.
Haileybury Pangea has a dedicated Digital Learning team that upskills teachers and provides ongoing support to those who switch from a traditional classroom to an online classroom.
“At a time of teacher shortages and when the profession is less attractive to many young people, increasing flexibility for teachers and allowing them to carve out a greater work-life balance are critical,” says Joanna.
“Teachers are looking for more flexibility in their schedule and that’s not always possible in an on-campus setting. I think schools have to look at how they can provide teachers with greater flexibility and autonomy – and perhaps that is through using the kind of technologies used in online schools that mean teachers don’t always have to be on-site.
“The flexibility that comes with teaching in the online classroom supports teachers who are also parents of young children and allows them to return to work sooner, if they choose to. It also helps retain the talents and expertise of educators who are seeking a sea or tree change, because where you teach from is no longer a limiting factor.”
After returning from London in 2016, Bethany Bekker taught across several of Haileybury’s campuses in Melbourne. However, when her daughter was born in 2023, Bethany and her partner wanted to live closer to her parents.
They both wanted to relocate to the coast, but Bethany didn’t want to sacrifice teaching and lose her position at Haileybury and sever the connection with her students. Her dilemma was solved when Bethany transitioned to teaching Legal Studies and Business Management at Haileybury Pangea. She works from an office at her coastal home.
“Once I knew I could teach for Haileybury Pangea, it made the decision to move so much easier,” she says.
“It has been empowering to know that I can still be part of this school while making some big life decisions for my family. Returning to work after maternity leave can often be a challenge when trying to balance everything — the flexibility of online teaching has really helped me continue doing what I love. It’s also given me an opportunity to upskill.”
Bethany is also a Deputy Head of House at Haileybury Pangea, so she has a pastoral support role and works with students who need extra support and care.
“Teaching online has afforded my family and I so much more flexibility than a bricks and mortar campus – particularly helpful in this season of life with a toddler!” she says.
Haileybury is inviting teachers to join one of two upcoming Teacher Open Days — either online on Thursday, 31 July, or in person at the Keysborough campus on Saturday, 2 August. Senior leaders from Haileybury Pangea (online campus), Haileybury Rendall School in Darwin, and Haileybury Tianjin (China) will speak about the opportunities available.
Register now for Teacher Open Day
In Person Teacher Open Day
When: Saturday, 2 August, 11.00 am-1.00 pm Where: Haileybury Keysborough campus – Senior School, 855 Springvale Road, Keysborough
Register NowOnline Teacher Open Day
When: Thursday, 31 July, 5.00 pm-6.00 pm Where: link will be provided when registered
Register Now
