In honour of World Teachers’ Day, we sit down with Deb Summerhayes, Deputy Secretary, Public Schools, to celebrate the heart of our education system: teachers.

With more than 35 years of experience in public education, Deb shares her journey from English teacher to system leader. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her path and a former student who reminded her how one school excursion can change a life. 

Deb discusses why authenticity matters for early career teachers, how the syllabus anchors best practice and how explicit teaching can lift outcomes for every student. At the core of her story is a deep belief in equity – that a child’s postcode should never define their potential.

Grounded in intelligence, integrity and kindness, Deb offers practical advice for aspiring leaders, celebrates humour as essential to great teaching and pays tribute to the 95,000 NSW public school teachers changing lives every day. 

This episode is a heartfelt celebration of teachers – their passion, their purpose and their power to make a difference.

We acknowledge that this episode of the Teach NSW Podcast was recorded on the homelands of the Darug people. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples listening to the Teach NSW Podcast today.

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Resources and useful links:

• Teach NSW - become a teacher in a NSW public school and find out how a career in teaching can open doors for you.
• World Teachers’ Day - learn more about how World Teachers' Day is celebrated in NSW and how your school community can get involved.