Online professional development helps rural teachers stay inspired - and in the classroom

Kevin is a dedicated teacher based in Emerald, a rural town in Central Queensland where professional learning opportunities are few and far between. Working in a community with a low ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) rating and classified as RRR (regional, rural, and remote), Kevin’s commitment to his students goes well beyond the classroom.

Kevin teaches Visual Arts to Years 10, 11, and 12, and Design and Technologies to Years 7 and 9. Like many teachers in remote areas, he faces a harsh reality: accessing professional development often means sacrificing valuable classroom time and taking long, expensive trips just to participate in a single learning session. His most recent PD required a six-hour round trip to Rockhampton - one of the closer options available. Travel to Brisbane takes even longer, pulling him away from students and increasing the strain on already limited school resources.

For Kevin, however, continued learning is non-negotiable. He believes deeply in the power of holistic education and the need to inspire students to think beyond the pathways most commonly associated with rural life - mining, farming, and trades.

“It’s important for students to see the big picture and think critically about the future,” he says. That’s why Kevin integrates STEM into the Arts, encourages creative problem solving, and uses Cool.org’s curriculum-aligned resources to bring real-world issues into the classroom - especially around social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

Now, with the launch of Cool.org’s new online professional development platform, Kevin sees a real shift on the horizon. He’s hopeful that it will not only reduce travel time and financial pressure, but also empower more remote teachers to access quality training without leaving their communities.

As Cool.org continues to expand its professional development offerings, we’ll be following Kevin’s journey to see the impact it has - not just on his teaching practice, but on the confidence and future pathways of the students he supports.