Podcast: Teacher and Writer Gabbi Stroud on Why the Education System is Broken

Podcast: Teacher and Writer Gabbi Stroud on Why the Education System is Broken

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Former teacher, Gabbi Stroud talks to Cheryl Akle about her groundbreaking essay Teaching Australia, and her book Teacher that sprang from that. She discusses what kids need from their teachers, and why she believes the education system in Australia is broken.

About Gabbi Stroud:

In 2014, Gabrielle Stroud was a very dedicated teacher with over a decade of experience. Months later, she resigned in frustration and despair when she realised that the Naplan-test education model was stopping her from doing the very thing she was best at: teaching individual children according to their needs and talents. Her ground-breaking essay ‘Teaching Australia’ in the Feb 2016 Griffith Review outlined her experiences and provoked a huge response from former and current teachers around the world. That essay lifted the lid on a scandal that is yet to properly break – that our education system is unfair to our children and destroying their teachers.

Teacher is her powerful memoir inspired by her original essay, Gabrielle tells the full story: how she came to teaching, what makes a great teacher, what our kids need from their teachers, and what it was that finally broke her.

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                      Publisher details

                      Teacher
                      Author
                      Gabbie Stroud
                      Genre
                      Non Fiction
                      Released
                      27 June, 2018
                      ISBN
                      9781760295905

                      Synopsis

                      Watching children learn is a beautiful and extraordinary experience. Their bodies transform, reflecting inner changes. Teeth fall out. Knees scab. Freckles multiply. Throughout the year they grow in endless ways and I can almost see their self-esteem rising, their confidence soaring, their small bodies now empowered. Given wings. They fall in love with learning. It is a kind of magic, a kind of loving, a kind of art. It is teaching. Just teaching. Just what I do. What I did. Past tense. In 2014, Gabrielle Stroud was a very dedicated teacher with over a decade of experience. Months later, she resigned in frustration and despair when she realised that the Naplan-test education model was stopping her from doing the very thing she was best at: teaching individual children according to their needs and talents. Her ground-breaking essay 'Teaching Australia' in the Feb 2016 Griffith Review outlined her experiences and provoked a huge response from former and current teachers around the world. That essay lifted the lid on a scandal that is yet to properly break - that our education system is unfair to our children and destroying their teachers.In a powerful memoir inspired by her original essay, Gabrielle tells the full story: how she came to teaching, what makes a great teacher, what our kids need from their teachers, and what it was that finally broke her. A brilliant and heart-breaking memoir that cuts to the heart of a vital matter of national importance.
                      Gabbie Stroud
                      About the author

                      Gabbie Stroud

                      Gabrielle Stroud was a primary school teacher from 1999 to 2015. Now a freelance writer, her debut novel, Measuring Up, was published by Scribe in 2009. She is currently at work on her next novel.

                      Books by Gabbie Stroud

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                      1. Tif says:

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                      2. Terence Ruffin says:

                        Watching children learn is a beautiful and extraordinary experience. Their bodies transform, reflecting inner changes. Teeth fall out. Knees scab. Freckles multiply.

                      3. Elon says:

                        In the grand theater of life, the question of whether education is the key to success takes center stage. Can the pursuit of knowledge truly unlock the doors to prosperity? One might argue that education is the compass guiding us through the labyrinth of challenges, but it’s not just about where you start; it’s about the tools you have for the journey.

                        Enter Proctoredu, an unsung hero in the educational saga. Picture it as the silent guardian ensuring the sanctity of exams, a digital custodian equipped with a browser version that demands no extra plugins or extensions. It’s the Gandalf of exam integrity, whispering, “You shall not pass” to any academic mischief. The multi-device support is like having a sidekick, ready to assist on any device you wield, ensuring flexibility akin to a superhero’s acrobatics.

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                        If you’re curious about the glossary of terms surrounding this digital guardian, you might want to explore the Proctoredu glossary at https://proctoredu.com/glossary. It’s like unlocking the secrets of a cryptic language, demystifying the technological wonders that safeguard the integrity of your academic journey. In the realm of education, where knowledge is power, Proctoredu is the wizard’s staff, casting a spell of honesty and reliability.

                      4. Rafeal says:

                        This conversation with Gabbi Stroud really resonated. Her insights highlight so much of what educators experience behind the scenes — especially the emotional toll of trying to meet every child’s needs within a rigid system. As someone who works with students outside the classroom, I often see how performance pressures affect both learning and mental well-being.

                        One small way I try to help is by simplifying academic tools for students, like this academic performance calculator that helps them understand their grades without added stress. It’s surprising how something so simple can empower students to track progress and set realistic goals.

                        Thanks for sharing this powerful conversation — it’s one we need to keep having.

                      5. Heinrich Klaaseen says:

                        It’s honestly frustrating how much pressure both teachers and students face because of rigid grading systems and constant testing. Sometimes even simple resources like this Academic tool can help students track their grades more easily and stay a little less stressed about their academic progress.

                      6. Daniel Brooks says:

                        Gabbi Stroud raises an important point. Many education systems seem to focus more on grades, testing, and compliance than on genuine learning and critical thinking. Students often end up chasing numbers instead of understanding concepts. That’s why having access to helpful academic resources and student performance tools can make it easier for learners to track their progress while staying focused on their educational goals. Great discussion!