Exploring the Impact of Coaching Training on Retaining Early Career Teachers in Australian Schools

Teacher retention is a persistent challenge in the Australian education system, with many early career teachers leaving the profession within their first few years.

This project investigates how structured coaching programs—particularly those delivered through digital platforms—can strengthen teacher capability, confidence, and commitment to the profession.

By focusing on the design and impact of coaching training, the research aims to identify strategies that improve teacher satisfaction and reduce attrition rates.

Project Team

• Amy Cotton
  Amy Cotton is an experienced education leader and researcher with a strong background in teacher professional learning and workforce development. As the founder of CES, she has led numerous projects focused on improving teacher capability, mentoring, and digital learning design. Amy’s expertise lies in designing evidence-based professional learning programs that enhance teacher retention and support early career educators through innovative coaching and mentoring frameworks.

• Dr Keith Heggart
  Dr Keith Heggart is a senior lecturer in the School of International Studies and Education and director of the Centre for Research on Education in a Digital Society at the University of Technology Sydney. His research focuses on teacher education, digital learning, and civic engagement. Keith has extensive experience in developing online learning environments and exploring how digital tools can enhance professional learning communities. His work brings a critical lens to the use of technology in education, ensuring that digital mentoring and coaching practices are both effective and equitable.

• Dr Andrea Stringer
  Dr Andrea Stringer is an educator, researcher, and professional learning specialist with expertise in coaching, mentoring, and teacher growth. Her research explores how coaching practices can empower teachers to reflect, collaborate, and improve their professional practice. Andrea has worked extensively with schools and education systems to design and implement coaching programs that foster teacher agency and wellbeing. Her contribution to this project ensures a strong focus on relational and reflective aspects of mentoring.

Background

Early career teachers often face significant challenges as they transition from pre-service education to full-time teaching. High workloads, limited support, and the pressures of classroom management can contribute to burnout and early exit from the profession. Coaching offers a targeted, developmental approach that helps teachers refine their practice, set professional goals, and build resilience.

With the increasing integration of digital tools in education, online coaching has emerged as a flexible and accessible way to provide professional support. This project explores how digital coaching programs can be designed to meet the diverse needs of teachers across different contexts, including rural and remote schools.

Research Questions

• How do existing coaching models in Australian schools support early career teachers?

• What are the perceived benefits and challenges of an online coaching training program for coaches?

• How does participation in a structured online coaching program influence the retention rates of early career teachers?

Research Design

The research will follow these broad movements:

• audit of existing coaching models

• design of an online training program for coaches

• interviews with coaches and early career teachers

Our Research is On-going!

This research is currently underway and will continue through to the end of Term 1, 2026.

The project is actively exploring how structured coaching programs—particularly those delivered online—can enhance the professional experience and retention of early career teachers in Australia. As data collection and analysis progress, the findings will provide valuable insights into effective coaching practices and inform the development of sustainable, evidence-based strategies to support teacher growth, wellbeing, and long-term commitment to the profession.

Partnership with Professional Teachers’ Council NSW

To expand access and ensure high-quality professional learning opportunities, this project is being delivered in partnership with the Professional Teachers’ Council NSW (PTC NSW). Through this collaboration, the online coaching course will be hosted on the Open Learning platform, providing an engaging and accessible environment for educators across Australia.

PTC NSW brings extensive experience in supporting teacher professional development and accreditation, ensuring that the course aligns with national teaching standards and meets the needs of educators at different career stages. Hosting the course on Open Learning allows participants to engage flexibly, collaborate with peers, and apply their learning in real-world contexts.

This partnership strengthens the project’s reach and impact, enabling the research team to deliver a high-quality, evidence-informed program that supports teacher growth, professional confidence, and long-term retention in the education workforce.