Until yesterday, I had been a committed NSW Department of Education Teacher for over 7 years.

It was after discovering, at the end of 2018, the real and significant inequality in teachers pay, that I began my own investigation. What I've since found is that there are hundreds, no thousands of teachers affected by this discrimination.  

In an attempt to seek answers from the Department of Education, I was told time after time 'yes we understand it's unfair, but there's nothing you can do about it', 'you're wasting your time', 'stop trying', 'yes, you can write a formal complaint, but nothing's going to change', 'it's legislation, you can't change it', 'federation and the government agreed on this, there's nothing you can do'. 

In a nutshell, new graduates, who begun their careers in 2016, are now (after 406 days teaching + accreditation) being paid upwards of $10,000 per year MORE than their more experienced colleagues for the SAME work.

If you are, or if you know of a NSW teacher who began their career between 2012 and 2015, it is very likely that they are one of the countless teachers negatively affected by the transition agreements to the new Standards Based Remuneration. 

I was shocked beyond belief, and so sick of being told there was nothing I could do about this issue I feel so strongly about. I decided I needed to take action and attempted to contact Mr Rob Stokes, The Minister for Education (also my local MP), only to be given a FORMAL code of conduct warning informing me that it was 'inappropriate for a teacher to contact the Minister for Education'.

After much deliberation, anxiety, sadness and tears, I decided my only option was to vacate my position as a teacher, and continue my pursuit as a private citizen.

Yesterday afternoon, I walked out the gates of the school that has been home for the past 25 years. The school I went to as a young girl, the school where I learned the ropes on my very first practicum, the school I've taught at on and off over the past 7 years. 

I felt completely unsupported by my principal, the director of educational leadership in my area, and The Department. It seems that any teacher who tries to speak up about this issue is being gagged. So I'm calling on you, the people of Australia to help be the voice for those who cannot speak. 

The ones who are dependent on their next pay cheque because they spend so much of their own money on resources for YOUR children. The ones who are bound by what the department deems appropriate. The ones who have mortgages and young families to support. The ones who can't afford to leave their jobs to fight for what is right. 

These young teachers who work so incredibly hard for your children, your grandchildren, your nieces and nephews. These young teachers deserve better.

The very least we can do is speak up and ensure they are paid equitably.