2025 AEU New Educators Conference
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 131 No 1, 20 February 2026, page no 14.
Brisbane was the host of the 2025 AEU New Educators Conference in November, which brought together union activists in their first five years of teaching from all over the country. Here are some of the Queensland delegates’ impressions.
AI: a considered approach
Facilitated by QTU Research Officer Craig Wood, this workshop focused on supporting teachers in using artificial intelligence (AI) in education in a responsible and informed way.
Craig introduced the QTU’s Artificial Intelligence Decision Making Framework, a practical and easy-to-use guide that uses a clear traffic light system to help teachers and schools think through AI use across four key areas:
- ethical responsibilities of teachers, schools, and education systems
- curriculum and pedagogy
- products and platforms
- workplace health and safety considerations.
This approach encourages educators to pause and reflect on when and how AI tools should be used, recognising both the opportunities AI can offer and the potential risks. It also reinforces the importance of keeping student wellbeing, professional standards, and system responsibilities at the centre of decision-making.
Nicola Young, Ormeau Woods State High School
International panel
Hearing the experiences of representatives from the Fiji Teachers Union and the Samoa National Teachers Association was both affirming and confronting. Many of the challenges they described echoed our own in Australia, including workload pressures, teacher shortages and limited school resourcing, while others were shocking, such as class sizes of up to 50 students. What stood out most, however, was their unwavering passion for the profession, their positivity in the face of significant challenges, and the pride they took in representing their unions and associations.
Kate See, Hughenden State School
Combating disinformation in the modern age
Van Badham’s keynote exposed disinformation as a deliberate tool used to divide communities, weaken unions, and undermine democracy. She showed how big business and political actors use tactics like the “big lie” — repeating outrageous falsehoods until they are believed — and trauma baiting — activating primal emotional responses to override logic and shape public opinion, as seen in the Voice referendum and anti-union campaigns.
Badham’s message is clear for educators: defend truth, teach critical thinking, challenge false narratives, and refuse to spread misinformation.
Liam Rogers, Marsden State High School
Cultural safety in the workplace
Day 2 opened with a session from Michael Beale, the QTU First Nations Officer, who explored the meaning of cultural safety and why allyship matters.
Cultural safety requires the creation of an environment in which staff and students from diverse cultural backgrounds feel respected, valued and free from discrimination or racism. It goes further than cultural awareness or sensitivity because it requires workplaces to ensure they never diminish or disempower a person’s cultural identity.
An important takeaway was the concept of the Colonial Load: the expectation that First Nations peopleshould be the experts on all topics and should carry the responsibility for events such as NAIDOC Week or giving every Acknowledgement of Country. Michael encouraged us to share the load, listen deeply and approach this work with intention and in local context.
Elizabeth Gee, Pine Rivers Special School
What an amazing few days it was!
Getting to meet new educators from all over Australia (and even other countries!) is an experience I won’t forget anytime soon. Seeing and hearing the stories of all these amazing educators and the challenges they have overcome left me feeling inspired and excited to get back to my school and start using some of the knowledge I picked up.
If you’re a new educator, I cannot recommend enough reaching out to your local Organiser and getting involved in the New Educator Network (NEN) community, the friendships and connections you make will help guide you for years to come.
Ben Judson, Wide Bay Area