Who we are

Teachers CAN is a network that is led by us – young, transformative teachers – and taps into young teachers’ motivation to enable children to reach their full potential.

At the heart of our mission is the Teachers CAN Manifesto, which unites young teachers around five core values, namely that teachers are able to:

• Support learners to reach their potential in all aspects of their lives
• Engage as equals and for equality in schools
• Innovate and own school-wide teaching practices
• Play an active role in school structures
• Connect to a wider world of social change

Teachers Change Agent Network (Teachers CAN) is a DG Murray Trust (DGMT) initiative with a vision of seeing young teachers play a vital role in the education ecosystem. The network was established from the understanding that young teachers often enter the profession with high levels of motivation to enable every child in South Africa to reach their full potential. However, they work in challenging environments, where classrooms mirror South Africa’s broader inequalities. The network was launched in 2020 and is built on the following elements: A strong manifesto to drive a common purpose and national agenda. A fellowship for young teachers who are change agents. A broader network of young teachers and their allies who believe in and actively work towards ensuring that teachers can live out the Teachers CAN manifesto. While the conventional concept of the “education system” is predominantly hierarchical, with teachers often finding themselves at the bottom of the hierarchy, at Teachers CAN we see teachers as professionals who are able to ensure quality education by collaborating not only with each other but also with various people within the whole “education ecosystem”. Teachers CAN has evolved into a dynamic network committed to empowering teachers as change agents in their schools and communities. Since its inception, the Teachers CAN Fellowship has played a foundational role in shaping this movement, serving as a launchpad for a national network of educators driving meaningful transformation. However, as we shift our focus we have Currently launched the Multiplier Programme, a programme aimed at ensuring that a broader network of change agent teachers is reached and that they will drive the expansion of a network that is truly teacher-led.

Building the Fellowship and Growing the Network

Over four years, the fellowship successfully supported and graduated four cohorts, comprising 91 teachers from all nine provinces. These young educators embody the core values of teacher agency, innovation, and leadership, demonstrating the power of a connected and purpose-driven teaching force. By 2023 and 2024, Teachers CAN began shifting its focus towards network-building to ensure the longevity and reach of its impact. This led to the establishment of the Teachers CAN Alumni Committee, a group of elected fellows who provide strategic input and organise events to strengthen alumni engagement. Additionally, alumni began co-facilitating fellowship immersions, bringing real-time classroom insights into training spaces and reinforcing the value of peer learning.

Through this work, key lessons emerged:
– Teachers thrive in communities where they feel supported and connected.
– Sustaining teacher agency requires tools to prevent burnout and maintain motivation.
– Engaging with systemic issues empowers teachers to see themselves as leaders within education.
– Building partnerships with parents remains a challenge but is critical to holistic learner support.
– Teachers CAN members challenge the status quo and advocate for innovative, teacher-led solutions.

The Multiplier Programme: Expanding Our Reach

Recognising the need for a more scalable approach, Teachers CAN launched the Multiplier Programme, initially piloted in 2023 with 10 fellows and alumni. This initiative was designed to equip teachers with the skills and support needed to establish localised communities of practice and extend the impact of the Teachers CAN network. In 2024, the Multiplier Programme expanded, opening applications to all teachers up to the age of 40. Selected lead multipliers participated in an intensive, week-long training, preparing them to establish and facilitate Local Connect Zones—small groups of teachers dedicated to collaborative learning, peer support, and problem-solving. These zones meet monthly, using the Teachers CAN Manifesto to guide discussions and initiatives tailored to their specific school environments.

Through this model, teachers have begun organising community-based projects, school interventions, and advocacy initiatives, fostering collective action in their regions. Monthly virtual reflective sessions provide an additional space for lead multipliers to share experiences, exchange insights, and strengthen their leadership. By December 2024, the Teachers CAN network had grown to 254 teachers across 8 provinces, including 163 lead multipliers actively working in their communities. This expansion underscores the movement’s commitment to ensuring that every teacher has the support, tools, and community needed to lead change from within. Read more about the Multiplier Programme by clicking here: https://teacherscan.org.za/the-multipliers-programme/

Teachers CAN continues to evolve, driven by the belief that teachers are not just educators but powerful agents of transformation. Through our expanding network and deepening partnerships, we are building a future where teachers are at the centre of shaping South African education.