Caitlin Cassidy

Caitlin Cassidy, an education reporter for Guardian Australia, delves into the troubling rise of bullying and misogyny in Australian classrooms. She highlights the alarming statistics revealing how these behaviors are driving teachers, particularly women, out of the profession. The conversation spans the role of social media and toxic masculinity in shaping student behavior, the shifting dynamics between teachers and parents, and the need for new teaching methods to combat declining attention spans. Cassidy emphasizes the urgent need for community support to enhance teacher retention.

Josh Butler, chief of staff for Guardian Australia, and education reporter Caitlin Cassidy delve into Jillian Segal’s controversial antisemitism plan in Australia. They discuss the bipartisan support for certain recommendations but also the chilling concerns related to free speech. Topics like educational reforms, social media regulation, and the response of the charity sector are examined. The guests highlight the delicate balance between combating discrimination and preserving open debate, focusing on the reactions from various community groups.