Dr. Cale Bain

What will my child walk away with?  Stronger storytelling instincts and the ability to explain, in their own words, why a piece of writing or a story actually works. I want students to leave able to construct a clear argument and a compelling narrative, and to know the difference between the two.

What can families expect?  A teacher who insists that every student, in their own way, is genuinely involved in their own learning, including me. I bring a newsroom’s attention to clarity along with an improviser’s comfort with getting things wrong out loud.

What does class actually feel like?  Playful but purposeful. I use techniques from years in comedy and improv theatre to get students comfortable taking creative risks with language, then we bring that energy back to sharpen their actual writing.

How do you challenge a curious mind?  I ask students to pull apart how stories, jokes, and arguments are built, not just what they say. Curious kids respond well to questions like ‘why does this line land’ more than to grammar rules alone.

Credentials and Experience  I hold a BA in Economics and Philosophy, an MA in Journalism, and completed my PhD on the interface between comedy and journalism in 2022. As an adjunct professor at the University of Technology Sydney, I co-developed a Media Studies major, taught journalism and communications, and earned teaching awards for inclusive pedagogy. I was also Founding Artistic Director of Improv Theatre Sydney and taught improvisation at the National Institute of Dramatic Art.