Interview by Liv Williams
A Reception teacher by day and content creator by night, Luke balances morning dance breaks, dinosaur debates, and a classroom where curiosity rules and laughter is basically a learning outcome.
In Mr Luke’s world, learning isn’t about neat lines or perfect answers; it’s about messy magic. Picture laughter, glitter (probably on the floor), a “No Drama Llama” motto, and a teacher who believes mistakes are where the best lessons live.
For Luke, joy isn’t just part of the curriculum, it is the curriculum. Whether he’s wrangling glue sticks without lids, mastering a handstand, or reminding his tiny legends that learning is “the bomb dot com,” Luke has turned the classroom into a joyful, slightly chaotic, and always magical place to be.
We chat with Luke about connection in the classroom, curiosity, and keeping the heart of learning alive.
Let’s start at the beginning; who is “Mr Luke” when you’re not in the classroom or online?
When I’m not in the classroom or posting about it, I’m usually chasing a bit of calm. I love yoga (currently trying to master a handstand without falling into a wall), going to the beach, and pretending I’m good at keeping plants alive. I also love live music. It’s not exactly calm, but it’s definitely joyful. I’d like to say I’m slowing down, but I’d be lying. I tend to move at full speed most of the time. Life’s good though, in the class, online, outside the class, and offline.
What first drew you to teaching? Was it something you always imagined doing, or did it find you along the way?
You could say teaching is in my blood. Both my grandparents were teachers, so maybe it was inevitable. Growing up with a younger brother, I loved helping him learn new things too, even back then. In Year 9, unlike most Year 9 boys, I would go along to my aunt’s “Mums and Bubs” club because my cousin was that age, and I just wanted to help out. I did try to fight destiny for a minute in Year 12 though, thinking I’d study property development at university because that’s where the money was. I had no clue about property development, by the way. Fun fact. But after a year of realising there was zero passion there, I switched into an education degree and never looked back. Teaching isn’t just a job for me, it’s a career, a calling, and something I genuinely love.
Can you remember a moment early in your career when you thought, “Yes, this is exactly where I’m meant to be”?
There isn’t one single moment that made me think, “This is it.” Honestly, there are hundreds. Each year, sometimes each day, something happens that reminds me why I do what I do. When you see a student read for the first time, do something independently, or light up because they finally get it; that’s the magic. When your little legends say “thanks for teaching me,” or give you one of those proud smiles, it hits you all over again. That sense of I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Was there a teacher from your own school days who shaped the kind of educator you wanted to become?
Shout out to Mr Fitzgerald, my first male teacher, and Mrs Ebert, my Year 6 and 7 teacher. They built relationships first, taught second, and that stuck with me. They both had this calm confidence that made learning feel safe and fun at the same time. I remember laughing with Mr Fitz a lot—I couldn’t even tell you what about, but that year was full of joy. And Mrs Ebert? I often think about how she built such strong, caring relationships with us all. I still remember our morning chats about Survivor (which was all the rage back then). There were plenty of other great teachers too. I was really lucky to have a wonderful mix throughout my schooling. Fun fact: I went to three primary schools and a new high school every single year!
If someone walked into your classroom for the first time, what do you hope they’d notice or feel straight away?
I hope they’d feel joy straight away. Our classroom has this mix of calm and chaos that just works. I hope you’d see kids laughing, learning, and helping each other. There’s a real sense of belonging, like everyone’s part of something special. By all means it might be a little noisy, with a buzz in the air, but that often means learning is happening. I hope you’d see tiny humans who genuinely love being here.
You wear a few creative hats – teacher, author, content creator. What’s the common thread that ties all those roles together?
I think it’s connection. Everything I do comes back to that. Whether it’s in the classroom, through a book, or online, my goal is always to connect; whether it be with kids, families, other teachers, or the community. I love taking something that might seem small, like a classroom moment or a random thought, and turning it into something that makes people feel seen or inspired. Teaching, writing, creating… I guess it’s all storytelling in different forms. That’s the thread that ties it all together. That, or just the unknown chaotic feeling of having no idea what I’m doing.
You describe learning as “messy magic.” What does that look like in real life?
It’s when things aren’t perfect, but they’re real. (What is perfect these days? I have no idea!) The classroom might look a bit chaotic. There’s talking, movement, and sometimes glue sticks without lids. But you can feel the learning happening. Messy magic is when kids are exploring, asking questions, taking risks, and figuring things out, on their own or with support. It’s the moment they go from “I can’t” to “I can,” even if it took a few hiccups to get there. I think learning isn’t meant to be neat, it’s meant to be lived, enjoyed, and fun.
How has your online community of parents and teachers influenced the way you create?
I wouldn’t say the online community influences what I create as much as it gives me a space to share what I enjoy making. Most of the time, I just make content that feels fun or meaningful in the moment. Every now and then, people will ask for more info or explanations about something like reading or phonics, and that sparks a few specific videos. But honestly, there’s not much structure behind it all (maybe there should be!). Half the time I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m definitely enjoying myself, and I think that’s pretty important.
Your Magic Library series is growing fast, with Ocean Adventure already out and Dinosaur Trail on the way. What first sparked the idea for the picture book series, and how did you choose those themes?
It’s growing fast, and I still can’t quite believe it exists to be honest. The idea first sparked from something really simple and relatable taking my little legends to the library each week. I’ve always loved how that ties into literacy, because libraries are places where everyone belongs. Reading can take you anywhere, and I wanted to capture that sense of magic. As a teacher, being able to also say I’m an author, and that the books I write are about magic books… I mean, I’m living the dream over here!
How do you help children – and adults – see the value in making mistakes and learning from them?
I think mistakes are one of the best teachers we have. They help us grow, adapt, and understand the world around us. Somewhere along the line, people started believing mistakes are bad or something to avoid, but they’re really just signs that you’re learning. I always remind my students that learning isn’t a race. Everyone’s on their own journey, and we’re all making our own version of learning mess. The most important thing isn’t getting it right straight away, it’s about making progress and moving forward. And if we’re learning and growing, that’s the bomb dot com.
What’s been your proudest “teacher moment” so far?
That’s a tough one because there have been so many proud moments. It’s not always the big things either. Sometimes it’s when a student who’s been struggling finally reads a sentence on their own, or when a shy little legend gets up and shares their work with the class for the first time. Those are the moments that hit me. I think my proudest moments are when I see my students believe in themselves, because that confidence often lasts far beyond the classroom. That’s when I know I’ve done something that matters.
If you could reimagine education in one big way, what would you change?
I’m so lucky to work in a team and at a school that’s supportive and wonderful, with parents and a community who I believe genuinely value education and respect teachers. Quite simply, I experience joy every day at my school. But I know not everyone has that, and it’s something I never take for granted. One thing I know a lot of teachers share though, and that continues to be talked about in the media, is the growing pressure and workload.
For some teachers, it’s easy for joy to slip through the cracks when there’s so much to manage. That’s why I think we need to protect the heart of teaching, the relationships, the creativity, and the spark that makes learning feel alive. If I could change anything or reimagine education in one big way, it would be to ensure all teachers are supported and joy is protected, because when that happens, everyone wins. When teachers are thriving, students always will too.
In one sentence, what do you believe every child deserves from their learning experience?
Every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported to grow into who they are, not who they’re expected to be.
How do you bring a sense of wonder into your classroom day-to-day?
When you teach five- and six-year-olds, wonder is everywhere. They’re naturally curious, so my job is to keep that spark alive. I try to make learning feel like play, where it’s safe to ask big questions, make mistakes, and be silly along the way. We turn lessons into adventures, stories, and hands-on discoveries. Whatever the learning opportunity, I want my tiny humans to feel that learning is fun, exciting, and full of “wow” moments. At this age, they have so much to learn and so much curiosity. I just try to give them the space to explore it.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give parents about supporting learning at home?
One piece of advice I’d share with parents is to recognise just how much their own value of education shapes their child’s attitude toward learning. Kids learn from what they see. When they see you valuing school, asking about their day, celebrating reading, play, and curiosity, it sends a strong message that learning matters. Education doesn’t start and stop at the school gate, and teachers can’t do it alone. Parents and caregivers play such an important role in helping children see the joy and purpose in learning. It really does take a village, and when your child is enrolled at school, in a way, you are too.
And finally, what’s the best part about being “Mr Luke”?
The best part about being “Mr Luke” is that I get to do something I genuinely love every single day. I get to teach, laugh, and learn alongside the tiniest, funniest, most honest humans on the planet. There’s nothing quite like seeing the world through their eyes. And beyond the classroom, being “Mr Luke” has opened doors to share that same joy and connection with so many others around the world. It’s wild, it’s fulfilling, and it still feels a bit surreal that this is my job.
Mr Luke’s Magic Library
Mr Luke’s love of reading and tiny legends inspired his Magic Library series. He’s already whisked readers away on an Ocean Adventure and now sends them stomping through Dinosaur Trail.
Mr Luke’s Magic Library books are available online and at your favourite bookstores.
RRP $19.99
Fast facts + Fun with Mr Luke
Favourite classroom snack: Sesame Snaps Dark Chocolate (highly addictive).
Ocean or dinosaurs — which world would you visit first if you could? Dinosaurs. Only because I feel like I can visit the ocean anytime.
One song that always boosts your mood before teaching: Levels by Avicii (a classic).
Most used phrase in your classroom: “No Drama Llama.” (Or “Do you want me to cut it off?” if there’s been a little injury).
If you could invite one children’s book character to dinner, who would it be? Bluey. No question. But it would be a dinner that my entire class is invited to as well.
Plant you’d never trust yourself to keep alive again: Calatheas and I are not friends.
If your teaching philosophy were a hashtag, what would it be? #TeachingIsTheBombDotCom
Morning person or night owl? Morning. Early to bed, early to rise.
Coffee order: Double shot oat latte.
Most used emoji: 🕺
If you weren’t a teacher, you’d be…? Working in a plant store.
Describe your classroom vibe in three words: Joyful. Fun. Magic.
If your students wrote your superhero name, what would it be? Seeing as I work with five-year-olds, it would probably be something like Captain Smelly, Luke Pukey, or Super Stinky.
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