About Jacques
Helping people think clearly and act with calm
Meet Jacques Retief
Jacques Retief is an Australian educator, author and founder of Retief Libris Publishing. His work brings together classroom experience, curriculum leadership, human behaviour, resilience and practical philosophy, all pointed at one thing: helping people respond to pressure with clarity, composure and dignity.
He began in the classroom and never strayed far from it. Over the years he moved from teaching into curriculum leadership and system-level advisory work, and today leads an Arts and Home Economics department. Every role taught him the same lesson: teachers, leaders and families do not need more theory, they need help they can actually use.
Living and working across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, before settling on Australia's northern coast, deepened that view. Different schools, cultures and systems challenged his assumptions and taught him to listen carefully, keep an open mind and respond to change with composure. That habit of reflection now shapes how he writes, teaches and leads.
Retief Libris Publishing grew out of this: an independent house built to turn years of classroom practice, leadership and cross-cultural experience into practical books and teacher resources for real life. What Jacques likes best is seeing something he has made become genuinely useful: a calmer classroom, a usable script, a reader who feels steadier during change. Growth, not applause, is the point.
It is common sense, backed by best practice, and worn lightly.
Why you can trust Jacques’ work
Jacques writes from experience, not theory. His background spans classroom teaching, curriculum leadership and system-level advisory work across a range of school contexts, in Australia and internationally.
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Bachelor of Arts - Industrial Relations
Master of Education - Leadership, Curriculum and Inclusion
Master of Arts - TESOL
Postgraduate Certificate of Management
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Professional Learning in Instructional Coaching, Growth Coaching, Training and Workplace Systems
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Head of Department, currently leading an Arts and Home Economics department
Former Curriculum Coordinator and Teaching and Learning Adviser
Classroom teacher from the early years through to university level, with specialisms in TESOL and Visual Arts
International experience across Australia, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East
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Founder of Retief Libris Publishing, an independent publishing house
Author of a growing collection of practical nonfiction for teachers, school leaders, parents and reflective readers
Creator of classroom-ready teacher resources through Retief Libris Education
Mission statement
Retief Libris Publishing creates practical, accessible nonfiction and educational resources that help people think more clearly, act with composure, rebuild after difficulty, teach with confidence, lead with integrity and live more meaningfully.
Vision statement
To become a trusted independent publishing and education brand known for calm, practical and thoughtful resources across education, leadership, resilience, parenting, workplace boundaries, AI in education and the emerging practical philosophy of Lucentism.
Why he writes is simple:
To make useful ideas accessible, so busy people can think more clearly and act with more calm.
What Jacques writes about
Jacques writes practical, thoughtful nonfiction for people going through change, whether that is a demanding term, a new role, loss, migration or a personal reset. His style is clear and straightforward, often with reflective prompts, simple habits and grounded ideas you can apply today.
His books and resources span behaviour, inclusion, wellbeing, educational leadership, AI in schools, resilience, boundaries, parenting teenagers and the emerging practical philosophy of Lucentism. Alongside these, he creates classroom-ready teacher resources for busy educators, and reflective writing on culture, identity and change drawn from his years living and working overseas.
Where to find our work
Retief Libris works with trusted platforms so its books and resources are easy to find and use:
Books are available through Amazon as eBooks and paperback books.
Teacher resources are available through Retief Libris Education on Teachers Pay Teachers.
The Lucent Letter newsletter keeps readers up to date with new releases and practical resources.
For collaborations, author enquiries, interviews or professional learning, Jacques welcomes conversations with schools, organisations and fellow educators.
Start a conversation with Jacques
Questions, ideas or opportunities? Get in touch.
