The paper draws on research --- "Tellin' the stories of teachers: Tellin' the stories of teaching" project --- that forms part of the national More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teachers Initiative. This Initiative aims to increase the number and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the profession. A problematic is therefore raised from the outset -- how can the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers be increased and what conditions promote retention? "Tellin' the stories of teachers: Tellin' the stories of teaching" creates a digital and historical archive of 15 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples presenting perspectives as students, graduate teachers and experienced academics. This collection of voices interpolates a teacher's work and life with what it means to be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. The paper uses critical theoretical frames to analyse the data/stories of the project participants to extrapolate out the following key themes: (1) Valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions in education; (2) Building better foundations through critical engagement; (3) Agency for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge transmission; and (4) Embodying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community in our work and life.