Allen Dickson is a theatre director and educator, with a passion for seeing 'quiet revolutions' in the classroom. For over 15 years he has combined classroom teaching with creating theatre for young people, and his works as a playwright have seen several domestic and international tours through both Europe and the US. Having taught predominately Drama, English and Maths in Secondary Schools, Allen has also been a regular presenter for various extra-curricular organisations where he uses a diverse range of unique skills to instil confidence in young people and initiate change in classroom practice.

Cameron Bacholer – Cameron is a passionate English teacher and is presently Director of Curriculum and Head of English at The Peninsula School, Mount Eliza, Victoria. He has written journal articles providing insights into differentiation in the English curriculum, presented widely at various conferences for VATE and IESC, and has completed a Masters of Education from The University of Melbourne.

Christine Hayes B. ED (primary) M. Ed (Special Education) is a primary trained teacher with 20 years experience in schools in Victoria and Western Australia.  She has worked as a private Education Consultant with children with Learning Difficulties and in schools as a specialist in the fields of Learning Difficulties and Special Education.  Christine is currently working with schools to implement whole school approaches to Spelling and Word Work.  As someone who works on a day to day basis with teachers and children, Christine likes to facilitate practical workshops that assist teachers in developing deep knowledge of content and effective pedagogical skills that will make a difference to student learning and outcomes.

Clare Zagorski works currently as a consultant in the area of Human Resources and Industrial Relations. She has vast experience in delivering workshops and individualised coaching in the areas of personality profiling (using the DISC diagnostic), interpersonal skills, learning styles, time management, and leadership and management. Her academic track record includes degrees in Psychology and Commerce and she spends her time lecturing and delivering professional development for the corporate and education sectors.

Coby Beatson is an educational consultant who has extensive experience as an educator of adults and children of all ages. She has worked as a classroom teacher in primary schools and was employed for 5 years as an ICT coordinator. Coby is an expert in the use of Interactive Whiteboards and is devoted to using them in the classroom, integrating their use into the entire curriculum. Coby works with teachers, delivering Professional Development sessions both within the school environment and at numerous conferences. She has travelled throughout Australia working with teachers to develop curriculum and to enhance and shift pedagogy through the use ICT.

Debbie Tyson has been teaching in Queensland schools for the past 30 years. Her experience and expertise as a classroom teacher, support teacher and literacy coordinator led her to consultancy work. For the past six years, she has been working in the Pat Edgar Education Consultancy assisting schools with the implementation of their Literacy programs. Her practical solutions combine with her ongoing studies to bring assistance to teachers of literacy and numeracy from P to 10. She shares her passion and skill for developing good learners with all who are keen to see students succeed.

Deborah Vietri is a primary school teacher with 25 years experience and has taught all grades. She is currently an independent consultant for professional development and is associated with the Catholic Education Office Melbourne. She has a strong background in Victoria in helping schools implement VELS. Deborah has had several articles published in Learning Matters magazine and is the author of The Essentials - a series for enhancing an integrated curriculum.

Helen taught for several years after graduation and then completed further study and moved into Psychology. She currently lectures part time in Psychology and Education in the School of Education at Deakin University and is also an adjunct professor at RMIT university. Helen has a part time private psychology practice in Melbourne and is the author or co-author of 18 books for teachers and health professionals. She is also a member of the National Centre Against Bullying.

Dr. Sue Roffey was a teacher for 17 years, mostly working with students who had a range of behavioural difficulties. She then became an educational psychologist involved not only with students, but also with families and schools. Since 2002 she has been lecturing on the school counsellor training course at the University of Western Sydney and working in schools around Australia. Sue’s extensive publications are not only based on research but on direct and indirect experiences of what works in creating supportive communities and maximising pro-social behaviour. This includes a focus on the wellbeing of teachers.

Dr. Toni Noble is a former classroom teacher now working as a senior University lecturer in education and psychology at the Australian Catholic University National. She is widely known in the education arena as the co-author with Dr. Helen McGrath of many practical best-selling teacher resource books. These books include Eight Ways At Once, Different Kids, Same Classroom and BOUNCE BACK! A Classroom Resiliency Program. Toni has been awarded a Carrick Citation for her outstanding contributions to University teaching in the field of educational psychology and teacher education. She has presented many keynote addresses, papers, professional development programs and workshops to educators both nationally and internationally.

Einat Orbach has taught in primary schools in Australia, the UK and Asia, working with students across all levels as a generalist classroom teacher as well as in special needs and gifted and talented education. In her role as ICT Co-ordinator, Einat worked with staff to develop their skills and confidence in using ICT to engage students. She also successfully researched and introduced interactive whiteboards to her school, developing training sessions for staff to ensure effective implementation. Einat is currently exploring brain-based education and interactive technologies and has developed sessions that incorporate both pedagogies.

Fiona Jackson is an experienced classroom teacher who currently works as a regional literacy consultant. Fiona has taught at all levels of primary school education and has spent some time in educational publishing. She has completed the Early Years Tutor Training course for Prep–Year 2 and Teaching Readers in Years 3 and 4. Fiona has received excellent feedback from previous professional development sessions. Fiona is currently co-authoring a teacher's resource book of practical literacy ideas for P–8 classrooms.

Gerard Stevenson is an experienced educator and trainer. He is a qualified teacher who has taught mainly Mathematics, Religion and Geography. He has also spent 6 years as the Head of Agriculture at a leading Melbourne Girls School. For the past three years Gerard had been working with teachers in a consulting capacity, helping them to incorporate technology, in particular interactive whiteboards, into their classrooms. During this time, Gerard has had the opportunity to teach grades Prep to Year 8 using interactive whiteboards, has run numerous workshops, reviewed pedagogy and provided one-on-one coaching sessions for staff throughout Victoria. He is passionate about education and his workshops are always practical, hands-on, interactive and fun.

Joanne Blannin has taught in France, England, America and Australia and has developed an in-depth understanding of learning styles and how to cater for individual needs within a classroom. Joanne speaks several languages and this has fuelled her passion for literacy education. Using learning technologies, and her experiences with Outdoor Education, Joanne provides students with engaging opportunities to learn. Currently Joanne is a team leader at Caulfield Grammar School. As a staff trainer, Joanne focuses on the use of Interactive Whiteboards and software that enhance learning and teaching for the primary and middle years.

Julie Shepherd is an independent educational consultant. She has taught at all primary levels and also as a library teacher. Julie has lectured for both student and postgraduate teachers, and has presented at many national conferences. Julie has conducted professional development sessions in all Australian states and in Singapore.

Liam Buckley has worked in all levels of primary and secondary education in the UK and is currently teaching at a primary school in Melbourne. He has over ten years experience working with Interactive Whiteboards and has provided many professional development workshops for individual teachers and staff groups. Liam continues to develop sessions based on the current pedagogy and aims to increase the engagement of students in classrooms by the effective use of interactive technology. Liam has designed activities that link to and support the VELS and will be a sure-fire hit in the classroom.

LINDA TATE (B.Ed, M.Ed.)
Linda is a senior consultant of Professional Development for teachers in Queensland. She has had a full and varied teaching career in Australia and New Zealand as a classroom teacher Years 1-7, a Learning Support, a Literacy Support and an ESL teacher. Linda has a wealth of knowledge and expertise grounded in practical experience combined with the natural ability to care and understand others needs.

Louise is a passionate educator with a diverse range of educational experiences. She has a Masters of Education specialising in ICT and International Schooling. Louise undertook a professional learning fellowship, researching the use of interactive whiteboards in the UK. This led to the role of ICT coordinator, overseeing the installation of interactive whiteboards and development of comprehensive ICT programs. Louise is a trained teacher of the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Program and has held the position of Numeracy Coordinator after becoming a certified Early Years Numeracy Coordinator. Louise now works as a full time professional learning presenter and has presented in both Australia and abroad.

Marcella Reiter is an experienced teacher, educational consultant and psychologist who has taught in primary, secondary and tertiary settings both in Australia and overseas. For the past ten years, she has worked as a Curriculum Adviser with the Catholic Education Office and is the author of the bestselling M100W—Magic 100 Words literacy resources.

Melanie Garner is a qualified primary and secondary teacher with a broad range of educational experiences. She has completed collaborative research into designing curriculum for gifted and talented children and boys’ education, and has run many successful workshops in these areas. Melanie recently began presenting for G.A.T.E.WAYS, coordinating a variety of programs for gifted students in both Melbourne and Canberra. Her entertaining presentation style allows participants meaningful and practical ideas that can be taken back to the teaching classroom.

Michael Richards’ recent roles include Middle Years Consultant with the Victorian Department of Education and Training, and Mathematics Consultant with the New York City Board of Education. He has also been Education Officer with the Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV). In schools he has held leadership positions in Mathematics, Science, middle years, curriculum, and professional development, and taught Mathematics up to Year 12.

Pat Edgar B.Ed.,M.Ed. Pat Edgar has provided very successful literacy coaching/mentoring to many primary and high schools in Qld across all sectors for the past 8 years. Pat and her team also deliver practical and stimulating workshops for teachers and teacher aides. Pat’s practical approach to professional development stems from her previous fifteen years teaching in classrooms from Years 1-7, Reading Recovery teacher training, Literacy Coordinator roles and University studies. She is passionate about the need for teachers to continue to be lifelong learners.

Pat has taught at secondary level as an English teacher and at primary level as a generalist classroom teacher. She has been teaching at tertiary level for the past six years and is currently a lecturer in Education, with a focus on Language and Literacy at the primary level. Pat has been involved in several research projects, including research into reading and writing in the primary years, and is passionate about the need to develop students’ abilities in these areas.

Paul Mears is the Head of ICT at Firbank’s two Junior Schools. As well as having extensive experience teaching ICT in Australia and internationally, Paul is also a skilled teacher trainer and looks forward to sharing with you his knowledge and experience using free resources available on the net

Having held IT education leadership roles in both the UK and Australian schools, Paul Smith has an in-depth knowledge of how to use technology to enhance learning. Before joining the education system Paul worked in the IT industry for 10 years. He has experience in the Catholic, State and Independent systems and currently holds a team leader position at Caulfield Grammar School. Having successfully implemented Interactive Whiteboards across the school, Paul now trains staff at primary and secondary levels in the effective use of learning technologies in the classroom.

Before specialising in the field of Science, Peter Hope had worked in Primary Schools for 37 years. He has held many varied roles over that time -from; rural head teacher, assistant principal, classroom teacher and specialist teacher in Art, Computers and Music. Since 2000, Peter has focused on the development of science teaching and has authored books, developed Science Curriculum for the UAE and the Victorian VELS program. More recently he has worked at Latrobe University as a lecturer in their Education Department. Peter’s natural enthusiasm for science has seen him create and collate a wealth of material that will liven up any science lesson. His extensive knowledge of the subject will inspire and inform teachers of all levels and experience.

Phil is one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors. His books include the Toocool and Boyz Rule series. These books have been instrumental in getting boys into reading. Phil’s professional development sessions are aimed at assisting teachers to get even the most reluctant of readers excited about books and writing. Phil brings a wealth of experience to these sessions.

Richard has 36 years involvement with education in a variety of positions; with the Department of Education in WA as a primary teacher, with Edith Cowan University, Curtin University and Notre Dame University as a primary mathematics lecturer of pre-service teachers and post-graduate teachers. Richard is well known for his love of mathematics. He develops and presents a range of practical, hands–on Professional Learning Opportunities for teachers and curriculum leaders. He presents at mathematics conventions and conferences in WA, in Vic, NSW and Malaysia

Sandra Knox has been a primary and special education teacher and has worked on the Early Years Numeracy Project for Victoria, both as a writer and presenter. She has been the director of the Family Maths Project of Australia since 1992 and was an Early Years Project Officer in Victoria. Sandra also works as a maths consultant in Australia and New York.

Sharon Perkins has taught in primary schools and held special education and literacy consultancy roles and senior management positions. Her academic study includes early childhood development, literacy education, gifted and talented education, special education and educational leadership, organisational culture and change.

Susan Halliday is the author of the soon to be released series MARCY. Passionate about human rights, and in particular young people’s rights and their application in the educational context, Susan has served as Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Disability Discrimination Commissioner. Originally an English and History teacher Susan has always worked within educational spheres, and continues to do so in her on-going role as the Chairperson of the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

Sue Stevenson is an experienced educator and trainer. Originally trained as a secondary Science and Geography teacher, Sue has also worked in the corporate environment teaching skills based courses to adults. For the past two years she had been working with teachers in incorporating technology, in particular interactive whiteboards, into their classrooms. During this time, Sue has had the opportunity to teach grades Prep to Year 10 using interactive whiteboards, has run numerous workshops, reviewed pedagogy and provided one-on-one coaching sessions for staff throughout Victoria and Tasmania. Her workshops are practical, hands on, interactive and fun.

Toby McIlrath is a leading teacher and has experience with both government and independent school systems. Currently, he works as a classroom and IT enrichment teacher. He has being developing digital story-telling and film-making programs to be implemented into Innovation and Excellence Clusters. Digital Stories, animation and film are firmly entrenched into his classroom practice to enhance curriculum based learning programs.

Trish Leigh is an experienced primary teacher who has taught across all primary levels. She has been actively involved in curriculum development, and has worked extensively as an educational consultant, particularly in the areas of Mathematics and ICT. Trish has conducted numerous professional development sessions, assisting teachers to cater for individual differences in the Maths classroom and to develop practical Maths activities that enhance student understandings. Co-author and publisher of Maths Tracks for Victoria, Trish brings a wealth of knowledge to the sessions.

Vanessa Hodgkiss has a Master of Education degree from the University of Melbourne in the area of Thinking Development in Schools and the Thinking Curriculum. She has worked as a Thinking Development and Philosophy for Children coordinator at the primary school level, and has worked extensively with schools in the Doveton-Endeavour Hills Cluster to introduce Philosophy for Children to both primary and secondary schools. Vanessa is an accredited teacher educator of Philosophy for Children, and conducts training and professional development sessions for teachers and parents.