During Week 4, Term 1, the Hon. Ben Carroll MP, Minister for Education, welcomed the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership’s 2024 Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) cohort. The Minister spoke of the crucial role teachers play in inspiring students, changing lives and positively impacting the education system, stating that there is ‘no more important public investment than in education’. PV Chief Executive Officer Gail McHardy (pictured) and Chief Operations Manager Leanne McCurdy were in attendance.
Over 430 highly skilled teachers from government, Catholic and Independent schools are taking part in TEP 2024. An Australian first, year-long program, the TEP deepens teachers’ knowledge and practice, enhancing their impact in classrooms. At the launch, the keynote speaker was Rob Rees, CEO of Cultivating Community and founder of Kitchen Challenge Australia, a social enterprise. Rob provoked TEP teachers’ thinking around inclusive practices, and their role as leaders setting up all students for success. Rob emphasised the importance of social connections and shared his journey to his current role at Cultivating Community.
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Another speaker was Scott and his mother Cathy Rankin. They told their extraordinary story of the teachers who have changed their lives. Scott described how his teachers and his family were his “support crew” throughout his education in QLD and then later in the Riverina. Regardless of his learning needs and health complications (living with brain lesions), Scott remained determined and focussed on his learning (he has an IQ of 71) and today works in a NSW hospital as an Operation Room Assistant in the cardiac unit. He and his mother shared the importance of working together with the educators to achieve Scott’s goals.
The TEP teachers will now go on to connect with their learning communities over the course of the year, at Academy centres across Victoria. PV felt it is important for parents and carers to be aware of the types of professional learning and leadership opportunities educators apply for and receive. This program is one example of what the Academy offers and PV will continue to liaise with the Academy to learn and share ideas for the benefit of our Victorian teachers and leaders.
