NSW Professional Learning Advisor

Michelle has modelled life-long learning throughout her career in education. She believes in students’ capacity to learn and lead and understands the significance of quality teaching and the relational role of the teacher in enabling students to achieve learning outcomes. Michelle is passionate about professional learning and she has an array of skills gained through working as an education consultant, an author, syllabus writer, HSC marker and HSC Trial Examiner. She also has recent experience as a panel member for teacher accreditation processes at the Independent Schools Teacher Accreditation Authority. She is a current PhD candidate at the Centre for Educational Research UWS and she is learning piano. Michelle has held a range of senior positions in leading independent schools across New South Wales and she has been a Principal in a private school. At Wenona school she was Deputy Principal and at St Catherine’s school she was Head of the Senior School (Years 7-12). She has been a Head of Department, Director of PDHPE / Sport and retained a teaching role throughout her career.

The following are the Key Learning Advisors that are currently employed in NSW

Lynne has worked in languages in both the state and private systems for over 28 years. She is currently Head Teacher Languages at Warners Bay High School teaching French, German and Japanese. For the region over the years she has organised camps, Year 12 days, Language Activity days and the Hunter Language Teachers Network. Lynne has led overseas study and cultural excursions to Japan and Europe. Warners Bay High takes students to Japan every second year and to Europe every third year. Over many years group safety systems, school policies, student and teacher booklets, DET application forms linking the trip objectives to syllabus outcomes etc have been developed to ensure successful overseas excursions.

Sabreena has taught in all types of schools for over 25 years: a central school, single sex, metropolitan, country, very large (1350 students) to very small (75 students 7-10). She started as an English/History teacher but in recent years has concentrated on her true passion: Ancient History. She has also taught Geography, Aboriginal Studies, Commerce, Society and Culture, Work Education, Work Studies and all the Histories. Like many HSIE teachers, her focus is now on implementing technology to engage students and help them see the connections between their learning and the rest of the world. Sabreena has taken up a role as Teaching and Learning Consultant: Technology and Quality Teaching at Northern Sydney Region in 2009.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to be able to represent the HSIE teachers of NSW, it’s a very exciting time for teachers with so many resources, ideas and courses being available."

Janet Rentz has been an art educator for thirty years, having completed undergraduate and Masters degrees in design and art education and embarking on PhD study.

Starting as a classroom teacher, Janet then headed up departments in two NSW secondary schools. Following this, Janet became an educator for museums and galleries, devising art programs for school students. After this Janet became the NSW Visual Arts Consultant for DET, implementing the new visual arts syllabuses, training teachers and developing support resources. She has lectured in art education at UNSW College of Fine Arts and UTS. She is currently teaching at TAFE and giving workshops for NAS HSC students.

"I have maintained my passion for teaching and hope that the visual art workshops are a creative and enjoyable experience for all. Look forward to seeing you."

Danielle has been teaching PDHPE for fifteen years and has been Head of Department for ten of those years. She has been active in programming and implementing new syllabus requirements for PDHPE and PASS courses and has led her KLA through successful accreditation processes.

Danielle has worked with the Board of Studies as an assessor of the PDHPE HSC exam and is a current HSC marker .Danielle has also lectured at HSC Enrichment Days in PDHPE for the Broken Bay Diocese and ACHPER NSW. She has written PDHPE material (student and teacher workbooks) for ABLE publishing and is currently writing the revised HSC text "Application and Inquiry" for Oxford Press.

"I look forward to providing advice on the professional development needs of PDHPE teachers in NSW and ensuring that the quality and range of courses meet your needs, in order for us all to deliver quality lessons to engage our students."

After teaching in primary schools of all sizes in city and country areas of NSW for 27 years, and relieving as a Principal and Literacy Coordinator, Debbie Bradbery (B.A. Dip.Ed.) was seconded to the University of Newcastle to teach in their Primary teacher education program in 2005.

For the past 3 years she has designed, and lectured in, undergraduate and postgraduate primary education courses and supervised and mentored teacher education students in schools in the public and independent systems. Debbie has worked as a consultant assisting primary schools to improve the Literacy outcomes for their students.

She currently works as a Conjoint Lecturer in Literacy courses at the University of Newcastle and as Assistant Principal at a local primary school teaching across the school.

Barbara is currently English KLA co-ordinator at Bede Polding College, Windsor South. She has extensive teaching and training experience with Junior and Senior Secondary English courses as well as Certificates in Mentoring and Professional Leadership. Lecturing and SDD co-ordination has reinforced her curriculum expertise as has the writing of a wide range of Teacher Resource Textbooks published over the past eight years. Barbara has resource development and the use of social texts that help facilitate the implementation of new syllabus or texts, especially in Stage 6 English, is a particular area of interest.

Elizabeth Surbey is currently the Drama Coordinator at Sydney Girls High School, since 1989. From 1999 to 2004 she held the position of President- Educational Drama Association of NSW inc. (A member of the Professional Teachers Associations of NSW and affiliated with the National Body Drama Australia),having held positions since 1994 including the Arts Industry Liaison Officer. In 2004 she stepped down to consolidate the National and International Liaison Officer's role for the newly named DRAMA NSW. She was co-convenor for many state conferences as well as a regular presenter at state and national level conferences. In 2002 Elizabeth received the Premier's English Literature Scholarship to travel to Ireland and research the new HSC Drama topic area Irish Drama. She has also been a HSC Drama Senior Marker for the BOS on the Australian core section. A marker of the written paper since its inception and has marked in many Individual Project areas, including design, critical analysis and scriptwriting. Elizabeth is currently the Education Consultant for the Griffin Theatre Company and is a representative on the Sydney Theatre Company education reference group, continuing to write and compile STC Education Kits. She has recently begun a relationship of supporting the drama in the education kits for Opera Australia.

"As a firm believer in life-long learning I take a personal interest in where and how drama teachers can keep up-to-date in every facet of drama education. I am delighted to be working for TTA whose focus on supporting education by supporting teachers directly I applaud. I aim to assist in developing fantastic teams of support for Drama teachers through quality and timely professional development -seeking the best courses led by the best and most experienced presenters."

Monika Khun, BEd (Sydney), BSc (Macquarie), Grad. Cert. Human Resource Management (TAFE New South Wales), has been an active science educator both in the classroom and in the wider community. She has 21 years experience facilitating in the area of science in a range of diverse schools and systems in N S W. Currently she is Head of Science at Sydney's Cranbrook School. Her expertise is respected by the wider professional body and also by her continued involvement in the presentation of teacher in-service workshops and seminars. She has been active in the development of external exams for the NSW SC & HSC in a range of science courses. She is a Past President of the Science Teachers' Association of NSW and in that role worked closely with colleagues to continually deliver professional development opportunities for teachers of science in N S W. She has delivered public awareness programs to the wider population related to issues in the environment such as Sea Week and National Water Week. She has worked at the Australian Museum for 13 years in the Visitor Services Division, overseeing weekend interactive programs, facilitating public awareness of science-related issues and concepts. She has published teacher resources to support the new NSW stage 4/5 science syllabus and student resources supporting the new NSW Stage 6 Biology course. Monika has also participated in the writing of a textbook for the new NSW stage 6 Senior Science course, that won an award for Excellence in Educational Publication in 2002. Monika has won a number of awards, including the Honorary Teacher Fellow Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, 2002; the Alice Whitley Prize for Science Education, by the Australian College of Educators; and the Outstanding Professional Service Award 2003, by the Professional Teachers Council of NSW and Distinguished service award by the Science Teachers' Association of NSW. She was nominated for the Prime Minister's Prize for excellence in Secondary Science Teaching, 2003

Lynn Lollback ( A.Mus.A., D.S.C.M., Dip. Ed., M.A.(Ed), Cert 1V Workplace Training, C.S.L.M, is a Music educator specialising in the teaching of vocalists, instrumentalists, soloists and ensembles for over 30 years. Lynn has worked as Head Teacher Music, Head Teacher Creative and Performing Arts, Creative Arts Consultant, Instrumental Coordinator (SEO1) for the Arts Unit and has worked with the Board of Studies on the examinations committee and as a Music marker for all aspects of the Music H.S.C. She has also lectured in music method (teacher training) at University of Western Sydney and is the author of many music and education publications including 'Accent on Music' (Hodder Education).Lynn has devised and presented many Arts-based workshops including Music K-6, Music 7-10 and particularly H.S.C. workshops around the State. As Head Teacher Teaching and Learning, Lynn has presented quality teaching and learning programs and gifted and talented student /teacher workshops in Sydney schools. Throughout the last 30 years as a music educator, Lynn has led professional associations as president of ASME and has been a working member of many Creative Arts Funding organisations to develop numerous workshops, camps and performance events such as "Celebrating the Arts", to support and promote excellence in music learning and teaching. In 2007 and 2008 Lynn conceptually developed and led the Western Sydney Showcase of Excellence "Pulse" for the Opera House, heralding a new chapter in the resurgence of the arts in Western Sydney with over 2,000 students.

"I look forward to continuing my endeavours to promote music education through teacher support and in-service and to promote excellence in the arts from K-12 and beyond."

Stuart is a mathematics teacher with 25 years of experience teaching boys and girls in 5 very diverse schools and has taught all of the current NSW Mathematics courses in Stages 4, 5 and 6 numerous times. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Mathematics) and Diploma of Education from Macquarie University and a Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Canberra. Stuart has been a Head of Department in 2 schools for 14 years and is currently working with pre-service mathematics teachers at the University of Sydney. He has led numerous workshops for teachers through a wide variety of organisations including TTA, MANSW, AIS and PD4MaTHS

Tina Bramis, BEd (Sydney), MEd Admin (UNSW) has been involved in the TAS KLA for over twenty years. Starting as a classroom teacher at Sydney Girls High School, Tina was appointed Head Teacher TAS at Brigidine College, Randwick. Currently she is Head of Design & Technology at Kambala. She has vast experience in the public, Catholic and Independent sector and has facilitated students in the wide range of technology subjects. She has been involved in the presentation of teacher in-service workshops and seminars and is actively involved in Technology teacher networks through professional associations. Tina has a range of networks involving colleagues from key educational sectors able to assess current trends and continuing professional development.

Tina has many years of experience as a HSC Marker for both written and practical projects in a number of TAS subject areas. This has enabled her to develop a sound understanding of requirements, responsibilities and needs that the syllabus imposes on teachers of differing experience.

"I am genuinely excited at the opportunity to provide advice on behalf of the TAS teachers of NSW, ensuring that workshops support teaching across the TAS curriculum."