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The VIT is governed by a 14-member Council that is informed by a number of committees. Advice from the VIT Council and committees informs the work undertaken by the Chief Executive Officer and VIT’s six branches.

VIT Council

The current VIT Council was appointed in June 2022 for a three-year term.

Thirteen members of the Council are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister for Education. The fourteenth member is the nominee of the Secretary of the Department of Education (DE).

Members include the Chairperson and representatives of key stakeholder groups such as parents, teacher employers, teacher educators and education unions. The Secretary of the Department of Education or a nominee also sits on the Council.

Members

Lesley Lamb, Chairperson

Lesley Lamb first entered the teaching profession in 1977 and has worked in Education for the ensuing 46 years across metropolitan Melbourne and country Victoria.  

A passionate English teacher, Lesley developed programs for parents to help them develop their children’s engagement with reading. She also pursued her keen interest in literacy development by co‐authoring literacy intervention programs, Bridges: The Early Years and Bridges: The Middle Years, as well as presenting at numerous literacy conferences and professional development events. Lesley presented widely to school teams wishing to develop an integrated Literacy Development Program in secondary schools. Teaching VCE English and English Literature for many years, Lesley was a Panel Chair for VCE English Literature, working with peers to moderate and develop standards for VCE assessment. 

In 1998, Lesley was appointed Assistant Principal of Shepparton High School. Her first principal’s appointment was to Gilmore Girls’ College (formerly Footscray Girls) in 2001. This was followed by her recruitment as Principal of Glen Eira College in Caulfield. This position was a major challenge but also greatly fulfilling as, with the support of a dedicated team, she built Glen Eira into the thriving school it is today.  

After retiring in 2014, Lesley initially worked part‐time as an educational consultant until, in November 2016, she was appointed as Chairperson of the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) Council.  As a proud and committed teaching professional, she thoroughly relishes the opportunities afforded her to enable Victorian children and young people to reach their potential through teaching and teachers of the highest calibre.  

Paul Desmond, Deputy Chairperson

Paul has been Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sandhurst since 2015. He is a Director of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd, a Director of Catholic Capital Grants (Victoria) Ltd and Chair of the Review Body Committee which is a direct link to the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority. Paul comes to VIT with 40 years’ experience as an educator, teacher, Deputy Principal and Principal in various learning environments across Victoria. His abiding commitment is to quality learning and teaching, ensuring what is delivered in the classroom is of the highest standard and always for the benefit of the student.

David Baker

David Baker began his career as a science / maths teacher at Wesley College in 1991. He has worked at several independent schools across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, holding various leadership positions throughout his journey. These have included, Head of Middle and Senior School at The Peninsula School, Deputy Principal at Mentone Grammar, Principal of Gippsland Grammar and currently Principal of Woodleigh School. 

David has been a principal for over ten years and has a passion for teacher development and growth. He has a strategic, educational mind and a strong focus for providing progressive education for all students that meets the needs of 21st century learners.

Michael Butler

A member of the VIT Council since 2007, Michael Butler has been a state school secondary teacher in the northern suburbs of Melbourne for 40 years in various leadership roles, including year 12 and student welfare coordination. Michael has been a member of school councils and committees, the union State Executive, and regional and state committees focused on alternative education, teacher and principal selection and substance abuse issues. He has a particular interest in student welfare and alternative education for students experiencing difficulties in mainstream secondary schooling, and has 30 years’ experience coordinating an alternative setting for students with major behavioural issues.

Gill Carr

Currently part of the leadership team at a catholic school in Melbourne's south, Gill has taught in primary and P – 12 schools in both Australia and the UK for over 20 years. She attained qualifications in Music Education, Gifted Education and is completing a Masters of Educational Leadership. Gill has served on school councils as a teacher and a parent representative. She is the leader of Teaching and Learning, Mathematics and Digital Technologies in her current school, and is a VIEU member.

Amadeo Ferra

Amadeo Ferra is an experienced teacher and Principal with almost 30 years’ experience in the Victorian government education sector. Since 2012, he has been the Principal of a college in Melbourne’s east, having commenced there in 2007 as an Assistant Principal. Before this, he held various teaching and school leadership roles. Amadeo holds a Bachelor of Education and is a member of the AEU National Principal’s Committee. He was a finalist for the Victorian Education Excellence Award in 2013, 2015 and 2019.

Siobhan Hannan

Siobhan Hannan moved into kindergarten teaching after previously working in ethnic affairs, occupational health and safety and editing. She now has 20 years’ experience in kindergarten. Over recent years, she has combined teaching an Italian-English preschool program with doctoral research in bilingual early years education. Siobhan is a strong believer in community participation, and has been a committee member of a childcare co-operative, kindergarten, gymnastics club and several soccer clubs, and on AEU sector council.

Katrina Nightingale

Katrina has extensive experience in the early childhood education and care sector, spanning 30+ years working across varied roles and organisations. This has included teaching and leadership positions in early childhood education and care and vocational education. With a vision of excellence and equity in early childhood education and care, Katrina is currently leading intensive support for early childhood education and care services in governance and operations.

Mary-Anne Pontikis

Mary-Anne is an experienced teacher who has taught in many Victorian Government primary schools as a generalist classroom teacher, a specialist teacher in performing arts and a casual relief teacher. As a member of the Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian Branch Executive and an AEU State Councillor, Mary-Anne has been a teacher representative on school councils for a number of years and a member of the Merit Protection Boards and Disciplinary Appeals Boards as ministerial appointments. Currently, Mary-Anne is working as a literacy tutor as part of the Victorian Government’s Tutor Learning Initiative Program, providing small groups of students with targeted support in a new primary school in Melbourne’s north.

David Robinson

David Robinson is the Executive Director of the Workforce Policy and Strategy Division in the Department of Education (DE), which provides advice and analysis to the Government on the supply and quality of Victoria’s teaching workforce. David joined DET in 2015 and has held various executive positions in the areas of higher education and skills, early childhood and school education. Prior to working in education, David has held a variety of roles across the Victorian Public Service, including in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and the Department of Human Services working on community recovery following the 2009 Victorian Bushfires. He has also previously worked in the Australian Parliament and in legal practice.

Janet Scull

Associate Professor Janet Scull commenced her career as a primary teacher and this experience grounded her contributions to systemic curriculum design and her subsequent shift to work in teacher education. Her published research and academic teaching interests focus on deepening teachers’ understanding of literacy, assessment and programs that support diversity, promote student engagement and school connectedness. Janet is currently Deputy Dean Education at Monash University, where she leads the development and implementation of innovative, research informed initial teacher education and post graduate courses of study, that reflect her commitment to excellent teaching and quality learning. 

Angela Stringer

Angela has been a member of the teaching profession for over 30 years, teaching at Primary Schools in both North Queensland and Victoria. Her experience includes classroom practice, specialist areas and leadership roles. She is currently teaching Information Communication Technology in regional Victoria. Angela is a long-standing State Councillor of the Australian Education Union (AEU), representing members of the Primary Sector in the Latrobe Valley. She is a Member Elected Trustee Director of Emergency Services State Super (ESSSuper), is the chair of the Benefits and Services committee and is a member of the Audit, Risk Management and Finance Committee.

Raelene Vine

Playgroup set Raelene on her organised parent / education journey. As her children grew, a continuous involvement in their education saw Raelene actively participate in playgroup and preschool committees, the school council and parents association and most recently Parents Victoria, along with various sporting and cultural groups. Residing on a farm near Ouyen, Raelene is a School Councillor with the local College, and the Parents and Friends President. Raelene was awarded the Joan Kirner Parent Participation Award in 2017 and values strong home / school / community relationships. Training as a Primary teacher, Raelene has worked as a casual relief teacher (CRT) from preschool to Year 12 for over twenty years. 

Graeme Young

Graeme is a secondary school teacher with 35 years experience, including overseas teaching experience. He is Deputy Head of Senior School (Years 10-12) at an independent (APS) school with responsibility for student learning. Previous positions of leadership include Pastoral Care, VCE Coordinator, Head of Humanities and Outdoor Education. He has been a Council Member of the Incorporated Association of Registered Teachers of Victoria (Centre for Strategic Education), has been a member of VCE assessment and study design teams and is a VIEU member.

Peter Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer

Peter has a wealth of relevant experience and a passionate commitment to delivering quality service to Victorian citizens. Peter commenced his professional life as a teacher and this relevant experience combined with his subsequent wide-ranging leadership responsibilities demonstrate his strength in engaging with key stakeholders and staff.

Peter’s most recent position was Director of Maritime Safety with Transport Safety Victoria, during which time he was responsible, among other things, for the regulation of 400,000 licenced operators of commercial and recreational vessels. Prior to this, Peter was Director of the Victorian Taxi Directorate for four years during a period of significant challenge and transformation.

After a rigorous process, the appointment panel unanimously selected Peter, convinced he has the personal and professional qualities to lead VIT into its next phase as a leading, widely-respected agency that ensures the quality of Victorian teachers.

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