VIT Council and Leadership Team

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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 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.