Featured Blogs and Messages

Announcing ACEL Directors and Branch Presidents Please join me in congratulating the following group of talented, committed and esteemed educators who have been elected as our new Branch Presidents in each state or territory. Their formal term begins on October 1, 2023 during which time they will also serve as Directors on the Board of ACEL, for a three year period. In addition to Branch Presidents, as per the Constitution the ACEL Board has the option to appoint up to 4 Members as Independent Directors. Independent Directors have specific skills, capabilities and/or experience that the Board believes are appropriate for the Board in terms of diversity and ...

In July, the ACEL Victoria Patron's Oration marked a momentous occasion—the celebration of ACEL's 50th Anniversary. Dr. Frank Crowther, ACEL National Patron, eloquently traced ACEL's remarkable journey, acknowledging the undeniable influence Victorians have had on its growth from the very beginning. This milestone event offered ACEL members a unique opportunity to connect across generations with inspirational educators like Frank, whose pioneering efforts paved the way for the present and future. ACEL has seen remarkable growth, with around 80,000 members since inception. Throughout its history, prominent figures have left indelible impacts and invaluable lessons. ...

It’s easy to see why our schools sometimes feel under siege. It seems that everyone these days has an opinion on the ‘failing’ education system and how to solve the challenges. Naturally this fuels perceptions that education is in a state of constant crisis and in need of drastic reform. Having spent more than four decades in education, I’ve seen just about every reform rolled out. Despite the massive investment of money and time, few if any, have delivered the universal outcomes sought. The recurring theme has always been to impose narrow assessment and reporting regimes or link education funding to student or teacher performance. Such responses fail to recognise ...

This edition of Australian Educational Leader captures a defining moment in our organisation’s history, as we celebrate half a century since the founding of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL). Fifty years of growth, of challenges, of successes. Fifty years of investing in the lives of those who have contributed profoundly to our profession. In this edition of AEL, and in leading up to our celebratory national conference, we honour our founders, and those who have contributed to ACEL, making it the organisation and community it is today. Those who had the courage to stand up for our profession, and speak out for education, for teachers, for ...

Here at ACEL, we are in celebration mode: 50 years of leading, learning, and shaping the future together. So far, we have had an incredible year of acknowledgement and recognition of our professional association; an association to which all of you are an integral part. As I write this piece, we have launched our online community, the ACEL Members’ Lounge. The engagement and commentary are already indicative of high levels of connection at the deepest level that a platform like this provides. We have received very positive messages of congratulations, support, and endorsement. The quote below captures some of the strong affirming sentiments that underscore ...

How to communicate your authenticity in an interview One of the aspects of my job that I particularly enjoy is interviewing leaders. Having interviewed over 4,000 educational leaders, nationally and internationally, I have been reflecting on the qualities that set some leaders apart. As educational leaders, we navigate through an ever-evolving educational landscape where we are expected to guide, inspire, and influence those we serve. Central to fulfilling these roles effectively is authenticity in leadership. Authenticity stems from a deep-seated commitment to values such as humility, honesty, integrity, and purpose. These are the character qualities that ...

Are you keen to have the opportunity to contribute to the future of the teaching profession in collaboration with the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL)? ACEL is a community of educators on a mission to connect, support, and inspire current and future leaders in education across Australia and beyond. We want to highlight diverse millennial voices from across all parts of the country – early career teachers and leaders from all sectors and varying roles representative of a range of educational settings. Our vision here at ACEL is to create a dynamic and collaborative learning community, where educators come together to share ideas and work ...

During 2022 ACEL was delighted to partner with the Australian Learning Lecture (ALL) to engage, share, and learn from schools that are making significant changes in schooling to meet the needs of the future. ALL is a ten-year initiative by Koshland Education Innovation (KEI) designed to bring big ideas and new approaches in education to national attention. Each lecture around a big idea is delivered by an international thought leader and then supported by a two-year impact program. In late 2020, the Australian Learning Lecture delivered its third lecture presented virtually by Valerie Hannon: Seeing is Believing: The Future School is here and a number ...