As our 50th Anniversary draws to a close, it has been an honour to be part of a community of pioneers as well as nextgeners, all contributing vibrantly to conversations, provocations, and celebration! The inspirational history shared through Patron Frank Crowther’s Commemorative Monograph showcased ACEA/ACEL as a deeply human organisation: “it’s in our DNA.”
In the monograph I was taken by the vision of the pioneering presidents, with their emphasis on personalised dialogue in addressing key challenges of the day and engaging in professional learning by choice and not imposition. Their message continues to be central to ACEL’s mission and vision, energising us as we move into an unforeseeable future. Both Frank Crowther and Brian Caldwell gave a stirring address at our recent national conference where they highlighted 50 years of ACEL’s inspiration and service. Brian explored eloquently five key constructs - agility, adaptability, resilience, risk-taking and leadership - as being essential for the future and each of these constructs reflects what ACEL is known for. When listening to Frank and Brian, it was hard not to feel a sense of pride in our past and, at the same time, a strong sense of belonging to an organisation that has a promising and exciting future. Our conference graphic recorder, Sue Pillans, noted that several words continued to be said by conference delegates and presenters and these were “belonging,” “united,” “listen,” “connection,” “inclusion,” “relationships,” and “multiple voices.”
Marnee Shay gave an instructive, inspiring and powerful William Walker Oration that didn’t shy away from challenges beseting Indigenous education, but discussed them with practical strength-based actions and solutions. A vibrant and engaging addition to the conference this year was the introduction of the NextGen initiative where we invited 11 incredibly impressive middle leaders to talk to us about their experiences and work. The insights of this group were particularly thought-provoking, and ACEL looks forward to developing a mutually beneficial relationship with them for many years to come.
In the words of NextGeners: Ramya Deepak indicated the conference, “reaffirmed that not only do middle leaders belong in these vital gatherings, but we are essential contributors to shaping the future of education.” Kylie Chatto called the roundtable sessions, “the kitchen table moments.” She went on to say, “This experience has prompted me to think about how we can involve others in the education journey at all stages. In the bustling world of education, these moments feel like both the tonic and the fuel we need to inspire and elevate our incredible profession.” I could not agree more!
And, in doing this, we also need wonderful partners and advocates. As expressed by the recipient of the ACEL National Media & Journalism Award, Annabel Astbury:
Receiving this award means so much to me – to be recognised by such a respected group is really a highlight for me. It is from the ACEL members and stories that I see such strength in the profession and a group of dedicated colleagues committed to the profession for the long haul. It is with some remorse that I didn’t really know about ACEL when I was teaching as I think it might have changed some of my choices after ten years in the classroom. I hope journalists and media commentators in the mainstream recognise the work of the profession more and the work of leading groups like ACEL [and] that the general public have a better understanding of the profession as a whole.
I certainly look forward to discussing how we may be able to do this more in the future.
Our final issue of Australian Educational Leader won’t disappoint. We are particularly fortunate to have three articles written by inspirational speakers – Lyn Sharratt, Selena Fisk, and Tracey Ezard – all of whom will be known to most if not all of you as each of them has presented seminars and programs for ACEL over the years. In their articles they share their wisdom, data diagnostic tools and frameworks, and practical insights designed to improve student and system-based learning.
Christopher Hudson’s paper makes a strong argument for using “narratives of practice” to help educational practitioners connect more strongly with data and therefore be in a better position to understand data impact as part of an instructional inquiry cycle. The research-based paper by Jill Willis, Guangfong He, and Nathan Christensen focuses on an innovative approach to classroom observation data. Ryan Dunn and Pauline Thompson argue the merits of taking an evaluative stance when using a range of data. Two interesting case studies are presented in this issue. The first by Cindy Rebbechi and Steve Murphy tells the story of a school in regional North East Victoria that collected and analysed data from children as a means of improving their engagement in numeracy. The second by Rachael McDowall focuses on a system level change in Catholic Education Northern Territory that resulted in a big investment in the capacity building of staff to develop their data literacy understandings and practices.
Two other important segments in this issue are an interview with Professor Geoff Masters, and an acceptance speech by Jacinda Euler for the ACEL Miller-Grassie Award 2023 for Outstanding Leadership. In their respective pieces, both Geoff Masters and Jacinda Euler identify significant global challenges facing education and educators. I particularly liked Jacinda’s message that despite these challenges and the extraordinary complex times in which we live, “it’s a wonderful privilege, hard work but great joy, to be a teacher.”
And finally, for the leadership challenge, Liz Benson presents an interesting practical piece exploring the process she uses to gather and analyse data to demonstrate leadership impact in her role as a middle leader. Some of the tips provided should prove very useful for readers wishing to document leadership impact. For those of you who were not able to attend the conference, a short piece by Lauren Sayer, Sophie Specjal, and Selena Fisk includes their personal highlights of the three days.
I would like to acknowledge and thank most sincerely, our AEL editor, Lisa Ehrich, together with the Editorial Board for their thoughtful care, attention, and stewardship of AEL which under their direction has gone from strength to strength. And special thanks to Selena Fisk who co-edited the current issue. For those of you interested in publishing an article for AEL in 2024, please see the website which now includes the journal themes for 2024.
In 2024, ACEL will continue to unify the profession with a focus on people, honouring diversity and inclusion by building on current initiatives, and testing ourselves that we are creating the conditions necessary to support our people and our profession. We will make it our priority to provide space to recognise, guide, and listen to our future leaders, knowledge holders, and Elders.
I close with all good wishes to you and your loved ones, as you celebrate, rest, and rejuvenate over the holiday season. From our ACEL team to our teachers and leaders, we thank all of you for what you do and who you are.
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