Education Advisory Panel

Paul Wood is the Executive Director, Teaching and Learning Support in the NSW Department of Education. He is responsible for leading the development of high quality evidence-based strategies, and programs which ensure NSW public schools and teachers have the resources needed to ensure all learners can effectively access the curriculum and fulfill their potential. Paul has been a teacher, a principal of three schools and a system leader of educational programs at a state-wide level and has a background in special and inclusive education and has worked in special education in the past primarily at the University of Sydney including lecturing in inclusive education in the MEd, BEd and MTeach programs at the University of Sydney. He is a recipient of the Public Service Medal in the Australia Day Honours list in 2021 for his leadership of the state-wide curriculum support for schools through the COVID-19 pandemic, and has a PhD in educational leadership from the University of Sydney. Paul is the NSW Government’s appointment to the Panel.

Judith is the Director – Teaching Quality and Innovation – Statewide Services, in the Western Australian Department of Education, leading the development, implementation and evaluation of a range of state-wide supports and services to students and schools. Her school leadership experience ranges from working with children and families from affluent backgrounds to those living in extreme poverty, providing her with the skills, knowledge and capacity to lead in any educational setting. Judith was awarded a Department of Education, Principals Fellowship in 2017 and a Churchill Fellowship in 2018. Her Churchill Fellowship research focused on how schools can change communities to create students that are ready to thrive and learn. Judith is the Western Australian Government’s appointment to the Panel.

Mark is a passionate educator with over twenty years’ experience in leading the delivery of service transformation and improvements to education, firstly as a teacher and school leader, then within the Education Directorate, across ACT Government, and in the Commonwealth public service. Mark has applied these skills at the executive level across a wide range of public administration functions, including change management, digital transformation, Ministerial and Commonwealth-State relations, and most recently, in driving a system-wide School Improvement service uplift across ACT Public Schools. Mark is the ACT Government appointment to the Panel.

Gay is the Director of Teaching and Learning with the Department for Education, Children and Young People. With experience in teaching and leadership roles across schools in Tasmania and Victoria, including fifteen years as a Principal, Gay has a deep understanding of schools and education. Central to Gay’s work is enhancing quality teaching through a focus on what is taught, how it is taught, and how student progress is monitored and assessed. In her position, Gay actively engages with state and national groups to stay informed and provide insights that support Tasmanian children and young people to be successful in learning, life and work. Gay is the Tasmanian Government appointment to the Panel.

Tracey is the Director of Curriculum Programs within the Curriculum and Learning Division of the South Australian Department for Education, leading curriculum programs delivery and development, resource implementation, and strategies that promote equity, excellence, and learner agency and wellbeing. Previously, as Director of Primary Learners in the Learning and Improvement Division, Tracey led a team of project officers who focussed on effective learning and improving educational outcomes. Her leadership experience as a principal and deputy principal has strengthened her expertise in curriculum design, policy implementation, and fostering inclusive, high-quality learning environments. Committed to ensuring all children and young people thrive, she collaborates with government agencies and education leaders to shape programs that enhance curriculum knowledge, wellbeing, and student success. Tracey is the South Australian Government’s appointment to the Panel.

As Deputy Secretary, SEPS, Stephen leads policy and program development to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for all students, regardless of their background. Stephen has extensive experience in education policy making and implementation. He has held a range of senior roles in Victoria, including Regional Director for the South Western Victoria Region and Executive Director for Implementation. He has also served as a seconded senior advisor to the Victorian Minister for Education and Deputy Premier. Following a long history in the Victorian Public Service, Stephen spent time in the UK, as Deputy Chief Executive for the Education Endowment Foundation, an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family background and educational attainment through the generation and use of high-quality evidence about what works to improve outcomes for students experiencing disadvantage. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. Stephen is the Victorian Government’s appointment to the Panel.

Kylie is the Executive Director of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning in the Queensland Department of Education. She has extensive experience in education, first as a secondary teacher, then school leader and, since 2019, she has been working across a broad portfolio within the curriculum space as a system leader. Her work focuses on leadership coaching, leading development of Australian Curriculum implementation materials, prioritising student pathways and developing system capability in Queensland regions and with leaders in state schools. Kylie’s leadership is instrumental in aligning equity and excellence with the vision of the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration for a world class education system, contributing towards delivery of system initiatives that ensure sustainable improvement and realise the potential of every student. Kylie is the Queensland Government’s appointment to the Education Panel.