FOUNDATION MEMBERS
Foundation Patron: Brian Cambourne
Principal Honorary Fellow, University of Wollongong, School of Education
Inducted into Reading Hall of Fame
Former Fullbright Scholar
Former Post-Doctoral Fellow at Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Recipient International Year of Literacy Medal for 'Contributions to Australian Literacy Education'
Recipient Ethel Hayton Award by the University of Wollongong for Services to the Community
Recipient Inaugural Garth Boomer Award of Australian Reading Association
Life member National Council Teachers of English (USA)
Recipient International Reading Association's Gray Citation of Merit
Life Membership Primary English Teaching Association of Australia (PETAA)
Co-chair: Jo Padgham
ALEA Life Member
ALEA Principal Fellow
Honorary Fellow of the Australian Council of Educational Leadership
ACT Women's Honour Roll
Co-chair: Robyn Ewing AM
Professor Emerita, Sydney School of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney
Co-Director of the Creative Research, Engaging the Arts, Transforming Education (CREATE) Centre
Co-Director Big Sky Stories
Honorary Associate, Sydney Theatre Company
Former President of ALEA; Principal Fellow ALEA
Visiting Scholar, Barking Gecko Theatre
Former President of PETAA; Life Member of PETAA
Executive: Chris Topfer
Long career in education as an early childhood teacher, literacy coach, school leader and policy writer
ALEA Past Vice President
Awarded ALEA Life Membership and ALEA Principal Fellow
Recipient of the AITSL Award for Excellence in Teaching and School Leadership and Australian Professional Teachers Association Meritorious Contribution to the Profession Award
Literacy consultant
Executive: Julie Shepherd
Literacy consultant, nationally and internationally
Author of teacher reference books
ALEA Victorian State Director
Primary teacher
Executive: Kathy Rushton
Lecturer School of Education University of Sydney
Interest in the impact of professional learning on the development of language and literacy and the development of translanguaging for students learning English as an additional language or dialect.
Committee: Jan Turbill (founding member)
Senior Honorary Fellow, University of Wollongong, School of Education
Life Member and Principal Fellow ALEA
Life Member PETAA
Fellow of Australian College of Educators
Inducted Member Reading Hall of Fame
Member of several Journal Editorial Boards, including Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, Language Arts and Reading Teacher
Committee: Wendy Bean (founding member)
More than 40 years in education as teacher, school executive, literacy consultant and casual university lecturer
Held positions on ALEA Sydney North local council and ALEA national council
ALEA Principal Fellow
ALEA Principal Fellow and recipient of the ALEA Medal
Authored and co-authored several articles and publications in the areas of spelling and writing
Committee: Jantiena Batt
Experienced early childhood teacher who has worked across settings
Literacy Coach
ALEA Medal recipient
Authored and co-authored several articles and publications on language and literacy
ALEA Senior Fellow
Committee: Kelly Booker
Experienced teacher, Literacy Advisor, Instructional Mentor, school and system leader and currently a Principal of an early childhood school
Presented both nationally and locally in the areas of literacy, engagement and quality play-based learning
Using quality picture books to support learning is a passion, as well as building capability in leaders and teachers
Executive member of an ALEA Local Council
Committee: Robyn Cox
More than 35 years in education as school teacher and as an Initial Teacher Education academic across 4 countries
Held executive committee positions on United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA) and Primary English Teacher Association (PETAA)
Immediate past President of PETAA; life member PETAA
Authored, edited and co-authored books and research papers on language and literacy education
Experience in governance at University and school system governing boards
Committee: Kathy Deacon
Extensive experience working as a classroom teacher, primary principal and professional learning co-ordinator
Currently teaching primary music and drama
Experience on Department of Education and teacher union committees focusing on curriculum and teacher professionalism
Life member of the NSW Teachers Federation
Committee: Joanne Rossbridge
Over 25 years experience in primary and secondary schools as a teacher, EAL/D teacher and consultant
Language and Literacy Consultant across Australia
Authored and co-authored several articles and publications on language and literacy
Experience on professional association boards
Committee: Mark Vicars
Associate Professor in Education, Victoria University
Honorary Adjunct Professor, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia (RILCA) Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, Excellence in Teaching
Lead Editor, Qualitative Research Journal Emerald Publishers
Series Editor, Praxis of English Language Teaching, Brill/ Sense.s
Past President International Association of Qualitative Research
Committee: Lynne Bury
Long career in education as a primary teacher, assistant principal, consultant in primary and secondary schools, project officer and policy writer
Author and co-author of articles and teacher reference materials on language and literacy
Former ALEA Victoria State Director
Recipient of the ALEA Medal
Academic lecturer and tutor
Committee: Kate Halcrow
Over 20 years experience as a head of primary, curriculum leader and classroom teacher in NSW and ACT Independent Anglican, Catholic and public schools
Founder and former director of ‘Pens Against Poverty’ schools writing competition (ACT/ NSW)
Academic lecturer and tutor at the University of Sydney and University of Canberra
ALEA member
