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Two major education leadership bodies based in Queensland have joined forces in a bid to improve professional development opportunities for teachers across the state and Australia.
The partnership between Queensland Education Leadership Institute (QELi) and the National Excellence in School Leadership Institute (NESLI) will co-create blended learning programs for educators and school leaders, who will benefit from the initiative’s broad range of high-impact, face-to-face training and online programs.
QELi CEO, Neil McDonald, said the new partnership with NESLI further demonstrates each organisations’ commitment to supporting the development of educators and school leaders in Queensland and across Australia, and ensuring accessibility to all.
“We are thrilled to partner with NESLI to enhance QELi’s professional development offering through the addition of new online programs,” he said.
McDonald said NESLI’s rigorous and evidence-based programs align with the design and framework of QELi face-to-face leadership and capability programs for collaboration and school improvement.
“Educators across the country, particularly those located in rural and regional areas, have been asking for greater access to online learning and we are pleased to be able to respond to these reports by delivering products to support the needs of our colleagues,” he said.
NESLI national director, Damien Farrell, the organisation was “delighted” to be strengthening our partnership with QELi.
“This partnership brings together two innovative leaders in the field of professional development for educators, both heavily committed to the improvements in student outcomes that great leadership generates in our schools,” he said.
Farrell said a defining characteristic of the partnership is the two organisations’ shared vision and focus.
“Separately we are already supporting school leadership teams to achieve school improvement success by designing work-integrated programs that align to school contexts, are powered by partnerships with industry leaders and research, and are designed for educators at specific career stages,” he said.
“Together, we can maximise our reach and impact, ultimately for the benefit of all students.”
Farrell said NESLI is also very keen to explore with the team at QELi “areas of shared concern” in the teacher and principal wellbeing space, as well as the ways that school leaders can support early career teachers to thrive in Queensland schools.
QELi and NESLI will launch the first joint cohort of the online Women’s Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) on Tuesday 30 July 2019, with a blended learning health and wellbeing program due to follow shortly after, commencing later in the year.
The Women’s ALP is a six-month online program for women who are aspiring to or already hold senior leadership roles within schools. The program focuses on the interpersonal and behavioural dynamics associated with senior leadership and combines rich, multi-media learning resources with peer level discussion and collaboration.
Sue Cannon, principal of Theodore State School and Women’s ALP graduate, said she thoroughly enjoyed this course.
“I learnt to stop and take time for myself and importantly to reflect on my practice as a school leader,” Cannon said.
“I really enjoyed getting to know the other participants and having meaningful learning discussions with the group.”
Cannon said that as a result, she now considers others’ personality traits and learning styles.
“Ultimately, the course enabled me to grow as a leader and be proud of who I am. Thank you for my new knowledge and the comfort that I feel in my personal, professional skin,” she said.