The Board and Directors 2024

Dr John Nicholas Saunders – President

Initially a Drama, English and History teacher, John has worked in primary, secondary, tertiary, and juvenile justice contexts in Queensland and New South Wales.  He is currently the Assistant Dean of Learning: Teacher Growth and Development at Ambrose Treacy College in Brisbane, where he also teaches English and Drama.

John continues as AAAE’s President.

He says “I am a passionate advocate for teachers and teacher professional associations.  Our member organisations play a central role in supporting teachers through professional learning, resources, publications, mentoring and so much more.  But they also advocate for teachers at a national level. I hope that AAAE can continue to play an even more significant role at a national level representing our member associations, and ultimately, every Australian teacher.”    

John is currently Vice-President of Drama Australia, and Chair of the National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE). John also teaches in initial teacher education at Griffith University, Queensland. He recently completed his PhD exploring the impact of creative and embodied pedagogy in developing literacy and engagement in students at the University of Sydney, where he is also an Honorary Associate.

Tim Warwick – Vice President: Finance (Treasurer)

Currently based in North Queensland, Tim worked with the Department of Education & Training (Vic) as a Project Manager on the Shepparton Education Plan. This was a plan for transformational change in the outcomes and opportunities for the young people of Greater Shepparton. He is a former Principal of Gowrie St Primary School in Shepparton. Earlier in his career, he taught Legal Studies and Humanities at Wanganui Park Secondary College.

Tim has led and supported a number of Indigenous education and cultural awareness strategies which have been launched in schools across the Murray Goulburn Valley region. He was the Project Co-ordinator for the Kaiela Dhungala First Peoples Curriculum and is on the boards of Ganbina and of the Primary English Teachers Association Australia (PETAA). Tim joined the AAAE board in 2022 and continues as Treasurer.

Tim reflected on the role of AAAE that “AAAE brings together the minds and experiences of our country’s education associations to collaborate on this critical work of educating our young people. Together we can support teachers to realise their best potential and overcome challenges they may face.”

Dr Katina Zammit – Vice President: Administration (Secretary) 

Katina is the current President of the Australia Literacy Educators Association (ALEA). She works in the School of Education, Western Sydney University where she leads the accreditation of initial teacher education programs, teaches in primary English/ Literacy pedagogy, student engagement and teaching and learning in challenging contexts, and undertakes research alongside teachers to improve student learning outcomes in English.

Katina joined the AAAE board in 2022 and continues as Secretary.

Reflecting on the benefits of being a part of AAAE, Katina commented: “Working together across disciplines towards changing teaching practices provides the opportunity to build collaboration with and between teachers, associations as well as advocacy for all disciplines.”

 

Allan Dougan

Director 

Allan joined the AAAE Board in 2022 and continues as a director. He is the Chief Executive Officer of The Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT).

Allan started his career as a Secondary Mathematics teacher in Scotland. As a celebrated teacher in Scotland, he held various leadership positions in schools and was Scottish Teacher of the Year Runner Up. After moving to Australia, Allan quickly proved himself as a teacher of merit holding positions of middle and senior leadership in NSW schools. Before joining The Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) in December 2020, Allan was Global Head of Education for a large EdTech company–a role that saw Allan present professional learning across the globe and develop a strong knowledge of current and emerging educational practices and pedagogies worldwide. Allan is passionate about relational and relevant mathematics education which helps young people see the beauty and purpose of learning mathematics.

Allan believes that professional associations play a significantly important role in being the conjugate between policy and practice in schools. He reflects “Teachers look to professional associations for impartial advice and best-practice support on all areas of classroom practice and school operations from curriculum to pedagogy. Professional Associations help policymakers to have a deep understanding of the education landscape. The importance of the role that Professional Associations play must not be understated.”

Trish Douglas

Director

Trish is the Immediate Past Chair of the Australian Geography Teachers Association (AGTA), having held the position of Chair for five years. She is a returning member of the AAAE Board. Trish teaches Geography and Economics to Years 10-12 at Eltham College, Melbourne where she is also VCE Coordinator. She is a Life Member of the Geography Teachers Association of Victoria, having undertaken a range of Committee roles with this organisation for some twenty years. Trish is a contributing author to many GTAV textbooks and other resources. Trish has an active interest in supporting inexperienced and out-of-field teachers of Geography.

On the role of AAAE, Trish commented: “Working with members of other teacher associations on AAAE provides the opportunity to discuss common issues we face and how these might best be addressed. Importantly, it enables us to have a stronger voice in advocating for the needs of our associations at a national level.”

Helen Vonow

Director

Helen’s substantial experience in leadership and management has involved working in leadership and teaching roles from ELC to Year 12, across a diversity of education sectors including Department, Catholic, Christian, and Independent school settings. Roles have included ground-breaking work to support the development of two brand new schools in country and city locations.

Helen’s experience and networking over the years has involved holding roles as Executive Director, Australian Curriculum Studies Association (current), Head of Junior Schools F-6 & ELC-6, F-12 Deputy Principal, Assistant Principal F-6, & a variety of F-12 Curriculum Coordinator roles.

Helen has a passion to support the development of quality teaching and learning by ensuring access to high quality professional development, supporting conversation around the shape and development of curriculum, and nurturing innovative communities of practice.

She has extensive experience in event and project management both within schools and the wider community, and also brings to the table business development experience.

In stepping onto the AAAE Board, Helen is keen to advocate for the wellbeing, networking, collaboration and collegiality of Associations in education, all of whom support members in their field of expertise, with the ultimate outcome of inclusively improving educational outcomes for all.

Debbie Perrett

Director

During Debbie’s 35 years of teaching she has worked in remote, rural, regional and city schools as a teacher, subject area co-ordinator, head of department, RTO Manager and acting Deputy Principal.  Since retiring she has been mentoring pre-service teachers in her role as a facilitator for University of Queensland, conducts student Business Management programs both for students in Brisbane and regional areas, worked at Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority in the Vocational Education and Training section and sessional work at Griffith University.

“I have a strong belief that all students are entitled to and deserve to receive the best education possible.  The work of AAAE is important in supporting and advocating for teachers and associations across disciplines at a national level.  This includes considering the wellbeing and conditions of teachers to ensure they are able to deliver quality education to all students.”

Debbie is the current President of Business Educators’ Australasia Inc.