Dr Tim McDonald has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Y WA since August 2021. He was previously the Executive Director of Catholic Education Western Australia, Associate Professor at Edith Cowan University and CEO of Generation One at Minderoo Foundation. Across more than two decades in education, Tim has worked as a teacher, school leader, system leader, researcher and advocate with a clear focus on equity, evidence-informed practice, and creating environments where all children and young people can flourish.
Tim has worked with the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) as a subject matter expert on the development of classroom management resources for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) educators, school teachers and leaders. His first book, Classroom Management: Engaging Students in Learning, was published in 2010 and is now in its third edition, supporting thousands of teachers and schools to change behaviour and build positive learning environments.
Since that first edition, Tim has continued to work alongside teachers, leaders and schools across Australia — coaching in classrooms, observing practice, and learning from the people doing the work every day. That ongoing partnership, combined with his work with AERO and the emerging evidence base around effective classroom practice, has informed his new book, Classroom Management: The Foundation for Learning, released in June 2026. Born out of the recent lived reality of the classroom, the text is grounded in what works — with student and teacher voices throughout and practical resources developed and tested by teachers and leaders. It serves as a guide for a whole school approach to classroom management while remaining practical enough for teachers to use in their classrooms every day. It is a book built from the belief that every teacher can create a classroom where every student can learn.
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Tim has worked with the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) as a subject matter expert on the development of classroom management resources for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) educators, school teachers and leaders. His first book, Classroom Management: Engaging Students in Learning, was published in 2010 and is now in its third edition, supporting thousands of teachers and schools to change behaviour and build positive learning environments.
Since that first edition, Tim has continued to work alongside teachers, leaders and schools across Australia — coaching in classrooms, observing practice, and learning from the people doing the work every day. That ongoing partnership, combined with his work with AERO and the emerging evidence base around effective classroom practice, has informed his new book, Classroom Management: The Foundation for Learning, released in June 2026. Born out of the recent lived reality of the classroom, the text is grounded in what works — with student and teacher voices throughout and practical resources developed and tested by teachers and leaders. It serves as a guide for a whole school approach to classroom management while remaining practical enough for teachers to use in their classrooms every day. It is a book built from the belief that every teacher can create a classroom where every student can learn.
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Bruce is a professional executive with unique experience gained over 33 years in roles across all levels of the Victorian public education system. He brings deep expertise that enables him to offer invaluable insights into contemporary educational theory and practice.
A respected, internationally recognised leader renown for delivering innovative, high impact and sustainable outcomes Bruce has:
• led the leadership teams that transformed three secondary schools
• established the world class Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership (now the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership) as the inaugural Director and continued to lead the school workforce reform strategy as Executive Director and Deputy Secretary
• driven improvement in 1540 government schools as Deputy Secretary – Regional Services Group, leading a regional workforce of 2500
• delivered Victorian Education State reforms including the range of high impact learning improvement resources.
• Led initiatives such as FISO, HITS, Victorian Teaching and Learning Model, Amplify, Communities of Practice, PLCs, differentiated performance and review (SSP & AIP), SWPBS, Learning Places regional operating model, Regional conferences capability building initiatives to name a few.
• engaged, taught and equipped educational leaders through inspirational presentations that have encouraged an outcomes focus and sparked personal and organisational transformation.
Bruce is a Senior Fellow University of Melbourne and is currently freelancing with his wife through Chapter Three International their small business as a strategic advisor, education consultant, coach and keynote speaker. Bruce continues to work closely with school principals, leadership teams, middle leaders and school networks around Australia. His work is grounded both in extensive personal experience and continued deep engagement with those who work in schools.
Values driven and motivated by a deep sense of moral purpose, Bruce invests in people and organisations with the goal of enabling transformation for the sake of the common good.
A respected, internationally recognised leader renown for delivering innovative, high impact and sustainable outcomes Bruce has:
• led the leadership teams that transformed three secondary schools
• established the world class Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership (now the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership) as the inaugural Director and continued to lead the school workforce reform strategy as Executive Director and Deputy Secretary
• driven improvement in 1540 government schools as Deputy Secretary – Regional Services Group, leading a regional workforce of 2500
• delivered Victorian Education State reforms including the range of high impact learning improvement resources.
• Led initiatives such as FISO, HITS, Victorian Teaching and Learning Model, Amplify, Communities of Practice, PLCs, differentiated performance and review (SSP & AIP), SWPBS, Learning Places regional operating model, Regional conferences capability building initiatives to name a few.
• engaged, taught and equipped educational leaders through inspirational presentations that have encouraged an outcomes focus and sparked personal and organisational transformation.
Bruce is a Senior Fellow University of Melbourne and is currently freelancing with his wife through Chapter Three International their small business as a strategic advisor, education consultant, coach and keynote speaker. Bruce continues to work closely with school principals, leadership teams, middle leaders and school networks around Australia. His work is grounded both in extensive personal experience and continued deep engagement with those who work in schools.
Values driven and motivated by a deep sense of moral purpose, Bruce invests in people and organisations with the goal of enabling transformation for the sake of the common good.
Jennifer Watson is a Principal in Residence at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, and the substantive principal of Beverley Hills Primary School. Prior to joining the Academy, she served as a member of the Monash-Manningham Network Executive and facilitated the Academy’s Inspire: Emerging Leaders program for the Inner East area. With over 20 years of experience in education, both in Secondary and Primary settings, Jennifer is passionate about creating environments in which both students and educators thrive. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Gradate Diploma in Education, Master of Education in Language and Literacy, and is committed to lifelong learning. She believes in building staff capabilities, ensuring coherence, and establishing the power of collaboration to drive academic excellence and well-being in schools. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and four children.
Aaron joined the Academy in July 2024, working as part of the Pathway to Principalship and Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment teams. Before he joined the Academy, Aaron spent the previous 4 years working in the South-Western Victoria Region in several roles focused on school improvement including DSSI Leadership Partners Executive Principal, Acting Senior Education Improvement Leader, Acting Executive Director School Performance and Senior School Improvement Practice Lead. Throughout his career Aaron has worked in a range of early childhood, primary and secondary school settings, as a kindergarten director and school teacher, leader, and principal. Aaron holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Graduate Diplomas in Leading Pedagogy and Mental Health. Aaron is an accredited coach with Growth Coaching International and a certified practitioner with Genos International Emotional Intelligence.
In his spare time, Aaron enjoys spending time with his family, a range of sports, music, gardening, and travelling.
In his spare time, Aaron enjoys spending time with his family, a range of sports, music, gardening, and travelling.
Timothy (Tim) Wilson is the Executive Director for Curriculum and Teaching Practice Division, Department of Education.
Tim is an experienced education leader dedicated to school improvement, teacher development, and curriculum innovation.
With senior roles in Victoria, South Australia, and the UK, he has a strong interest in advancing high-quality teaching, embedding evidence-based practices, and fostering instructional leadership to improve student outcomes.
Tim is an experienced education leader dedicated to school improvement, teacher development, and curriculum innovation.
With senior roles in Victoria, South Australia, and the UK, he has a strong interest in advancing high-quality teaching, embedding evidence-based practices, and fostering instructional leadership to improve student outcomes.
Mark Carter doesn’t just deliver keynotes or facilitate workshops, he creates cinematic, rich learning experiences that spark insight, shift behaviour, and leave a lasting impact. With more than 28 years’ international experience, Mark has helped global brands, blue-chip companies and SME’s elevate leadership, culture, sales, and adaptability through transformative learning and development.
His TEDx talk served as the cinematic trailer for his globally published book, Add Value (Wiley), and he is the founder of a learning management system for SMEs, enabling organisations to translate strategy into behaviour and performance.
Mark’s journey began leading teams across Europe for Contiki Holidays, where a tour bus became a real-world laboratory for human behaviour, decision-making, and leadership under pressure. This shaped his philosophy that human connection drives performance, a principle he has carried into nearly three decades of corporate work as a respected global learning & development professional.
Whether it’s an arena of thousands or intimate workshops, Mark fuses masterful storytelling, behavioural science and actionable frameworks into experiences that are as memorable as they are practical. His work consistently bridges the gap between inspiration and execution, helping organisations future proof their leaders and cultures.
His work is regularly featured across TV, radio, print, and industry media, with clients praising his energy, authenticity, bespoke approach and tangible results. As one delegate put it: “MC should be bottled and drunk daily!”
Born in England, raised in Scotland, and seasoned through world travel, Mark is now based in Australia, blending a global perspective with local insight. An accredited behavioural analyst, his philosophy is anchored in three core principles: Add Value, Be Your Word, and Provide Creative, Selfless Service: the foundation of every keynote, workshop and hosting engagement.
His TEDx talk served as the cinematic trailer for his globally published book, Add Value (Wiley), and he is the founder of a learning management system for SMEs, enabling organisations to translate strategy into behaviour and performance.
Mark’s journey began leading teams across Europe for Contiki Holidays, where a tour bus became a real-world laboratory for human behaviour, decision-making, and leadership under pressure. This shaped his philosophy that human connection drives performance, a principle he has carried into nearly three decades of corporate work as a respected global learning & development professional.
Whether it’s an arena of thousands or intimate workshops, Mark fuses masterful storytelling, behavioural science and actionable frameworks into experiences that are as memorable as they are practical. His work consistently bridges the gap between inspiration and execution, helping organisations future proof their leaders and cultures.
His work is regularly featured across TV, radio, print, and industry media, with clients praising his energy, authenticity, bespoke approach and tangible results. As one delegate put it: “MC should be bottled and drunk daily!”
Born in England, raised in Scotland, and seasoned through world travel, Mark is now based in Australia, blending a global perspective with local insight. An accredited behavioural analyst, his philosophy is anchored in three core principles: Add Value, Be Your Word, and Provide Creative, Selfless Service: the foundation of every keynote, workshop and hosting engagement.
