Earlier this week, the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) announced the appointment of Ms Lisa Rodgers as it’s new CEO following what it termed an ‘extensive national and international search’.
AITSL is a public company with the stated aim of developing high teaching standards across the country through its implementation of its national accreditation system. It is chaired by Professor John Hattie of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne.
Ms Rodgers, who most recently served as Deputy Secretary, Early Learning and Student Achievement at the New Zealand Ministry of Education, has experience in improving system effectiveness with school leaders across education and the wider social sector. She led the Literacy and Numeracy Taskforce in New Zealand and was the lead advisor in the development of the New Zealand Government’s Education Public Achievement Information Strategy.
Professor Hattie welcomed the appointment of the new CEO, saying “the Board was delighted to attract such a high calibre person to the role”.
“Lisa brings to the role the requisite skills, experience and expertise to lead AITSL as it continues to deliver on its key priority of ensuring teachers and school leaders have the maximum impact on student learning in all Australian Schools.”
Due to join AITSL in October, Ms Rodgers said she was looking forward to relocating to Australia, saying “it’s an honour to be appointed as CEO of AITSL, which has an outstanding reputation and an impressive track record in delivering important national education reforms and providing national leadership for the teaching profession”.
“I’m looking forward to joining AITSL and working with the team,” she continued. ” I’m also looking forward to working in the Australian education landscape and I’m committed in ensuring that ATISL maintains its strong relationships with all stakeholders as it continues to deliver its key priorities.”
Ms Rodgers will replace the recently departed Ms Margery Evans, who served as the inaugural CEO of AITSL for six years and established the organisation’s role in delivering national education reforms such as the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the Australian Professional Standard for Principals.
Ms Evans announced her departure via the AITSL CEO blog in May, explaining that she had accepted the role of Academic Director with the Aga Khan Education Services in Paris, France.
