The National Excellence in Schools Leadership Institute (NESLI) has announced the appointment of an international board of education experts, which will work towards achieving equity of access of educational leadership opportunities for schools and educators in low GDP areas around the globe.
Ten experts make up the new NESLI inaugural International Advisory Board. Co-Chairs Dr Janet Smith and Professor Mike Gaffney are joined by Professor Stephen Heppell (UK), Professor Jan Heystek (South Africa), Mr Antti Ikonen (Finland), Dr Bernadine Futrell (USA), Dr George Odhiambo (Australia, Kenya), Professor Gu Qing (UK, China), Professor Jim Spillane (USA, Ireland) and Professor Allan Walker (Hong Kong, Australia).
“NESLI is proud and delighted to announce the establishment of its new International Advisory Board, which consists of a diverse range of renowned global educational leadership experts who will provide us with strategic advice about our programs,” said Dr Smith.
She said the Advisory Board would assist NESLI in exploring important issues including equity and inclusion, gender, principal/teacher wellbeing and contemporary global challenges such as the education of refugees.
Speaking of the experts that make up the new board, Professor Gaffney added, “Their collective experience in research, policy and practice relating to principalship, school improvement and education system transformation is unrivalled. This will enable the board to provide authoritative and contemporary advice to assist in the design and delivery of NESLI programs for school leaders.
“NESLI’s priority is providing readily accessible, needs-based, futures-focussed professional learning for the next generation of school leaders in ways that are customised to local settings. The board will play a key role in advising on the development of leadership programs that will make a difference, particularly in addressing the needs and challenges facing educators in low GDP countries.
Professor Gaffney said that these are both exciting and critical times in education on a local and a global scale. “The identification, development and support of school leaders is paramount. The International Advisory Board is ideally positioned through its professional and academic networks to supporting our work in encouraging quality practice and inspiring futures for school leaders across the world.”
