2024 Teacher Fellow, Government sector
Aaron Silver
No longer solo: building connection and collaboration in performing arts
Aaron Silver, from Wodonga Primary School, was awarded a Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership Teaching Impact Fellowship. As part of his fellowship, he led a project that established a regional community of practice of Performing Arts teachers to strengthen collaboration and reduce isolation.
How would you summarise your Teaching Impact Fellowship
My fellowship focused on creating a sustainable community of practice for Performing Arts teachers across the Wodonga region. By building strong professional relationships, we have enabled regular collaboration, resource sharing, and local professional learning - increasing visibility and value of the Arts across our schools.
What have been the impacts of your project so far?
Teachers now feel more connected and supported in their work, with shared resources, new equipment in classrooms, and increased student access to workshops and performance opportunities, including the launch of a joint school choir. This collective energy is raising the profile of Performing Arts across the region.
What have been the benefits to date of taking part in a fellowship?
The Teaching Impact Fellowship gave me time, mentoring, and a professional network to lead something bigger than my own classroom. It has boosted my confidence, fast-tracked my leadership growth, and demonstrated that small, values-aligned projects can lead to meaningful, system-wide change.
