Academy Alumni Artificial Intelligence in Education Webinar Series

Rachael Patrick is a seasoned teacher and educational leader, specialising in the Humanities and STEM education through a Geography lens. As a 2023 ‘The Educator Hotlist’ winner and currently the ‘Expert Teacher in Residence (the Humanities)’ at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, Rachael is dedicated to advancing evidence-informed practice in schools and bespoke curriculum design. Passionate about supporting teacher growth and development, she strives to empower educators with the skills and knowledge needed to enhance student learning experiences.

She is committed to educational excellence and continually explores innovative approaches that benefit both teachers and students alike. Rachael is excited about the future possibilities of AI in education and is leading all school staff to safely and ethically utilise AI in all levels of education.

Brendan is a current Expert Teacher in Residence for Health and Physical Education, having completed a Doctor of Education focusing on the applicability of feedback and metacognition in a professional sporting environment. Brendan has over 10 years of experience in secondary school education, including leading the development of STEM education programs within schools, and has held various positions of leadership within schools. Brendan's work in STEM has resulted in leading STEM professional development programs for teachers across the state, facilitation of STEM Innovation Programs for the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools and, the development of school-based partnerships with the Australian Space Agency and NASA through the Growing Beyond Earth Program. Brendan is experienced in leading teachers and education staff to develop skills with genAI and explore safe and ethical implementation of genAI tools in schools.

An educator and leader with over 15 years of experience, Emma is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, specialising in Technologies. Emma is passionate about empowering educators through instructional coaching and The Impact Cycle. She has a strong interest in fostering girls’ engagement in STEM and has consulted with the Academy of Enterprising Girls, an entrepreneurship initiative. Emma is committed to empowering educators to integrate technology meaningfully, enhance student engagement and build a culture of continuous learning and innovation. She believes all students should see themselves as capable, creative problem-solvers who can shape the future, and it is the role as educators to make that possible.

Michael is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, specialising in Technologies for the Teaching Excellence Program. He mentors educators in digital integration, best practices and innovative teaching strategies to improve student outcomes. As an Apple Distinguished Educator, Michael is part of a global network transforming education through technology. He has contributed to content development for the Digital Technologies Hub and written for the Mathematical Association of Victoria. Michael is passionate about empowering educators through professional learning, curriculum innovation and hands-on technology integration.

Gill is an Expert Teacher in Residence (English Primary). Throughout nearly 20 years in education across metropolitan and regional settings, she has taught from Prep to Year 6 in classroom and specialist (Digital Technologies) roles as well as undertaking coaching roles and driving whole school improvement as a Leading Teacher and Learning Specialist. She was honoured to be shortlisted for Outstanding Primary Teacher of the Year in the 2020 Victorian Education Excellence Awards. Gill is equally as passionate about her role as a learner, graduating from the Teaching Excellence Program in 2022 and undertaking postgraduate qualifications in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Educational Technologies and, most recently, a Master of Specialist Teaching (Literacy).

Erik is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, bringing expertise in bilingual education, EAL, and curriculum design. As co-founder of South Australia’s first P–12 Chinese Bilingual School, he has led inclusive, evidence-informed approaches to language learning that honour students’ diverse linguistic and cultural identities. Erik is an advocate for translanguaging, plurilingual literacies, and innovative assessment, and he is passionate about exploring how GenAI can enhance support for multilingual learners and reimagine intercultural, future-focused pedagogies.

Thomson is a passionate and purpose-driven educator with over 15 years of experience across various countries and education systems. Currently based in Melbourne, he leads innovative, inquiry-rich programmes that combine STEM, sustainability, and ethical thinking. His recent work involves designing units on biomimicry and aviation, exploring Indigenous technologies and traditional settlements, and employing AI and emerging tools to tackle global challenges like ocean bycatch. Thomson designs real-world, purpose-led, and deeply engaging learning experiences that foster student voice, agency, and action. Committed to developing future-focused learners who can think critically and act compassionately, he continues to inspire both students and educators.