Conference synopsis 20240805 - Flipbook - Page 13
PANEL: JAMES DANN, DR JULIA HILL, MARK
MCLAY, ROHANI MOHAMAD, KERRYN
SANDFORD
FULL NAVIGATING PRESSING ISSUES IN
MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
James is an experienced mathematics
teacher who has taught across all
levels of the Victorian mathematics
secondary school curriculum. James is
a leader within an independent school
mathematics department and has been
a VCAA Assessor of Mathematical
Methods for several years. James completed Civil
Engineering and Science degrees, with a passion for problem
solving in mathematics. As a teacher, this passion spurred the
founding of student-led mathematics problem solving clubs
at multiple schools and an early-career desire to ensure the
enrichment of highly able students. Despite the success of
his students in mathematics competitions, James feels that
he truly became a teacher when his focus turned to ensuring
all students and staff have access to a rich, well-sequenced
mathematics curriculum that provides frequent opportunities
for students to show their understanding and develop their
skills. James believes that this is an essential key to both staff
and student wellbeing.
Julia is a Lecturer in Mathematics and
Numeracy education at the University
of Melbourne and Deakin University.
Leveraging her background in teaching
and educational psychology, Dr Hill’s
research bridges the gap between
positive psychology and mathematics
education. She explores the power of positive emotions,
strengths, and flourishing mindsets in both teaching and
learning mathematics. Her doctoral research led to the
development of a ‘mathematical wellbeing’ framework, now
used internationally to understand ways to cultivate positive
feelings and experiences in mathematics. A passionate
advocate for translating research into practice, Dr Hill is
collaborating with teachers across Victoria to develop
strategies to support a flourishing mathematics classroom.
Kerryn is the President of MAV and
Principal of Heathmont College. She
has taught mathematics and science
across Years 7 to 12 since 1997 and
undertaken additional study having
completed a Masters in Education and
a Professional Certificate in Mentoring
from The University of Melbourne. She has held positions in
school leadership in the North West Region of Melbourne,
working as a numeracy coach for a large metropolitan
secondary school to assistant principal at another.
Mark works with Country Education
Partnerships. He has a passion for
mathematics and improving outcomes
for rural students. Mark’s teaching
career began in rural South Australia
before heading to the NT. Mark
commenced his Principal career at aged
29 as Principal of Adelaide River Primary School just south
of Darwin. Mark has always had a passion for mathematics
and would regularly take extension maths groups within
the schools he has worked. He has also strongly supported
staff PD in Mathematics and documentation that supports
improved maths teaching and student learning outcomes.
Mark is a bit of a maths nerd and as a teacher, he would
go way beyond the minimum five hours a week of maths
teaching by incorporating the concepts into other lessons.
Rohani is a secondary mathematics
teacher at Minaret College. Rohani
taught in Malaysia and Ontario,
Canada. Growing up in Malaysia, she
only knew the existence of high-stake
external assessments. However, whilst
teaching the Ontario curriculum, she
experienced a system without any external assessments.
Rohani studied her PhD at the University of Melbourne under
the supervision of Professor Kaye Stacey. One of her research
findings highlights how a teacher’s belief system shapes
assessment practices.
Rohani continues her learning journey through various
professional learning platforms such as the MAV and the
Victorian Academy. She graduated from the Teaching
Excellence Program in 2022.
THE MATHEMATICAL
ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA
13
