Presentation

Scott Paris is a Professor of Psychology and Education at the University of Michigan. Dr. Paris' research has focused on cognitive development, reading, metacognition, and self-regulated learning. His reading research has focused on the design of literacy assessments and instruction of reading comprehension, and he has worked with educators in many countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. He has published 12 books and written more than 150 book chapters and research articles. Dr Paris has received three awards for distinguished teaching, including the Albert J. Harris award from the International Reading Association and the Oscar Causey research award from the National Reading Conference.

Presentation

Peter Gould is the Chief Education Officer in Mathematics with the NSW Department of Education and Training. He has a strong interest in research-based knowledge being used to improve, and be improved by, teaching practice. Peter has written a range of curriculum documents including Problem of the Week, Co-operative Problem Solving in Mathematics Years 5–8 and Fractions: pikelets and lamingtons. Peter has chaired several syllabus committees, helped with the development of the primary mathematics curriculum in Papua New Guinea and the Count Us In series for the ABC. His current research is into how children develop a sense of fractions, and what can be learnt from Lesson Study in mathematics.

Presentation

Lyn Worsley is a registered psychologist who works in private practice with families, children and adolescents. She has a background as a registered nurse, an early childhood educator, a youth worker and was a teacher for over 10 years. Lyn is the Director of Alpha Counselling Services and uses a counselling approach which enables families and individuals to find constructive solutions to difficult situations. She regularly teaches at the Brief Therapy Institute of Sydney where her practical workshops on 'what works with kids' are popular. Lyn is the author of The Secret of Strong Kids? The Resilience Doughnut which provides ways of helping children and young people through stressful times.

Presentation

Tracey Simpson is the Director Early Childhood, Western Region, NSW Department of Education and Training. Tracey has been seconded from the School of Teacher Education at Charles Sturt University where she is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education. This secondment is part of a Families NSW funded Early Childhood Strategy partnership project. Tracey is involved in a range of early childhood research and community programs which include the Indigenous Child Care Choices Project, chairperson of the Communities for Children Project (Dubbo Site), academic partner in the NSW Department of Education and Training Western Region Early Childhood Strategy initiatives, Making it Happen In Murdi Paaki, and the Advisory Group for the Secretariat of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Care/Early Childhood Australia - Council of Australian Governments' Mental Health Early Childhood Project.