Lifelong commitment to students and teachers earns OAM for education director

AFTER decades dedicated to shaping young minds and supporting teachers, Michele McDonald has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to education.

McDonald, who lives at Skennars Head, has helped deliver education programs, particularly through leadership roles across Catholic schools across northern NSW.

While she is yet to learn who nominated her for the OAM, she said it was an honour to be recognised alongside Australians from a wide range of fields.

“It is very unexpected, but a real honour,” McDonald said.

“And an honour for education, because education is the future for our young people and it’s great that people are recognised in that space as well.

“Sometimes it can be an area which is perhaps a little under-recognised, too.”

McDonald works as assistant director of learning services with the Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Lismore.

She oversees learning and teaching initiatives across 45 primary and secondary schools stretching from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads.

Her career in education began in the classroom and has included roles at St John Paul College in Coffs Harbour, where she served as technology faculty coordinator, curriculum leader, director of studies and assistant principal.

She later moved into system-wide leadership positions with the Catholic Schools Office and has also contributed to curriculum development and Higher School Certificate programs through the New South Wales Education Standards Authority.

 

Reflecting on her career, McDonald said education had never felt like work.

“There’s no difference to me between work and non-work. It’s a way of giving service back to our young people, really,” she said.

“They’re the ones we invest heavily into and want to see go on to bigger things”

In her current role, McDonald helps guide curriculum, innovation, professional learning and classroom practice across the Diocese of Lismore’s school network.

She said much of the work occurred behind the scenes to support teachers and students.

“The front line is the teacher with the student in the classroom,” she said.

“But sitting behind that teacher is all of the administration and development of what’s coming next, ensuring that we’re meeting standards and expectations for parents and the community.”

She also serves on the Academic Advisory Board for the Education Faculty at Southern Cross University, where she is involved in initiatives aimed at preparing the next generation of teachers.

She said partnerships between schools and universities were helping bridge the gap between theory and classroom practice.

McDonald will formally receive her award at a ceremony at Government House in Sydney later this year.