National Education Summit Melbourne Ambassadors
We thank our Show Ambassadors for their commitment, passion, and support of the Education industry. Our Ambassadors are all leaders in their field who love to collaborate, sharing their experience with the attendees. They look forward to meeting you at the Summit.
Dr Lorien Parker
Dr. Loz has a PhD in biochemistry, is Autistic and has ADHD. As well as being a parent and a scientist, she is a leader in accessible STEM/STEAM education, runs a business and specialises in creating accessible STEM experiences for all types of learners. Dr. Loz focusses on exploring STEM through the process rather than the content. Using familiar and approachable materials, incorporating sensory elements and redefining what STEM actually encompasses means that she engages children in STEM based learning that will build confidence and provide them with a skillset/mindset that will be useful in ANY future occupation, not just a career in STEM fields.
Jason Saikaly
Jason Saikaly is the Head of Libraries and Information Services at The Southport School (Gold Coast). Prior to this, he was the Head of Library Services at Barker College (Sydney). Jason’s professional interests include:
1. How the genrefication of the school library collection helps students navigate, and make use of, the library with greater confidence, autonomy and motivation.
2. Strategies to help students develop literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading.
3. Promoting professional partnerships between classroom teachers and the library.
4. Blending Learning and Guided Inquiry.
Miriam Scott
Miriam is a passionate advocate for integrating technology into the mainstream learning experience. Miriam has spearheaded the Digital Access Pass initiative, a program designed to educate students on safe, responsible, and ethical behaviour when engaging in their online environments. Miriam's efforts have made a significant impact on both the education and business communities, empowering students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Trent Ray
Trent Ray is a former primary school teacher and co-founder of the Cyber Safety Project. He believes in the power of arming individuals and communities with knowledge and skills to drive meaningful impact. Trent’s natural talent for creating engaging learning experiences has seen him work with schools and communities across Australian and New Zealand. With the ever increasing imperative to build future ready skills for people of all ages, he now devotes his time to designing and delivering whole community approaches to cyber safety and digital wellbeing education programs.
Dr. Raul Villamarin Rodriguez
Dr. Raul Villamarin Rodriguez is the Vice President, Woxsen University. Dr. Rodríguez is an Adjunct Professor at Universidad del Externado, Colombia and member of the International Advisory Board at IBS Ranepa, Russian Federation, and a member of the IAB, University of Pécs Faculty of Business and Economics. He is also a member of the Advisory Board at PUCPR, Johannesburg Business School, SA, and Milpark Business School, South Africa along with PetThinQ Inc, and SpaceBasic, Inc. He is a visiting professor at Uni. del Rosario, and Expert at UNESCO.
Trudy Parkin
Over twenty years teaching in a primary school, at times kids behaviour was challenging - especially those with hyperactive ADHD! They pushed my boundaries and pressed my buttons - oh wow it use to be a battle of control! Fast forward… I received an ADHD diagnosis in my late 40s and the diagnosis unlocked the key and 150 (well nearly) new awarenesses and aha moments! Fast, fast forward… Our words are IMPORTANT and they create the narrative for students. Fast, fast, fast forward… I studied to become an ADHD Life Coach, I now educate teachers at my own ADHD hub in Melbourne. I coach children/tweens/teens who have ADHD. Connection - self esteem - wellbeing - advocacy - agency - awareness - empathy
Adriano Di Prato
Adriano serves as the Academic Operations Manager at LCI Melbourne, a progressive art, design, and enterprise institute that is part of a global network of 23 campuses, originally founded as LaSalle College International in Montreal, Canada, 60 years ago. He co-hosts the renowned Australian educational podcast, #GameChangers, and is a co-author of the bestselling book, 'Game Changers: Leading Today’s Learning for Tomorrow’s World.' In 2023, ISC Research UK recognised Adriano on its list of Edruptors of 2022, acknowledging his status as an international education influencer
Shyam Barr
Dr Shyam Barr is a Professional Associate (Adjunct) of the Faculty of Education at the University of Canberra. For the past 4 years, he worked as an Assistant Professor of Learning Sciences – Design and Pedagogy, and his research explores school improvement initiatives and evidence-informed teaching approaches for fostering students’ self-regulated learning in classrooms.
Louise Wallace-Richards
Louise Wallace-Richards has worked in government, independent and international schools over a 35 year career. She currently holds the role of Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning at Radford College in the ACT. Louise’s formal tertiary qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts Honours, Master of Education, Diploma in Education and a Graduate Certificate in Arts. Louise believes that all educators can improve the learning experience for their students by being open to learning new approaches to teaching and learning and adapting their pedagogical practice to the learning needs of their students. Her most recent evidence based work in her current school has centred on a 3 phase project working with Dr Shyam Barr on teaching students to self regulate their learning. Radford College’s teachers have learned that without focusing on teaching students the strategies to self regulate their learning students cannot attain their personal best.