The VAGTC is a parent and educator-led not-for-profit incorporated body that is committed to advocating for the identification and appropriate support, education, and development of gifted potential in children across the state of Victoria.
Ms Claire Reid – Secretary
Ms Karen Glauser-Edwards
BA(Psych) ECowan, GradDipEd(Prim) Monash, BSocSc(Psych)(Hons) CSturt, MEd Melb. Karen is committed to raising the awareness of, and access to, educational experiences and pathways for high ability children. Karen’s advocacy and research interests target those policies and processes which impact upon the availability and accessibility of educational opportunities for high ability students. In focusing on under-represented populations and groups, her efforts extend to the home educating sector, including dual and incremental home educators.
Mr Simon Gitson
Simon is the Director of Professional Practice at Catholic Regional College North Keilor and joined the VAGTC committee last year. He has been instrumental in exploring improvements to our website. He is currently studying for a doctorate at Monash University. Simon has worked in the Catholic education sector for over a decade and is passionate about creating opportunity and advocacy for gifted and talented students. His expertise includes teaching VCE, the Victorian Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years’ Program. He has experience working in the NFP sector, leading a community sports club, overseeing 8 staff and 250 members. Skilled in grant writing and digital communication, he has extensive experience running workshops for small and large groups.
Ms Victoria Poulos
Victoria is an enthusiastic advocate for gifted students and their families and has been the G&T coordinator at Hillcrest Christian College for 11 years. She ran a support group for gifted children and their families which was an exciting space to celebrate gifted students. Her current area of passion is in up skilling teachers. She is nearly finished her Masters in Gifted Education at the UNSW.
Ms Bernadette Sheedy
Bernadette has been the gifted coordinator at two secondary schools in Melbourne St Monica’s in Epping and Mount Scopus in Burwood. She has presented seminars and papers around the state and the country for the VAGTC and the AAEGT. She is currently working on her PhD with a focus on gifted education at Deakin University.
Ms Laura Wilcox
Laura’s has experience in mentoring gifted and talented secondary students in both school and external opportunities. She would bring her perspectives on fulfilling student potential including encouraging collaboration between likeminded students. She believes in triangulating data to identify gifted students. She has a BA (hons) from the University of Melbourne, a Post Grad specialising in Gifted education from Monash University and a Diploma in Prof Communications from the UNE.