Professor joins education body

The members of a new body that will replace the Teachers Council from July 1 were announced recently, and include Professor Helen Timperley of Matakatia.The Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand will take over responsibility for all matters to do with the registration and disciplining of the teaching profession from the Teachers Council. It also has a wider mandate to lead the teaching profession and raise its status.

In announcing the make-up of the council on June 3, Education Minister Hekia Parata said that the nine members are leaders in the education sector who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the new body.

“I’m delighted we’ve got a group of such outstanding calibre,” Ms Parata said.

All the members but Antony Mackay, who is based in Melbourne, emerged through a public nomination process. Six are registered teachers.

Professor Timperley is currently Professor of Learning, Development and Professional Practice at the University of Auckland. For the past year she has been providing expert advice to the Ministerial Advisory Group for Professional Learning and Development. She is also a member of the academic experts advisory group to ERO.

She became an Ordinary Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in 2009.

The other council members are Barbara Ala’alatoa (chair), Anthony Mackay (deputy chair), Claire Amos, Simon Heath, Ripeka Lessels, Iva Ropati, Lynda Stuart and Clare Wells.