We spoke with QUT alumni, Christopher Dunn, to gain insight on his achievements within the STEM community, and his perspective on making a positive impact as an education leader.
What do you enjoy about your job?
The thing I love most about my job is the myriad of experiences I may have on any given day. A single day could consist of many of the following: strategic discussions and meetings with the leadership team about the design and implementation of whole-school initiatives; meeting with Heads of Faculty about the professional development and pedagogical focus of their faculties; holding professional discussions with colleagues to help support them in progressing to the next step in their career; meeting with parents to discuss the academic and pastoral support structures needed for their daughters… The list goes on.
On top of these, there are the ‘spot fire’ jobs, that just need to be resolved as they come through. All of these experiences appear very different, but importantly, they all require robust leadership and management skills to ensure they are completed successfully. This diversity of experience has been invaluable to my growth as a leader.
What did you study at QUT?
I graduated with a Master of Education (Leadership and Management). When I began my studies, I was impressed by the experience and expertise of the teaching staff. Many lecturers had spent considerable time in a school setting themselves, so their insights into leadership and management literature were invaluable, as they could apply the ‘educational lens’ to the theory.
What inspired you to study this course?
I have always had a keen interest in leadership, and I liked the fact that the course was tailored to educational leadership. Principally, I was interested in examining the leadership literature to help build my own leadership identity, and to learn about the effective strategies educational leaders employ in schools for the various challenges they face.
How has this course progressed your career goals?
This course has assisted me immensely to understand the theoretical background that underpins good governance and leadership in schools. It has helped to solidify my leadership identity around the different styles in which leadership can be expressed (transformational, servant, authentic etc.) and my values as a person. Importantly, it has allowed me to observe and analyse examples of school leadership through case studies. The assessment throughout many units allowed me to reflect on leadership theory in my current practice in a school environment. This practical application was hugely beneficial as it meant I could engage with the literature from a personal perspective as a curriculum leader.
I can attest that many of the evidence-based processes (for example, the policy cycle) and models (for example, decision making models) that I learned in various units throughout the course have been invaluable to me in my role as Dean of Studies. Through the Master of Education course, I have also connected with many colleagues with similar leadership roles in other schools. It has been great to build my network of likeminded professionals.
What are some of your career highlights within the STEM community?
- In 2016, I organised a 16-day study tour for 24 students to NASA and other universities/scientific institutes in the United States. As a result of some of the experiences in this tour, two students mentioned that it was the inspiration for them choosing a STEM-related course in university. These are the golden moments as a teacher that never leave you – the ability to make a positive difference in your students’ lives.
- Being part of a school that was awarded Best STEM Program Excellence Award at the Australian Educator Awards 2020. This was the culmination of great work from many past and current STEM teachers from both primary and secondary, who worked tirelessly to foster an engaging and girl-centric STEM program.
- Establishing the ‘St Margaret’s Women in Science Lecture Series’ annual event, which now runs annually during National Science Week. The free event invites students from across South-East Queensland to listen to pre-eminent female scientists talk about their career trajectories and their current research projects.
What are some of your proudest moments as a leader?
- As Head of Faculty, working with a group of outstanding science educators and lab tech staff to build a collegial and innovative faculty that raised the profile of science and technology at St Margaret’s. Since 2018, we have seen significant increases in Physics (176%), Biology (33%), Chemistry (51%), and Digital Solutions (91%). There are currently more girls studying senior science and technology subjects than any other time in St Margaret’s history.
- Currently, as Dean of Studies, I am working on an academic study program to help St Margaret’s secondary students hone their study and organisational skills. The program draws upon evidence-based strategies to assist students who claim that they, “Don’t know how to study…” Ultimately, I hope that the program builds self-efficacy and self-regulation in these students, so that in future semesters, they are able help themselves to become better learners.
- In 2020, I was awarded a Peter Doherty Award for Outstanding Teacher in STEM for the curricular and extra-curricular initiatives I led as Head of Faculty from 2018 to 2021.
- Winning the ACEL-Q Prize for the highest GPA: Master of Education (Leadership and Management) that was sponsored by Australian Council for Education Leaders (QLD Branch).
