Description
The first year of the AISWA Early Career Teacher program is designed to support and develop educators who are in the early stages of their teaching careers. This scoped and sequenced program provides early career teachers with the necessary training, mentorship, and support to assist them in being effective and successful practitioners in the classroom, as well as active contributors to their school context.
Presenters
Meika Pfeiffer-Gough (AISWA Staff)
Manager | Leadership And Teaching Excellence

Meika Pfeiffer-Gough is the Leadership and Teaching Excellence Manager at AISWA, part of the Curriculum and School Improvement Directorate. With 19 years of experience as a teacher and leader across diverse PK-12 educational settings, Meika is committed to promoting excellence in teaching and leadership. She highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and relational trust in building strong, respectful connections within school communities, recognizing these as essential for creating positive learning environments and inspiring growth. Passionate about leadership development, Meika works to empower confident, reflective leaders who drive collective success.
Michele Blacklock (AISWA Staff)
Senior Psychologist

Michele is a registered psychologist with extensive experience working in the education sector. She has held positions in both public and private schools across metropolitan and regional locations. Michele joined AISWA in 2023 where she is enjoying the variety and vibrancy that independent schools offer – no two days are the same. Michele values and appreciates the reach that a school psychologist can have; she brings warmth, wisdom, and a practical approach to her work.
Lynne Nixon (AISWA Staff)
Consultant | Child Protection

Over the past 40 years, Lynne has gained extensive experience in both education and small business ownership. Her teaching career in NSW and WA spans early childhood, primary, and lower secondary classrooms, as well as special needs education and music. She has also held school leadership roles, including Principal of an independent school in WA. In addition, Lynne has supported and mentored school leaders and assisted schools through the school registration process.
Since joining AISWA in 2017, Lynne has demonstrated her passion for supporting schools in the areas of special needs education and child protection. Her roles have included Inclusive Education Consultant and Coordinator, and she currently serves as a Child Protection Consultant.
In her current role, Lynne provides guidance and support to all AISWA schools in the areas of child safety and protection. She is the key contact for inquiries related to child abuse, including mandatory reporting, and delivers a variety of training programs focused on preventing and responding to child abuse, ensuring schools meet registration requirements.
Nancy Pavisich

Dr. Nancy Pavisich is a distinguished Leadership, Management and Communication Consultant. She has dedicated her career to working with leaders, teams, corporate clients, teachers, mentors, and coaches, fostering their personal and professional growth.
Dr Nancy's extensive experience in Education spans across Catholic, Government, and Independent Schools, where she has researched, designed, implemented, and evaluated programs at the system, organisational, team, and individual levels. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Mentoring, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, and qualifications in Business Management and Strategy, Neuroleadership, and Training and Assessment.
As a former senior leader in schools, Dr. Nancy has honed her expertise and is a certified facilitator for Lifestyles and Group Styles Inventory, DISC, EQI 2.0, Print, and Educator Impact Tools. Currently, she lectures in Leadership and Education at Edith Cowan University and serves as a Sessional Tutor at the University of Notre Dame. Additionally, Dr Nancy contributes to the Australian Institute of Management MBA program as a facilitator and workshop designer.
Dr. Nancy's commitment to leadership and education is underpinned by evidence-based research, which she has documented in various professional and non-professional journals. Her dedication to excellence has been recognised through numerous awards, including the New Voice Scholarship Award (2020), a Certificate of Excellence in Educational Leadership from ACELWA (2021), a Post Graduate Award from the Western Australian Institute for Educational Research (2022), and the ACEL Fellowship Award (2022). In 2024, she was nominated Leadership Consultant and Leadership Professional of the Year for the Institute for Learning and Performance for the Asia Pacific Region.
Dr Nancy is also the author to two 5-star reviewed books: It's All About It! Evidence-based, practical guide to workplace communications and Show Up and Lead (Unlock the power of self-awareness and be your best self at work).
Terms & Conditions
Please click here to view our general terms and conditions
Segments
Teacher Identity: Welcome to the profession. (Day 1) First Year ECTs
Date / Time
22 Apr 2024 Starts: 08:30 Finishes: 15:30Delivery Format : In Person
PL Hours : 7.00
Professional Identity - Engaging with stakeholders (Day 2) First Year ECTs
Date / Time
23 Apr 2024 Starts: 08:30 Finishes: 15:30Delivery Format : In Person
PL Hours : 7.00
Curriculum - An education worth having (Day 3) First Year ECTs
Date / Time
30 Jul 2024 Starts: 08:30 Finishes: 15:30Delivery Format : In Person
PL Hours : 7.00
Reflective and responsive action (Day 4) First Year ECTs
Date / Time
11 Oct 2024 Starts: 08:30 Finishes: 15:30Delivery Format : In Person