MrsStephanie McDonald

I am an Education Focused Academic (Lecturer in Education) in the School of Education at Deakin University. My passion is preparing future teachers for the realities of classroom practice through engaging, evidence-informed learning experiences that connect university coursework with the professional work of teachers. I am particularly drawn to teaching units that are closely connected to professional experience, where I can support pre-service teachers as they develop the confidence, capability and professional judgement required to thrive in schools.

I began my teaching career in 2008 in a P–9 school in Melbourne’s western suburbs before joining North Geelong Secondary College in 2010 as a German language teacher. My classroom experience continues to inform my work at university, ensuring my teaching remains grounded in authentic educational practice.

Since joining Deakin University, I have undertaken a range of academic roles across initial teacher education, teaching in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. I currently serve as Unit Chair for ETP405 – Primary Specialisation Pathway: Pedagogical Content Knowledge and have previously coordinated ETP300 – Educating Students with Additional Needs and EIE702 – Teaching and Learning in the Inclusive Classroom. I also hold a Graduate Certificate of Higher Education (Teaching and Learning), which has strengthened my commitment to evidence-informed university teaching and student learning.

My academic practice is underpinned by a strong interest in curriculum design, constructive alignment and authentic assessment. I enjoy designing learning experiences that deliberately connect university learning with the professional work of teachers, ensuring that assessment not only evaluates learning but actively contributes to the development of classroom-ready graduates. This work has included curriculum renewal, assessment redesign, moderation processes and the development of engaging learning experiences for both on-campus and online students.

For more than a decade, I worked within Deakin’s distinctive Alliances model, which develops sustained partnerships between the university and schools to enhance professional experience. As Site Director for both the North Geelong Alliance and later the Barwon Alliance, I worked alongside leadership teams, mentor teachers and pre-service teachers across more than a dozen primary and secondary schools. These partnerships strengthened the connection between university learning and classroom practice while supporting the professional growth of mentor teachers and future educators.

Alongside my teaching, I have contributed to a range of School of Education initiatives, including transition to school projects, graduate teacher conferences and the CIRCLS program, where I mentored practising teachers undertaking postgraduate study. More recently, I have become involved in collaborative Scholarship of Teaching and Learning projects exploring the professional identities of Education Focused Academics. This work has been presented at a national conference and reflects my growing interest in the scholarship of university teaching, assessment and academic identity.

I believe that outstanding teacher education is built on authentic partnerships, meaningful assessment, reflective practice and a commitment to continuous improvement. My goal is to create learning experiences that challenge, support and inspire future teachers as they begin their professional careers.