Associate ProfessorJo Raphael

A lesson in inclusion delivered to trainee teachers by those who know

Five actors with learning disabilities are helping trainee teachers at Deakin University learn about what it is like to be different and what it might mean for the classroom.

The Age/Sydney Morning Herald August 16 2015

Drama Victoria

Drama Australia

IDEA

Arts Access

National Drama (UK)

AARE

Deakin University Vice-Chancellors Award for Teaching Excellence, 2008

Drama Victoria Award for Best Innovative Curriculum for Drama, 2004.

Deakin University Commendations for Excellence in Teaching: 2008, 2009, 2010

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

The Drama Australia President's Award 2018

Vice Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award 2016

Leadership Award (City of Greater Dandenong) 2017

The Council of Professional Teaching Associations of Victoria Outstanding Professional Service Award for service to Drama Victoria, 2013.

Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, 2010

Citation: For creative approaches in providing relevant, authentic and student-centred learning experiences to inspire education students to become effective and reflective future educators.

Drama Australia (Director of Projects 2007-2013, Director of International Liaison 2013-16, Director of Communications and National Liaison 2016-17, Editor NJ Book Reviews 2016-18, Co-Editor Monographs, 2019-.)

Drama Victoria (Conference Director/DALO/Vice President/President 2000-2011)

Artistic Director, Fusion Theatre www.fusiontheatre.com.au

Community Engagement

Jo Raphael is Artistic Director of Fusion Theatre, an inclusive community-based theatre company that welcomes people of all abilities. Fusions history is linked to Deakin University and began with a phone call to the university from a man with an intellectual disability who was seeking assistance to set up a drama group for people with disabilities in the Dandenong area. Jo responded to the call and the group was established in 1997. Since then students of Drama Education at Deakin have gained experience working with the company as assistants, performers, theatre technicians and directors. Some have continued their involvement with the company over many years and currently two members of the Fusion Board are Deakin alumni. Several Deakin drama education graduates have moved into areas of applied drama and theatre and special education following experience with Fusion. The partnership has mutual benefit for both university students and members of the company through the energy, challenges and ideas they offer each other.

Jo was instrumental in setting up Drama Victorias Footprints project that brings together drama teachers and their students to visit and take inspiration from cultural institutions including museums and galleries and develop drama and theatre. She has written about this and has developed curriculum materials and projects with the Immigration Museum and the Old Melbourne Gaol Crime and Justice Experience. In conjunction with these institutions she has developed and written drama-based programs including the Settlers Under Sail Regional Arts Victoria tour and peer-mentoring program for at risk youth with Whitelion.