Following a successful tenure leading the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) for almost five years, Mr Mark Grant PSM has tendered his resignation as Chief Executive Officer, effective Sunday 28 January 2024, in order to take
up the role of Deputy Secretary (Chief Operating Officer) at the NSW Department of Education. The AITSL Board of Directors has accepted Mr Grant’s resignation.
The Board wishes to acknowledge the contribution Mark has made to the work of AITSL, to Australia’s teachers and school leaders, and through that ultimately to Australian children and young people. AITSL has thrived both operationally and culturally
under Mark’s leadership since April 2019, and has gained the respect and support of stakeholders through his work in strengthening relationships that have been forged across Australia’s education system.
Key national initiatives that have been delivered under Mark’s leadership include the launch of cultural responsiveness tools, High Quality Professional Learning (HQPL) resources, and professional learning modules to improve teaching effectiveness.
During Mark’s tenure, AITSL also established the Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) as the key information source on the supply, characteristics and experiences of Australia’s teacher workforce.
The work of AITSL over this period has increased the esteem of the teaching profession through the expansion of World Teachers’ Day in Australia, a focus on increasing the cohort of Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers (HALTs) and ensuring their
expertise is used effectively across Australia’s schools, and the implementation of initial teacher education reforms across all 47 higher education providers that prepare Australia’s future teachers.
During his tenure, Mark has been a strong advocate for national action to support and grow Australia’s teacher workforce, and over the last twelve months has led the delivery of a significant proportion of work associated with the National Teacher Workforce
Action Plan agreed by Education Ministers in December 2022.
The Board will appoint an Acting CEO in order to allow time for the search for Mark’s successor for this important role. An announcement on the Acting CEO will be made shortly.
On behalf of the AITSL Board, executive and entire staff, our thanks go to Mark for his time at AITSL. He will be missed.
Dr Michele Bruniges AM
Chair, AITSL Board of Directors