Our Committee

Last Updated on April 7th, 2011

The committee is composed of educators from around the State.  We have members from both metropolitan and rural communities as well as from all education sectors and levels to provide both as broad a representation and ease of member access as possible.  Our main aims are to ensure that the CEGSA Mission Statement is realised and that members have access to quality advice, resources, professional development and networking opportunities.

At the Annual General Meeting a new committee is elected.  Elected committee members serve a two year term. Anyone is able to nominate themselves, or a colleague, to take a role on the committee.  We openly welcome the injection of new ideas and energy that newcomers enthusiastically contribute.

The current Committee:

Trudy Sweeney

President: Trudy Sweeney
Work Place: Flinders University
Specialisms: ICT in Pre-service and Inservice Education
Me in 100 words: My first teaching appointment was at Pinnaroo Area School over 20 years ago and that was where my passion for learning with technology began.  I first became a CEGSA member in 1998 when I attended my first National Conference in Adelaide.  In 1992, I was appointed as the ICT Coordinator at the then, brand new Woodcroft Primary School where I enjoyed a high level of parent and staff support for the use of ICT as a tool for learning for many years.  In 2003, I completed my PhD and received the South Australian Microsoft Innovative Teacher Award.  Since then, I received the CEGSA Educator of theYear Award, became an Assistant Principal (Teaching and Learning) and enjoyed working as an Education Consultant and Project Officer of Leadership and ICT at the Technology School of the Future.  In 2006, I became a lecturer in Digital Media at Flinders University and now have the pleasure of working with the next generation of teachers using ICT to enhance student learning.
Time served on the Committee: I first joined the committee in 2003 where I became Vice President. I became President in 2006.

Tina Photakis

Vice President: Tina Photakis
Work Place: Cowandilla Primary School
Specialisms: Teaching Greek as a second language, Online learning, ThinkQuest Educator – projects, coach, trainer, PD provider
Global networking, Specialist subjects – The Arts – drama/music, ICT across the curriculum
Me in 100 words: I have been teaching for nearly 29 years and have held positions teaching Greek language  and general classroom. I have always loved using technology in my teaching and that was one of the reasons that I joined CEGSA. In 2004, I became a judge for the international ThinkQuest website competition run by the Oracle Education Foundation (OEF) in America. In 2005, I then became a ThinkQuest coach and my team, made up of students from 3 different countries, gained second position in the international website competition. This earned us all a trip to San Francisco where we all met face to face for the first time after working together totally online for 8 months. I went on to coach 4 more teams in ThinkQuest international and in 2009, I also coached 2 teams in the inaugural ThinkQuest Australia competition. My teams from Cowandilla primary school came first and second and won a trip to ACEC2010. I am also an OEF professional development facilitator in project based learning online, and have provided PD both locally, nationally and globally, including Singapore, Romania and America. I have just returned from an educational seminar in Crete, Greece on teaching the Greek language through e-learning.
Time served on the Committee: Joined 1999

Sue Urban

Treasurer: Sue Urban
Work Place: Trinity School
Specialisms: Digital Citizenship, ICT in everyday teaching and learning
Me in 100 words: I have been an Information Technology specialist teacher and Teaching and Learning Consultant for Promethean; returning to classroom teaching. Passionate in integrating technology into everyday teaching and learning to engage and motivate students.
Time served on the Committee: Joined 2000, member since 1987

Michelle Westphalen

Executive Officer: Michelle Westphalen
Work Place: CEGSA
Me in 100 words:
I came to CEGSA in August 2007 and have not looked back!  I enjoy working as the executive officer, attending to all office duties, organising the annual conference and working with the committee on all tasks.
Time served on the Committee: Joined 2007

Commitee Members:

Cherie Pickering

Ralph Leonard

Name: Ralph Leonard
Work Place: Digital Economy and Technology Directorate, DFEEST
Specialisms: National and International activities and coordination of student competitions.
Me in 100 words: As a serial committee member I’ve been President (1996-2002) of CEGSA, a Board Member (since 1997) and President (2003-2010) of the Australian Council for Computers in Education (ACCE) and Board Member of the International Society for Education (2007-2011). In 2006 I was awarded a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society for long and dedicated commitment to the support of educational technology. I was also a member of the International Judging Panel for the ThinkQuest International Competition (2006-2009). Despite no longer working directly in education, I retain a passion for the benefits that ICT brings to education and CEGSA is a vehicle to promote that.
Time served on the Committee: Joined 1992

Al Upton

Name: Al Upton
Work Place: Glenelg Primary School
Specialisms: Performing Arts (Dance/Drama/Media/Music), ICT Classroom Integration, eLearning, Virtual Worlds, Cyber Safety, ICT Professional Development
Me in 100 words: As an ICT Coordinator in 2002 a student asked me “Can you teach me how to make computer games?” I said “No, but tomorrow we can learn together.”  I learnt something then shared with other teachers – exploring the importance of integrating ICTs and student learning.  National and international summits, tours, keynotes, presentations and workshops have been part of the journey.  I began classroom blogging in 2004 and my classes have enjoyed a high global profile.  Previously a country teacher, I now teach Performing Arts (R- 7) at Glenelg.  I’ve been an ICT Coach and eTeacher.  I’m honoured to be a CEGSA Educator of the Year.  Countless hours in virtual worlds as an artist and educator have been a joy.  Personal and professional networks are integral to my learning. I love using technologies to explore and teach the arts.
Time served on the Committee: Joined 2003 and best of all …
I’m the TeachMeet Coordinator. Contact me if you would like to present (7 or 2 minutes), attend for the fun or run a TeachMeet of your own. See the website for more!

Anne Ballard

Name:Anne Ballard
Work Place: Retired – works from home
Specialisms: Senior Secondary IT
Me in 100 words: Did an honours degree in Psychology, married and had 3 children, later did a DipEd.  Taught junior primary and primary classes for about 10 years.  Became involved with computing in schools in the early 1980s.  Appointed first SA regional primary computing advisory teacher 1983.  Annesley College Computing Coordinator R-12 1984-1997, teaching IT and supporting teachers in the use of ICTs.  Technology Curriculum and Assessment Officer 1998-2005 at SSABSA.  Have always appreciated the support I have received from other more experienced and knowledgeable teachers of IT, and now I am retired I am doing my best to continue to foster this through CEGSA.
Time served on the Committee: pretty well forever (?life sentence) Founding member, 1985 I think.  Committee member almost continuously since then, apart from a couple of short breaks.  CEGSA president and ACCE Board member 1992-5 approx, ACCE secretary 1996

David Horsell

 

Name: David Horsell
Work Place: Learning Difficulties Support Team, DECS Flinders St. (currently)
Specialisms: Inclusive & Assistive Learning Technologies, eLearning, Maths/Science
Me in 100 words: I have extensive experience in a range of leadership and teaching positions in school, district and system level contexts including several years as a DECS Learning Technologies ICT Coach.  My work in complex and varied settings has focused on the learning of students from R-12, often at risk through factors including disability and isolation, in face-to-face and blended online settings.  A clear understanding of the complexities associated with a broad range of contexts has underpinned my inclusive, learner-centred approach to teaching across the curriculum with a particular focus on Maths, Science and IT.
Time served on the Committee: Joined 1996

 

Steven Knipe

 

Name: Steven Knipe
Work Place: Assistant Principal: Learning Technologies, Data Management and Assessment & Reporting at Roma Mitchell Secondary College
Specialisms: 1:1, Google Docs/Apps, Moodle, ICT PD, Leadership in ICT, Secondary Maths & ICT, Framework for ICT Technical Support
Me in 100 words:I have worked in a broad range of schools over my 16 years as a teacher, these include an Area School and Adult Re-entry College.  I was a DECS Learning Technologies ICT Coach for 5 years, and spent 6 months working as a Project Officer: Professional Learning in ICT at the Technology School of the Future.  While at Aberfoyle Park High school I implemented and instigated the schools 1:1 roll out to a cohort of students – this initiative was the first of its kind that saw Education and Industry working together – and by 2010 it included 240 students. In 2011 I was selected to attend the Google Teacher Academy in Sydney, which was a day and a 1/2 of intensive professional development.  For my previous work at Aberfoyle Park High school I was recognised as a member of the Australia/New Zealand Apple Distinguished Educators Class of 2011.
Time served on the Committee: Joined 2006

Jacqui Knipe

Name: Jacqui Knipe
Work Place: ICT Teacher: Modbury West School
Specialisms: Going by my name I am literally a “Jack” of all trades. I have a personal interest in Digital Photography and multimedia applications and enjoy teaching such media driven areas as digital storytelling and clay animation. In my new “dream” role at my school, I am enjoying my work in the areas of cybersafety and working with our staff to use IWB’s as a tool for teaching and learning. Basically I enjoy learning about most areas of ICT in education and love being able to share this with the teachers and students I work with. I have worked in a variety of schools, country, metro, area school and primary in a range of socio-economic areas and I was an ICT coach for DECS for 3 years
Time served on committee: Joined 2006

Gary Pascoe

Name: Gary Pascoe
Work Place: Deputy Principal/ICT Teacher: Emmaus Catholic School, Woodcroft
Specialisms: I work with all year levels from Reception to Year 7.
I am a firm believer in ICT being embedded in all curriculum areas and am an advocate of students being producers rather than consumers.
I love it when students teach me new ways to do things and show me new tools to create amazing things. I get a real buzz out of being told by staff or students “I don’t need you to help me with that any more.”
Time served on committee: Joined in 2012

Paul Huebl

 

Name: Paul Huebl
Work Place: St Andrew’s School, Walkerville
Specialisms: Classroom ict integration, staff training, student blogging.
Me in 100 words: I consider myself first and foremost an upper primary classroom teacher. I believe that powerful learning occurs only when the teacher is part of a learning community that exists in the classroom. The use of ICTs in schools should only enhance current educational objectives and I have passionately guided integration along this philosophy. I have previously been an ICT coordinator and a K-6 specialist information literacy teacher. I am completing my masters of eduction in educational psychology and computers in education, focussing particularly on the use of visual literacies in online learning environments.
Time served on committee: Joined 2012