Kia Sheidow

Position Nominated: President

I bring over a decade of active involvement in Adolescent Success, including my current role as President of the National Management Committee. With extensive leadership experience as Head of Middle School across three independent schools, I understand the complexities and opportunities of the middle years and am committed to advancing the work of our association.

Holding a Master of Education in Leadership (Innovation and Change), I am also a Nationally Accredited Assessor with AITSL, supporting teacher growth at the Highly Accomplished and Lead levels.

I am passionate about strengthening professional networks, amplifying student voice, and shaping innovative, research-informed practice across our schools. I would be honoured to continue contributing to the governance and future direction of Adolescent Success through this committee role.

Braydon Giles

Position Nominated:  Vice President

I have served as Vice President of Adolescent Success since October 2023 and seek renomination. In this role, I have strengthened our national and international reach by welcoming new Ambassadors and advocates, and by representing Australia on the Editorial Committee for AMLE’s flagship publication ‘The Successful Middle School: This We Believe’. Later this year, I will also represent Adolescent Success and my school at the AMLE National Conference in Indianapolis. Recognised as one of The Educator’s Most Influential Educators 2025 and awarded the ACEL New Voice in School Leadership Scholarship in 2024, I bring a forward-thinking and strategic approach to supporting middle schooling, our association, and our members.

Anjuli Malhotra Dillon

Position Nominated:  Secretary

I am an avid reader who enjoys travelling and has yet to see a musical I don't like. I have been fortunate enough to live in a number of places throughout the world, but have called Queensland - where I have worked in school and corporate educational leadership role across a wide range of contexts - home since 2001.

I have the privilege of working in a role that gives me the opportunity to work in areas that I am passionate about: supporting staff capability development and high-quality teaching and learning. My other educational interests include assessment for learning, literacy, middle schooling, and staff wellbeing.

I believe that supporting teachers to develop their professional practice is the key to achieving great outcomes for students, and I am enjoying the opportunity to enact this in my current role as the Head of Professional Practice. I am also enjoying expanding my horizons in my work as an Educational Consultant and as the current Secretary for Adolescent Success.

I look forward to extending my work as Secretary of the association and working with like-minded people who are passionate about helping others achieve their potential. I welcome this opportunity to continue to connect, grow, and contribute to the success of the organisation.

Gerard Alford

Position Nominated: Treasurer

I am the current Treasurer of Adolescent Success.

I am an experienced education consultant, author and publisher. Over 20 years experience in Secondary teaching in NSW, Tasmania, Queensland and UK. I have held a range of school leadership positions, including Head of Department, (Acting) Director of Studies and Dean of Staff. I am an author and editor of the best-selling companion series; the innovative teachers' companion (the leading teacher diary in Australia), innovative student companion and beginning teachers' companion.  With my team, I have assisted many schools establish lesson observation programs, and I am active in delivering workshops in schools, TAFE, Universities and education conferences, both in Australia and overseas.

Debra Evans

Position Nominated: Marketing and Social Media Manager

I have been a secondary educator for over 40 years with experience in middle and senior leadership. I have worked as an Education Officer for BCE, and have been awarded by ACEL both the Commendation in Leadership for my work in learning and teaching and an Excellence in Leadership for my commitment to the middle years and leading the Association. I am currently an Educational Consultant and the facilitator of the Diagnostic and School Improvement Tool, and lead the work of the MYSOE program. I am passionate and committed to the middle years and to creating and maintaining clear focus on this unique phase in our young adolescents life. I am active in supporting and working with those dedicated educators of the middle years. I have served on the Management Committee as General Member, Journal Editor, President, and am the current Social Media and Marketing Manager.

Candice Byrne

Position Nominated: Journal Co-Editors

Position Nominated: General Member - Qld

Currently, as a Senior Education Advisor (Middle Years 5 to 6) with Brisbane Catholic Education, I bring a strong commitment to evidence-informed practice, student wellbeing and curriculum innovation across the middle years. My career has focused on closing achievement gaps for socioeconomically disadvantaged learners and ensuring every student, regardless of background, has access to high-quality and inclusive education.

Drawing on experience across both primary and secondary contexts in government and non-government sectors, I have led initiatives to enhance curriculum and pedagogy through school and system leadership roles. My work includes collaborating with university and industry partners to deliver professional learning for middle years educators, co-designing the Transitions in BCE Project, and contributing to the UQ X BCE Science of Learning Pilot. As Head of Junior Secondary, I prioritised inclusive learning environments and successful transitions for adolescents by building strong partnerships with feeder schools and families. My background as a literacy coach and curriculum leader has further strengthened my skills in supporting teacher growth, data-informed practice, and fostering student engagement.

I have been a member of Adolescent Success since 2024 and the Australian Council for Educational Leadership since 2025. My values of integrity, innovation, and inclusion drive my ongoing commitment to adolescent education and supporting educators to deliver positive outcomes for all students.

Position Nominated: General Member - NSW

I am a senior leader in a K–12 school and currently serve as Head of the School of Leadership (Years 5-8), which has been recognised as a Middle Years School of Excellence. My leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to the needs and potential of young adolescents, and I am passionate about shaping educational experiences that support their growth and success.

My Clifton Strengths of Strategic, Relator, and Learner reflect the way I approach leadership and collaboration: I am future-focused and intentional, I value authentic relationships, and I am committed to ongoing professional learning. As a member of the Adolescent Success Management Committee, I would contribute both my expertise and my enthusiasm, working alongside colleagues to advance the vision and influence of Adolescent Success in NSW.

I would welcome the opportunity to share in this important work and contribute to the ongoing development of the middle years of schooling.

As Assistant Principal for Years 5–8 at Santa Sophia Catholic College, I am deeply committed to advancing best practice in middle years education. Through supporting the Head of School in the middle years, we have created a dedicated middle school model that supports more than 650 students through inquiry based learning, explicit teaching, wellbeing initiatives, and carefully structured transitions between primary and secondary schooling. My work involves overseeing curriculum design, staff professional development, and wellbeing programs that recognise the unique cognitive, social, and emotional needs of adolescents; which are ever changing!!

Building connections with students is a love of mine and I strive to foster positive community partnerships and parent engagement. Serving on the Adolescent Success Committee would allow me to both share the insights gained from Santa Sophia’s rapidly growing and dynamic middle school, as well collaborate with colleagues across Australia to strengthen outcomes for young adolescents. I am passionate about ensuring every learner feels a sense of belonging and is prepared to thrive.

I believe that the magic always happens in the middle and it is a privilege to be a part of!

Position Nominated: General Member - Vic

I am the current sitting General Member for Victoria and have 23 years of teaching Years 3-VCE. I am currently in my 14th year of teaching in a Year 9 Program.

I have been Head of Year 9 and represented middle years education with both ESA (Ecumenical Schools, Australia) and ISV (Independent Schools of Victoria) through research and leadership.

Being part of Adolescent Success this year has invigorated my passion for promoting the importance of having our best teachers teaching some of our most challenging (and rewarding) students.

I hope to continue this journey by expanding awareness of Adolescent Success amongst middle years teachers and graduates in Victoria.

Position Nominated: General Member - Tas

I have served on the committee for the past 2 years, and in my position as Head of Grade 7 I have the opportunity to effect changes to our transition space to really support adilescents as they enter High School. My team and I worked through the Diagnostic Tool in 2024 which led to implementation of the first of many changes we would like to make to the Grade 7/middle school program.

I have been an educator for over 30 years, from year 3 to year 10, and spent 7 years as ICT Professional Development Consultant with the Education Department Tasmania responsible working with 40 schools.

Position Nominated: General Member - SA

I bring experience in curriculum innovation and middle years leadership, with a relational and future-focused approach grounded in human-centred design and a strong commitment to developing learner capabilities. I am currently the Gen Member on the Management Committee for SA.

I’m an educational leader driven by curiosity, integrity, and a commitment to purposeful change. I believe in designing learning that is not only innovative, but deeply human, recognising growth beyond academic achievement and honouring the full story of each learner.

My work is grounded in strategy and shaped by practice. I lead with a strong vision, build trust, and bring people together to create learning environments that are responsive, future-focused, and meaningful, for both students and educators. I’m not afraid to fail spectacularly in the pursuit of a better outcome for learners.

Position Nominated: General Member - WA

Position Nominated: General Member - NT

I am Head of Students (6-12) at Good Shepherd Lutheran College.

I hold a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning, a Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science), Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness

I have completed the Middle Leaders Program through The Brown Collective, and also undertaken The Rite Journey Training. I hold a Wilderness First Aid Certificate and Mental Health First Aid.

Position Nominated: General Member - ACT

Position Nominated: General Member - Ed Qld

I am currently Principal of the Junior School (Year 7-9) at Southport State High School and have been teaching since 1993. During this career one of my leadership positions was as a Middle School – Head of Department and I have a specific passion for supporting early adolescents in the Middle Years. I have recently completed my Doctorate and a peer reviewed publication with a research question related to Queensland’s Flying Start strategy and accompanying Junior Secondary policy. As a long-term Adolescent Success (MYSA) member I have previously attended conferences as a participant and presenter. I was also involved on several occasions in the Research Roundtable discussions as an Early Years Researcher. I am currently on the Management Committee and wish to continue, and assist in the leadership of the 2026 Conference.

 Kathryn Gray

Position Nominated: General Member - NZAs 

I am a dedicated educator, leader, adolescent enthusiast and Head of Middle School. This is what keeps me excited and energised! I am lucky enough to work with like-minded outstanding individuals and share my days with stunning young women - the leaders of the future!

I am currently the General Member for New Zealand on the Management Committee of Adolescent Success.