Northern Territory Branch

Ranae Graham

ACEL NT Branch President

Ranae Graham is a teacher, leader and Acting Assistant Director for the Department of Education, Northern Territory, with 20 years’ experience helping educators to build capacity. Specialising in instructional leadership, Ranae uses that experience to strengthen instruction and improve student outcomes.

By focusing on school and system improvement, Ranae has been able to put her lived experience, professional learning, and involvement in national associations to good use. Over the years, her strengths in educational leadership have garnered recognition for lift in student achievement, school improvement and strategic responses to system priorities. Ranae’s instructional practice was certified as Highly Accomplished Teacher, and she contributes to school reform initiatives such as an Initial Teacher Education panelist. She supports educators to access professional learning opportunities through volunteer work, actively contributing to the Australian Literacy Education Association (ALEA) 2022 National conference.

When they’re not at schools, Ranae enjoys trying new challenges, including sky diving, climbing the Sydney Harbour bridge or quiet time in the beautiful landscapes of the Northern Territory.

Phil Collins

Branch Executive Member

Phil Collins currently serves as the Head of Boarding at the Ḏawurr Boarding House in Nhulunbuy East Arnhem Land. A unique facility the Ḏawurr program seeks to provide students and families living in remote communites a secondary school option closer to home. His previous role was as the Director of Career Development within the Educational Leadership, Culture, and Care Division at the Northern Territory Department of Education. In this position, he oversaw the system-wide approach to employee career pathways, leadership development and the Remote Aboriginal Teacher Education Program.

Over his 20-year career in education, Phil has demonstrated leadership across various settings, including the independent and government sectors. He has worked in primary, secondary, and district high schools, spanning remote, rural and metropolitan teaching services. Throughout his journey, Phil has held diverse roles such as Principal, Associate Principal, Deputy Principal, Head of Boarding and Director of Student Wellbeing, Leadership and Service. Phil has contributed his expertise as Principal Consultant for the Department of Education in Western Australia, Senior Consultant for Growth Coaching International and State Manager for the CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program. His experience encompasses pastoral care, student and staff wellbeing, academic enhancement, system leadership, culture transformation, career development and Aboriginal education. Phil has actively served on numerous school boards and committees and currently holds the position of Director on the SEDA College (NT) Board.

Phil's educational qualifications include a Master of Educational Leadership, a Graduate Diploma in Education, a Graduate Certificate in Education (Student Engagement) and a Bachelor of Science degree. Additionally, he is in the process of completing his Doctor of Education (Leadership and Wellbeing). Phil is deeply passionate about nurturing leadership at all levels within organisations and views the work of ACEL as vital within the ever changing landscape of education.

Brianna Gibbs

Branch Executive Member

I have worked in a leadership capacity in Education across school and corporate contexts, contributing to a range of initiatives in the NT as well as nationally. Completing my Masters of Educational Leadership gave me an in depth understanding of leadership skills from an academic perspective, while my experience working in busy schools, on national boards and in a range of Department of Education teams has given me a varied understanding of what leadership looks like in an educational context at a range of levels. I am passionate about developing those around me, particularly emerging leaders and early career teachers. I relish the opportunity to work collaboratively, thriving off the collective efficacy and knowledge that working within a team provides. Having worked in a range of roles heavily reliant on data, I am passionate about effectively using data to drive improvement on a school and system level.

Brianna has worked in a leadership capacity in Education across school and corporate contexts, contributing to a range of initiatives in the NT as well as nationally. Completing her Masters of Educational Leadership gave her an in depth understanding of leadership skills from an academic perspective, while her experience working in busy schools, on national boards and in a range of Department of Education teams has given her a varied understanding of what leadership looks like in an educational context at a range of levels. Brianna is passionate about developing those around her, particularly emerging leaders and early career teachers. She relishes the opportunity to work collaboratively, thriving off the collective efficacy and knowledge that working within a team provides. Having worked in a range of roles heavily reliant on data, she is passionate about effectively using data to drive improvement on a school and system level.

Megan McKenzie

Branch Executive Member

Megan McKenzie has been an education leader for over 20 years. This has included working as a Literacy Consultant, Numeracy Coach, Middle Years Senior Manager, Associate Principal and currently as a Primary School Principal in the Northern Territory. Megan is a passionate leader with demonstrated knowledge and understanding of current educational theory and appropriate practices in education that are driven by improving student outcomes using achievement, engagement and perception data. Megan has experience leading the implementation of school and systems reviews both in Australia and New York City and through this process builds the capability of staff to meet the various needs of students. Megan has been involved with ACEL for several years and is looking forward to continuing to work alongside ACEL to support the Northern Territory being the most improved system in Australia. 

Joanne Pulsford

Branch Executive Member

Jo has 34 years' experience as an educator in State, Catholic, and Independent schools in Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. Currently, she is the Head of Junior School at Good Shepherd Lutheran College, Howard Springs Campus. Jo completed her Master of Educational Administrative Leadership at UWA in 2019 and has served in various leadership positions, including Senior Teacher, English Curriculum Leader, Head of Area - Year 5/6, and Deputy Head of Primary at Kingsway Christian College.

Jo is passionate about equity of educational experience in Australia for all students, teachers, support staff, and leadership. A member of ACEL for several years, Jo was awarded the ACEL Teacher Leadership Award for Excellence in 2021 and acknowledges that the support from ACEL has been instrumental in shaping her leadership journey. Jo greatly values the professional networking strength that comes from a collective, cross-sector commitment to inspiring the next generation of leadership in education. Jo is working towards her Ed.D with a focus on policy and equity in education.

Genevieve Donohue

Branch Executive Member