Todd is an educationalist who has taught from early childhood to Year 12 in both in Australia and in the United States. Todd’s professional experiences have stretched across the government and independent school system, public service and the University sector. Todd has worked as a teacher, Principal, Director and as a casual lecturer. Todd is currently the Executive Director for School Support in the Victorian Department of Education’s South-Western Region.
Todd’s division leads the delivery of services that support the health, wellbeing and engagement of students and young people, particularly those from priority groups, in South-Western Victoria. Todd’s team also leads the capability building and professional practice supports to Area teams across the South-Western region including those focused on implementing School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support, the delivery of Department of Education Mental Health Reform, implementation of the Partnering Agreement for students in out of home care, rollout out of the Victorian Disability Inclusion Reform and the implementation of the Department’s Aboriginal Education plan, Marrung. Todd has a passion for the rights and educational services for students with disabilities and those from priority backgrounds and believes that schools are the key enablers to societal inclusion and an essential protective factor for positive mental health and wellbeing.
Creating affirmative environment that promote student well-being, support positive behaviour, and address mental health needs
In response to the increasing importance of a school and educator’s role in supporting student wellbeing, various initiatives and reforms are being rolled out in schools across Australia to support the mental health and behavioural support needs of students. During this session participants will learn about the intersectionality of student mental health and behaviour supports needs which can impact on the engagement of students and ability for teachers to create positive classroom environments. This session will include information and resources which will enable participants at the system, school leadership and classroom level, to apply practically within their roles.
Todd Macbeth will facilitate the session with an initial overview of his experience as an educator, principal and system leader working in the positive school climate space and how, over time, the approaches to supporting students with mental health and/or behaviour support needs in schools has shifted from a diagnostic response to a more tailored, functional needs response based on evidence-based practices. This introduction will be followed by presentations from Professor Frank Oberklaid, Dr Sharonne Telfer and Professor Sharon Goldfeld who will unpack system level, school leadership level and classroom level practice, which can be enacted by educators and improve the inclusion and outcomes of students with mental health and behaviour support needs. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with the presenters through a Q&A session to learn how to apply these structures, tools and tips in their roles immediately.