I had the privilege of working with Debbie for over five years. During this time I observed Debbie embrace the challenge to enact change in an under-performing school that lacked a systematic framework and direction, into a high performing school that demonstrated significant gains in terms of staff professional growth and student academic achievements.   As a result of Debbie’s vision, transformational leadership style and the implementation of a high quality professional development program that was designed to target the specific needs of deputy principals, heads of department (HoDs) and teaching staff; our school evolved into a dynamic, innovative and inclusive learning community.

Debbie is also an expert Instructional coach and consistently modelled best practice (with a clearly defined purpose) for the teaching staff. Middle managers enhanced leadership skills as a result of participating in rigorous middle management meetings, workshops and retreats; in which Debbie performed as a master facilitator who was goal-focussed, thoroughly planned and flexible in terms of the individual profile of participants.

Debbie values shared leadership and as a result built a strong team who were able to capably support the school’s vision by building expert teachers. Debbie consistently draw on an extraordinary breadth and depth of evidence-based research both National and International. Debbie’s unwavering focus to build the capability of all staff and to enable teachers and HoDs to enhance their expertise; lead to improved learning outcomes for students.  As a result, a new school culture emerged, in which staff and students shared assumptions and beliefs around what quality education looks, feels and sounds like; and held a clear understanding of our unique identity.

Debbie’s mastery as an exceptional leader and facilitator is evident.

I would welcome the opportunity to work with Debbie again as she is a remarkable person, an accomplished principal and an inspirational leader.

DONNA SHAY

English Language and Literature (International Baccalaureate) and Film, Television and New Media (Queensland Certificate of Education) Senior teacher
Australian International School
Sharjah
United Arab Emirates

Deb Ward has assisted in me refining my approach to being a team leader.

Through her approach in identifying and clarifying the roles and processes, I have a genuine positive shift in my process and my team member interactions.

JOHN CAROZZA

HOD Signature Creative Identity
Creative Industries Campus

Deb is a highly accomplished facilitator. Feedback from the team has been highly positive. Leaders look forward to her sessions. Deb ensures that my leadership styles and expectations are catered to in her sessions. Deb is flexible in her facilitation and accommodating of my needs. She reads the room well and relates well to all participants.

She is innovative and creative with her presentations and facilitations. This allowed the staff to feel at comfortable and fully engage in the program.

GAVIN BRYCE

Principal
Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus

Deb has an amazing ability to develop approaches that hit the mark on your strategic target.

The QACI groups who worked with her enjoyed her facilitative approaches and the opportunity to provide feedback. People felt valued, heard and trusted in the process. This is certainly attributed to the way Deb is as a professional and accomplished facilitator.

GAVIN BRYCE

Principal
Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus