Jantiena Batt is a school leader working as Director of Early Childhood Projects in the ACT Education Directorate. She has worked in a range of settings and sectors including education and care services, OSHC, preschool, schools and, as a literacy and numeracy coach over the last 20 years. In 2022, Jantiena received the Reading Australia Fellowship for Teachers of English and Literacy, supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.

Jantiena will be presenting on “Sharing stories - is your response story driven or issue based?”  at SLANSW's The Strength of Story Professional Learning Summit, 4 March 2023. Registrations open soon: Events

Edwina West is an English Teacher from Oakhill College in Castle Hill, Sydney.  She has a great personal interest in the benefits of reading, not only academically but also personally and socially. This has been the inspiration for her Reading Australia Fellowship research which centres around Aliteracy - the worrying and growing trend of actively choosing not to read. Edwina has investigated how Australian literature can help to combat Aliteracy, focusing on what teachers can do about this persistent issue. 

Edwina has been the Coordinator of Student and Staff Development where she was responsible for developing professional learning experiences for teaching staff and for providing enrichment experiences for students with high academic potential. Previously, Edwina also held the role of Assistant Leader of Learning (English) at Brigidine College in Randwick, as well as English and HSIE teaching roles in NSW public schools. After a year of parental leave in 2022, Edwina has moved back into the classroom full-time in 2023 where continues to foster a love of reading in her students. 

Edwina will be presenting on "Aliteracy and Australian Fiction" at SLANSW's The Strength of Story Professional Learning Summit, 4 March 2023. Registrations open soon: Events

Wondering what SLANSW has planned for 2023?

Check out the 2023 Professional Learning Calendar.

Members can attend Online Meet-ups for free*.

Members-only can register for Flexible Blended Learning Courses, each semester (fee-based).

Professional Learning Summits are offered at a reduced fee rate for Members. 

Not a member? Join now!

*Free for Personal Members, and free for 2 members of Institutional Memberships.

Contributed by Kellie Nash, Teacher Librarian and SLANSW Regional Representative (North Western & Slopes)

A conversation between a Year 9 and a Year 12 student comparing the book, Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and the Pachinko television adaptation created by Soo Hugh, explores the question: Is the television adaptation of the book a good idea?

To read the full blog post by Kellie Nash, click here and login to your Member Portal.

Shaun Tan: multi-talented, internationally renowned award-winning Australian author, illustrator and filmmaker.

Contributed by Pooja Mathur, Teacher Librarian and SLANSW Vice-President, Operations

Personally, I feel inspired, motivated and energised after engaging in professional development events. They, in turn enrich my thought process, planning, development and implementation of lessons.

To read the full blog post by Pooja Mathur, click here and login to your Member Portal.

Did you miss the late night mid-week ABC Nightlife show where Holly Godfrey (Students Need School Libraries Coordinator), Cathie Warburton (ALIA),  and Dr Jane Garner (CSU)  talked about libraries of all types and flavours? If so, access via the link:

On the shoulders of giants: Empower, enact, impact

Contributed by Lori Korodaj, Teacher Librarian and SLANSW Member

For the majority of my career, I have had a number of mentors who provided guidance to shape and progress my TL practice. Both local (ACT) and national "giants" gave me the confidence to try new things and step into roles I never thought I could manage . They provided those strong shoulders for me to stand on to see into my TL future.

To read the Top Ten Tips for Mentoring and the full blog post by Lori Korodaj, click here and login to your Member Portal.

Commencing on October 17 and concluding on December 2, this course focuses on Undertaking Action Research in Your School. Over the seven-week course, participants will be provided with access to SLANSW restricted and member only videos and professional readings to support you through the process of undertaking action research in your school. Participants will work at their own pace to complete the viewing and reading of resources. An optional online meetup will be offered for participants, however attendance at this meetup is not compulsory to meet the course requirements. Participants will be asked to post a reflection on their learning at the end of the flexible blended learning course. 

For further information or to register, visit: Flexible Blended Learning Course 2, 2022

Please note: this course is available to SLANSW Members only. Not a member? See how you can join here: Join SLANSW

Join our special guests, author Zana Fraillon and manga artist Matthew Lin for an evening exploring the creative process. Bring along some paper and pens as Matthew just might get you drawing! 

About Matthew Lin

An experienced graphic designer and illustrator, Matthew’s passion for drawing and art began at an early age. He holds an Associate Diploma in Graphic Design and has worked across various organisations, including Scholastic Publishing and Horwitz Publications. In 2004 he went freelance and has since been busy designing and illustrating books for publishers in the USA and Australia, illustrating Marvel trading cards, creating t-shirt labels (B24FLAK and Robotcack), painting murals, and running workshops in libraries and schools. Amongst other achievements, Matthew has won two mural submissions – one for Concord Library and the other near the children’s playground at The Entrance. He was also a finalist in the 2008 Gosford Regional Gallery Art Prize. Tin Tin is one of his favourite comics and his interests are an eclectic mix that include Medieval fighting, West African dance and drumming, and gardening.  

About Zana Fraillon

A multi award-winning author of books for children and young adults, Zana’s books have been published in over 15 countries and are in development for both stage and screen. She has degrees in History and Teaching, and is currently in the midst of a PhD in Creative Writing at LaTrobe University. Most of us will be familiar with many of her titles including The Bone Sparrow, chosen to represent Australia for the International Board on Books for Young People and a plethora of other awards including the Amnesty CILIP Honour Award, ABIA Book of the year for Older Readers, Readings YA Book Prize, and IBBY Australian Award. A few of Zana’s other titles include The Lost Soul Atlas and picture books Wisp, and most recently, The Way of Dog, a touching verse novel.

Register now via An Evening with Matthew Lin and Zana Fraillon