Across three jam-packed days of learning, collaborating and networking, more than 200 educators, leaders and AVID staff from all over Australia and the US came together at AVID Australia’s Summer Institute 2022.
Following a three-year hiatus since the last Summer Institute in 2019, the AVID Australia team was thrilled to meet participants in person once again.
For the first time in its history, Summer Institute was held at Victoria University’s City Tower, with the event taking full advantage of the building’s brand new learning spaces and teaching technology.
The energy and excitement in each Community of Practice was tangible, as educators enriched their teaching practice with a range of high engagement strategies.
The opening day was wrapped up at a sparkling celebration of the tenth AVID Australia Summer Institute with addresses from Student Speaker Dakota Squire, Teacher Speaker John Cutter and Keynote Speaker Dr Jerome Chelliah.
The event featured an acknowledgement of Dr Claire Brown, highlighting her monumental achievement in establishing AVID within Australia. Claire recently departed her role as AVID Australia’s National Director to become Director, Teaching Excellence Division at The Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, where she continues her work in shaping the future of teaching and learning in Australia.
During his address to the Celebration Event audience, Andy Hill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Impact at Victoria University, officially launched VU Rise Summer Gap and two AVID Australia research projects. The full Celebration Event can be viewed on AVID Australia’s YouTube channel.
Summer Institute was a vibrant and uplifting conclusion to what has been a challenging year for schools, teachers, students and AVID Australia, as we all managed the transition out of years of disrupted learning. Connecting with colleagues from around Australia and the world at Summer Institute was a source of renewal for many attendees, as they head into summer holidays. As one participant eloquently put it, “After an extremely long and exhausting year, I feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle 2023 thanks to you.”
