Dr Barbara Bannister

Biography

Barbara is a dedicated educator with a profound commitment to fostering confident and competent STEM teachers, especially in rural, regional and remote areas. With over three decades of experience, she has transitioned from a classroom teacher in rural and regional NSW public secondary schools to leadership roles in both metropolitan and regional high schools, to lecturer at university.

Barbara's passion for meeting the unique educational needs of high ability students in rural and regional areas earned her the prestigious Premier’s Scholarship for Excellence in Teaching. This accolade facilitated her exploration across four continents of technology's role in catering to the educational needs of these students.

In her role as the leader of Teaching, Learning, and Technology at Australia’s first virtual academically selective high school, Barbara led the development of pedagogy for online curriculum delivery for Years 7-10, emphasizing technology-enhanced approaches. Her diverse experiences include teaching university subjects in curriculum method subjects for Years 7-12 Science and Agriculture Initial Teacher Education and educational change management for an international cohort of senior school leaders.

As a member of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Technical Advisory Group for Science Years 7-10 syllabus development, Barbara has actively contributed to recent curriculum reform in NSW education. Her recognition with a Fellowship to the UK Higher Education Academy in 2023 highlights her expertise and contribution to tertiary education.

Barbara has a deep commitment to education, with a focus on leveraging technology for equitable STEM education. Her experiences across various educational levels and roles underscore her influence in curriculum development, leadership, and advocacy for quality education in diverse settings.