Director and Educational Leader Alison Teece benefits from VELP 

Alison Teece, director and educational leader at Genazzano FCJ College, recently shared her experience of participating in the Victorian Educational Leadership Program, one which she said left her feeling ‘rejuvenated and re-energised’ after 34 years in the early childhood sector. 

She applied for the Victorian Educational Leadership Program (VELP) in March 2024 in search of new information and network connections beyond her service and local area, seeking the opportunity to engage in discussions that considered different leadership styles and strategies removed from her own service.

The VELP is a free program with two micro-credential course options available to all educational leaders in Victorian government-funded kindergarten services, and is now seeking enrolments for the Term 3 program, which will close on 9 May 2025.

Ms Teece is a lifelong learner, and said that her VELP experience has given her a new foundation for leadership, encouraging her to think critically and deeply about her leadership.

“It was very freeing to think more broadly about leadership and hear from the expertise of the VELP facilitators and experienced sector colleagues working across many different service models,” she said.

Through VELP, she started an action research project, which she has continued in her service, helping her to translate her learning into practice.

“Getting started on something unfamiliar is the most uncomfortable part, so having the support to begin was fantastic!” she said.

“As an educational leader, I could then share my new knowledge and skills with my team, giving me a new foundation for leadership.”

Rejuvenated and re-energised

“I connected with others from across Victoria, and it filled me with new hope to see the wonderful thinking and education happening across our sector,” Ms Teece continued, encouraging other education leaders to apply for VELP and ‘prioritise you.’ 

“Take some time to learn and grow through the VELP,” she said.

“The VELP course was a valuable opportunity to add new knowledge and put other pieces together while learning through and with others.”

VELP is running again in Term 3, 2025. For more information and to register, refer to Victorian Educational Leadership Program. Registrations close Friday 9 May 2025.