Cameron Paterson
Wesley College, VIC
Bunurong and Wurundjeri
Teaching Fellow
Every teacher and every school want their students to achieve and thrive. Through his leadership, innovative approaches and dedication to learning, Cameron Paterson, Director of Learning at Wesley College in Melbourne, is helping students and teachers do exactly that.
As a teacher, Cameron’s creative initiatives such as producing audio e-books and historical documentaries, led to high student engagement and achievement including students winning prestigious awards, such as the Simpson essay prize. At a prior school, student academic performance improved considerably during his tenure. Cameron is also award-winning himself: his accolades include the 21st Century Learning Initiative Global Innovation in Teaching Award, a Premier’s History Scholarship, a Minister’s Quality Teaching Award, a Churchill Fellowship, and the Dr Paul Brock Medal.
At Wesley College, Cameron is leading a strategic focus on middle years teaching. He initiated and closely supports the Project Zero Australia Network, including hosting a large free conference keynoted by researcher Ron Ritchhart in August this year. He also instructs online courses for Harvard’s Project Zero, serves on the Victorian branch of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders, and writes for Getting Smart.
With four Masters degrees, Cameron is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence at Wesley College through this philosophy, “learning is a consequence of thinking.” He creates conditions for students to become self-educating individuals and encourages parents to continue conversations about learning. Cameron considers his greatest achievement as seeing his ex-students become teachers themselves. He has significantly contributed to ensuring that students and teachers thrive, impacting education in Australia and beyond.