Margaret Shepherd
Margaret has worked for 6 years as Science Adviser at Sydney Catholic Schools.  Her expertise is in the field of adult learning, working with teachers to support professional learning in areas of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. She is also the lecturer in charge of Science Curriculum and Teaching at The Australian Catholic University supporting pre-service science teachers. She is very passionate about using inquiry in the classroom, assessment for learning, feedback, PEEL and engaging students in their learning. Margaret is a long standing member of Council, having been involved since 2001 working in a range of positions including Councillor, Secretary, Vice-President and Treasurer and is our current President.

Julie Rogers
Julie is relieving Deputy Principal and substantive head of science/careers at Lucas Heights community school a DET K-12 school in southern Sydney. She has benefited from quality professional learning provided by STANSW since her initial year of teaching and that is now 30 years ago. Julie joined the Council to give back to the profession, to pass on her extensive knowledge and contribute to the development of teachers. She is passionate about creating a legacy of effective practice, leading and developing teacher efficacy and assisting colleagues to continually develop as professionals. She has held the office of councillor 2016, Treasurer 2017-2019 and Vice President 2020 and recently received an outstanding service award from the Professional Teaching Council for this service to STANSW.

Ashish Rao
Ashish is a Qualified Accountant currently employed as a Finance Manager for a large manufacturing company and has broad finance knowledge and skills. His key attributes include budgetary, financial management, management reporting and cost analytics. Ashish has been appointed to the position of Treasurer and looks forward to providing assistance in relation to our finance related activities.

Susan Filan
Susan has worked in public and independent schools as a secondary science teacher. In addition to teaching science, she ran a campus environment centre for pre-K - year 12 students. She has experience in textbook writing, HSC marking and running teacher professional development. Susan is currently employed as an Education Officer with Australian Earth Science Education.

Ashley Mulcahy
Ashley Mulcahy has been a science teacher in NSW Public Schools since 2008. He has been an active member of STANSW since 2013 and a member of Council since 2019. Ash is currently STEAM Coordinator at Glenmore Park High School, is passionate about environmental education and is currently studying Masters of Zoology. His educational philosophy is not everyone will be a scientist but everyone should have the opportunity to learn how a scientist thinks.

Lauren McKnight
Dr Lauren McKnight is a science educator in the Garvan Institute’s Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, exploring and facilitating genetics education in school and community settings. Lauren completed her PhD in the faculty of Medicine at Sydney University and has experience and a passion for supporting scientific literacy in learners of all ages.

Kathryn Newton

Kathryn is a passionate, dedicated Science educator located in Newcastle. Having worked in public schools, she has experience teaching Junior Science, Biology, Investigating Science and Physics, as well as working casually for NESA. Kathryn convenes the Hunter Head Teacher network for Science and believes that together we need to support and encourage all Australians to engage in lifelong learning to eradicate fake news, to think critically and rationally.