Liz Calabria is a Strategy Lead and a member of the Strategic Planning Unit. This role is about aligning all of our work to our CSBB strategic goals and vision. I am also involved in the work of the Learning Improvement Program – systematic delivery of curriculum and building teacher and leader expertise.
Who do you look to for inspiration or mentorship?
CSBB is full of amazing people, and I work with many of them on a regular basis. It is exciting when I work with teachers and leaders from our CSBB schools. I find inspiration from their commitment to our students and their passion for learning. I look to my colleagues and leaders around me for mentorship.
How has your career journey happened so far?
After 13 years of being a student in Catholic schools, I continued my education with 3 more years at Australian Catholic University (ACU). After graduating, my very first year of teaching was at a Catholic Maronite K-12 college in southwest Sydney. In the 29 years since then, I have worked in Broken Bay. I have taught at St Agatha’s (Pennant Hills), Our Lady of the Rosary (Shelly Beach), Sacred Heart (Mona Vale), Our Lady Help of Christians (Epping) and Sacred Heart (Pymble). Throughout this time, I have taught almost every year level and held various roles of leadership. All through my years of teaching, I have been blessed to have worked with some really amazing leaders who inspired me, challenged me and supported me. On two occasions, when the opportunities arose, I continued my career in leadership roles at the Caroline Chisholm Centre. The first was a foundational role as Education Officer – Behaviour Management. I spent an exciting four years working with schools and leaders to establish school and system wide approaches support positive behaviours for learning. Then, after 7 years as AP at Sacred Heart Pymble, I returned to the ‘office’ to work in curriculum and Numeracy. I love teaching and I have a passion for teaching mathematics! There is nothing more rewarding than seeing children’s faces light up with that ‘ah-hah’ moment of understanding and learning. My role has changed over the past few years and in 2021, I joined the Strategic Planning Unit as a Strategy Lead.
How is your work making a difference?
My work supports leaders and teachers in delivering the curriculum; most recently, in navigating the phases of implementing the new K-2 Syllabuses. I believe my role also helps drive change through the work of Towards 2025. Through my work, and with my colleagues, I support a range of initiatives that are focused on our CSBB vision and building a culture of collaborative continuous improvement.
What are your current goals?
My current goals include continuing to develop understanding and practices in change management and strategic leadership. I am also continuing to build my knowledge of the curriculum with a particular focus on the new syllabuses.
What motivates you?
Learning! I am motivated by the vision of building a culture of continuous improvement that will make a difference for our students and their families.
Who do you look to for inspiration?
My amazing colleagues. They inspire me everyday with their many gifts and talents and commitment to our schools.
How do you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
Learning from and with others. When new opportunities and challenges arise, I give it a go and give it my best. I listen to and learn from others, ask questions and reflect on my practice – my mistakes and achievements alike.
What is one thing that makes you proud?
Professionally, I am proud when I see teachers and leaders working and learning together, to improve learning for our students. I very am proud to be a part of this important work. It makes me proud to hear from teachers, that the work we do, even in some small ways, is supporting them in their work.
How do you align with the visions and mission of CSBB?
Our unrelenting focus on learning! To know Christ, love learning and be the best we can be is at the heart of it for me. Each of us across CSBB, work to ensure all have the opportunity to know Christ, by our words and actions. Students and staff alike in Broken Bay ought to be inspired by those around them to love learning. Through building collaborative continuous improvement, we all have the chance to be the best we can be and, by doing so, empower others to be their best too.