Pioneering Educational Change: A Collaborative Approach

At the intersection of community, schools, and universities, Associate Professor David Turner and his colleagues are pioneering a groundbreaking approach to education.

"Traditionally, in education policy and teacher education, we have waited for the government to step in and dictate changes—often with a top-down approach," says Associate Professor Turner.

"Throughout my career, I have witnessed numerous reviews of teacher education, and the recurring theme has been external intervention. However, our project is different. This time, the initiative comes from within the profession itself. School teachers and leaders are taking the lead, partnering with the University to drive meaningful change."

In this case, the schools and community belong to the Catholic Diocese of Lismore, while the university involved is the Southern Cross University Faculty of Education's TeachLab Research Group, where Associate Professor Turner plays a key role.

A passionate advocate for teacher development, he finds great fulfillment in empowering educators to create world-class learning environments. Having taught both locally and internationally, served as a school principal, and held key academic positions, his extensive background fuels his commitment to educational innovation. Notably, he spent eight years as the Director of Professional Learning for the Queensland Association of State School Principals.

"The ability to make a difference in the lives of students is what has always driven me," he says. "I have always been drawn to challenging the status quo and seeking new, effective ways to enhance education."

Surprisingly, his journey into education was not straightforward. Initially pursuing a business degree and working in finance, he soon realized the corporate world was not his calling.

"My mother was a teacher, and I grew up surrounded by educators. It wasn’t long before I decided to go back to college and follow my true passion," he recalls.

His first teaching position was on Magnetic Island, and within two years, he was appointed principal at a school in Gumlu, in the Burdekin region south of Townsville. His career trajectory saw him navigate various roles, from teaching and department leadership to further academic study (earning an MBA from Southern Cross University in 1998), as well as a brief stint as a photographer. Eventually, he returned to education, taking on the role of principal at Kenilworth State Community College in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

It was here that he encountered Professor David Lynch, who was spearheading a transformative approach to teacher training. The Bachelor of Learning Management program emphasized real-world, collaborative learning within schools, allowing student teachers to develop their skills in authentic classroom settings.

"I had 12 classrooms at my school, and we welcomed 18 university students weekly," he recalls. "They brought fresh energy and insights, while our experienced teachers served as mentors. A study by ACER confirmed that this approach produced educators who were significantly better prepared for real-world teaching."

This experience ignited Turner’s passion for research and led him to pursue doctoral studies and senior academic roles. When Professor Lynch later established the TeachLab Research Group at Southern Cross University, he sought out Turner to help lead a promising new research partnership with the Catholic Diocese.

Still evolving, the partnership is built on principles established during their previous collaborations—bridging the gap between university training and real-world teaching. Their goal is to ensure that both the university and the profession contribute equally to creating exceptional learning environments and equipping future teachers with the skills and knowledge they need for success.

According to Associate Professor Turner, this dedication to close collaboration with schools and educators sets Southern Cross University apart. Additionally, the university emphasizes sustainability and the integration of First Nations knowledge systems within its curriculum.

TeachLab is just one of three key research hubs within the Faculty of Education, alongside the SEAE Research Centre and the Early Years Research Lab. Faculty Executive Dean Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, co-leader of SEAE and a nationally recognized researcher, is currently focused on the intersection of climate, childhood, country, and education.

"Many of our faculty members have substantial experience as classroom teachers," she says. "Their expertise and passion have led them into research, which in turn shapes how we prepare future educators. We work directly within the school system, collaborating with teachers and leaders to build learning environments that are innovative and world-class."

This initiative aligns with the pressing challenges highlighted by the Teacher Education Expert Panel, which has called for urgent reforms in the national education system. Given its strong presence across regional and rural areas—where these challenges are most pronounced—Southern Cross University is uniquely positioned to drive impactful change.

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