TCL curriculum design team

As Lead Teaching and Learning Languages for Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), with over 20 years experience in education, Chloe Briand brings her expertise in curriculum design and implementation, assessment and high-impact teaching practices in language teaching. Having taught in international and national contexts across primary, secondary and adult language learning, and having successfully held various leadership roles in those settings, Chloe focuses on teacher capacity building and continuous improvement in student learning outcomes. She holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Anglo-Irish literature and a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (French/Spanish).   

Chloe is a TCL co-program manager, who focuses on curriculum design, resource development, assessment mapping and teacher support thought professional learning content creation and facilitation. She is a strong advocate for building teacher capital, student engagement, and inclusive practices in language teaching and learning through evidence-based design.  

Renee is an inspiring Deaf role model. She supports some aspects of TCL curriculum writing and is a pedagogical coach across the dioceses, fostering Deaf community connections within the TCL curriculum and individual schools.

Renee holds a Master in Deaf Education (Teacher of the Deaf), Diploma in Auslan and a Bachelor Degree in Primary Education (LOTE Auslan). 

Janelle Giffin has been teaching Auslan for over 24 years, in the early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. Janelle is a passionate Teacher of the Deaf, with a research focus on teaching literacy through Auslan. Janelle headed a school-based Deaf education program for seven years and also teaches in the subjects of language and literacy intervention, Auslan and deafness and communication at the University of Melbourne. Janelle holds a Master of Education, Diploma of Auslan, Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Deaf) and a Diploma of Interpreting (Auslan/English). 

 Janelle works as a curriculum writer and pedagogical coach across the dioceses and fosters Deaf community connections within the TCL curriculum and individual schools.

As Senior Education Officer: Learning &Teaching/Languages for the Diocese of Ballarat, Lauren has a strong background in curriculum development, project management and professional learning. Over the past decade, she has held leadership roles across a range of educational contexts, with a focus on designing and implementing evidence-based programs that enhance teaching and learning outcomes. She holds a Master of Education (Literacy Education), Graduate Diploma of Education (Spanish/TESOL/Social Education) and a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies). 

Lauren is a TCL co-program manager, overseeing program implementation, resource development and the TCL websites. Her work is underpinned by a commitment to educational excellence, sustainable practice, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Jess is a Spanish and Visual Arts educator with over ten years of experience in leading languages in schools and developing digital learning projects across various sectors, including education, government, and not-for-profit organizations. Her qualifications include a Master of Teaching (Secondary – Visual Arts), a Graduate Certificate in Modern Languages Teaching, and a Bachelor of Science in Photography. 

For the TCL team, Jess blends her language teaching and design expertise to oversee the design and layout of the majority of the website, visual materials, and physical resources. 

Annamaria Lacovacci has 10 years of experience in Italian language teaching at different levels (beginners to advanced) and to different age groups (children to adults, with a focus on VCE preparation). Annamaria has co-written and co-edited several textbooks for learners of Italian, all published by Lingopont. She holds a Bachelor of Foreign Languages and Literature (with a focus on English and Spanish), Master of American Studies and Master in Translation Studies. 

As an editor and proofreader for MACS, Annamaria's work is to ensure TCL teaching materials and resources meet curriculum standards and are of the highest quality.

Danielle has over 15 years of education experience with a background in corporate curriculum development and training delivery and primary education. Since 2010, Danielle has worked across public and independent schools as a classroom teacher, French Languages teacher, and most recently as a casual relief teacher. Growing up in a bilingual community in Quebec, Canada sparked her lifelong passion for languages, and she enjoys creating engaging curriculum that blends strong literacy practices with innovative approaches to Languages education. Danielle holds an Honours B.A. in International Development Studies, Anthropology and Philosophy, as well as a Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary) with a LOTE certification in French.

With over 35 years of experience in Languages’ education across Australia and abroad, Jane Liauw has taught Japanese, Indonesian, EAL, and English at all levels, from kindergarten to university. A passionate advocate for the teaching and learning of Languages, Jane is currently undertaking a Ph.D. at Monash University. Her research is focused on exploring primary school Japanese language teachers’ conceptualisation and enactment of literacy teaching. 

For the TCL program Jane works as a curriculum writer and pedagogical coach and has made significant contributions to the program since 2023, from the unit design to the learning sequences and literacy units.

Eleonor Palacio is an accomplished Languages educator with over 20 years’ experience in primary, secondary, and adult education. She has been an examiner and curriculum panel member at the VCAA and founded Farolito Spanish Language School, a language centre in Melbourne. Eleonor holds a Diploma in Education (Spanish/TESOL), a Master of Education (Leadership & Management), and is a graduate of the Teaching Excellence Program by the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership.

 As a Languages coach and curriculum writer for the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS), she supports the design, implementation, and improvement of language programs. Her work contributes to the development of the Teachers as Co-Learners (TCL) curriculum, resources, and professional learning offerings.