About Us

Think Forward Educators is a community of teachers and school leaders who are passionate about the Science of Learning. Think Forward Educators now occupies a unique position as a practitioner-driven organisation providing much needed professional learning that is delivered by educators for educators. 

Since its launch in 2019, Think Forward has grown from a group of 20 to more than 19,000 members across Australia (and even internationally).

Meet the Team

  • Dr Nathaniel Swain

    FOUNDER AND CHAIR

    Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Researcher.  He has recently joined La Trobe University School of Education and SOLAR LAB as Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement. Nathaniel has taught a range of learners in primary school settings, and has a background in speech-language pathology. 

  • Katie Roberts-Hull

    CEO

    Katie is CEO of Think Forward Educators. She began her career as a primary school teacher in the US and for the last decade has worked in education policy research in Melbourne. She holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School.

    Email: katie@thinkforwardeducators.org

  • Andy Suttle

    BOARD MEMBER

    A management consultant with extensive multi-sector experience in process improvement, production, organisational change and people & culture. Andy is a life-long learner, she holds an MBA and is certified in the 6-sigma process improvement methodology. She is passionate about providing equitable access to education and is an experienced advocate for the science of reading and learning.

  • Reid Smith

    BOARD MEMBER

    Co-CEO of Ochre Education. Reid is also an experienced teacher at both primary and secondary level in regional Victoria, and a member of La Trobe University's Science of Language and Reading (SOLAR) Lab. He is experienced in developing coherent curriculum across a range of year levels and contexts, and bridging the gap between educational research and practice.

  • Rebecca Terzini

    BOARD MEMBER

    An experienced Commercial Manager responsible for the financial, commercial management and reporting for a number of SMEs in the construction, energy and health care sectors over the last 20 years. Rebecca is passionate about SMEs and start-ups and combines her experience to enhance operational processes, frameworks and the integration of workflows to ensure best commercial outcomes.

  • Melodie Mortenson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Melodie is a finance professional with experience in transformation and driving organisational change. She has a Bachelor of Commerce (Property & Finance) and Masters of Accounting. Melodie is a registered certified practising accountant and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Think Forward Educators is a registered not-for-profit charity organisation.

We are accepting donations

Join us as we grow a community of educators committed to Science of Learning for equity and excellence.

To discuss your donation, or find out more about opportunities to partner with us, contact our team at contact@thinkforwardeducators.org.

Every child succeeds.

Education is a human right; All children deserve to succeed in their learning.

More is known about how children learn than ever before. Our mission is to get this knowledge into the hands of all educators.

Education should be directed towards the full development of the human personality. We see language and literacy skills as fundamental to all teaching and learning.

Join the community.

 

Join our Community of Educators to attend our next event, and access member-curated research, resources, assessments, and practice guides.

All are welcome! Membership is free.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Oh, the Places You'll Go!
- Dr. Seuss