Profile Information

Always passionate about teaching, after earning a Diploma in Primary Teaching in 1985 from the Armidale College of Advanced Education, Jake went on to complete a BA in Education for the Gifted and Talented. In 1995 he completed a Graduate Diploma of Arts and Leadership, and earned a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Leadership in 2001. He completed his Doctorate in Education in 2006. Incorporating his doctoral studies on building teacher capacity, Jake has been an instrument of change in helping schools undergo pedagogical restructuring. Emphatic in the importance of teachers continuing to conduct their own research and continually seek to improve their work environments, Jake’s voracious aptitude for knowledge has led him to continually evolve and develop both his knowledge of curricula and policy.

Jake has enjoyed a successful teaching and leadership career across three states and four educational systems throughout Australia and internationally. He has been a principal of seven schools over the last twenty years building and leading learning communities. He is passionate about leadership and the positive difference that it can make to teacher and student learning outcomes.  Over many years, Jake has led and facilitated the professional learning of principals and staff at school, national and international level in the area of leadership, school improvement and curriculum development.

Guiding his leadership practices is the key focus on improving student learning. This highlights his educational interests in building teacher capacity through the development of learning in the contemporary world, the promotion of flexible learning spaces to meet the needs of the 21st century learner and curriculum for global mindedness. This is highlighted in his online presence. Additionally Jake is recognised for his passion in supporting the training and development of beginning teachers.

Jake sees teachers as leaders in his schools with his doctoral research being focused on the relationship between teachers as leaders and school principals. Flowing from his research and experience in schools, Jake has provided blueprints for schools wishing to engage in school improvement initiatives. He is the author of six books and numerous articles. Incorporating his doctoral work on building teacher capacity Jake’s expertise has assisted schools in undertaking pedagogical change.

Jake is a leader in the notion of teacher-as-researcher and through his leadership in schools engages teachers to collaborate in revising curriculum, improving their work environment, professionalizing teaching, and developing effective school policy. Jake is called upon nationally and internationally to offer insights into building teacher capacity in de-privatizing teaching and learning.

Supporting education worldwide,, Jake presides as a Governor for ImprovED (https://improve-ed.com), an international organisation focused on school improvement. Jake was awarded a Fellowship with the Australian Council of Educational Leaders in recognition for his contribution in this area and to fostering teacher professional learning. In December 2019 the Global Forum for Education and Learning conferred him in the top 100 leaders in education and in 2020 he received the outstanding contribution to education from GESS, Dubai. Currently, Jake is the editor of the Journal of Applied Research and Innovation (https://www.jicr.net) and he sits on the editorial board for the International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change (https://www.ijicc.net). Jake is the inaugural Dean of the Australian College of Researchers (https://www.acr.college).

Today, Dr. Jake resides in Tamworth, Australia. More details can be found at http://www.jake-madden.com