1. Michelle Renee Tham
Details
Michelle Renee Tham
61 Milborne Crescent, Eltham 3095
0438 394 875
michelle@wiseowllearning.com.au; m.tham00@gmail.com
DOB: 2/9/66
Teaching Employment
January 2015 – Ongoing
Owner - Wise Owl Learning, Eltham
Small business specialising in Literacy and THRASS (Teaching Handwriting, Reading &
Spelling Skills) from pre-school to year ten
January 2009 – December 2014
Eltham East Primary School, Eltham
Classroom Teacher
Key leadership roles:
Teaching Handwriting, Reading and Spelling Strategies (THRASS) Coordinator (2012-
Present):
Provide individual teacher support to clarify THRASS knowledge and understandings
Offer teaching ideas and activities to teachers across all year levels
Model THRASS teaching to staff during collegiate time (either in their class or my own)
Promote THRASS to parents through information sessions and events (i.e. THRASS Assembly
and dress-up day for Literacy & Numeracy Week; Parent Information Sessions, August 2014)
Weekly THRASS PD for staff; organised whole-school in-service for term 2 and 3, 2014
Regular THRASS PD provided at staff meetings, as requested by Principal
Level 3 Administration Leader (2014):
Liaise with School Office regarding level 3 budget for excursions, teacher requisites and
classroom supplies. Raise Purchase Orders and order supplies, as necessary.
Investigate and organise quotes and bookings for school excursions and incursions, as well as
being main point of contact for queries and invoicing.
Organise parent permission notices for activities, excursions and incursions.
Complete paperwork to ensure appropriate Principal / School Council approvals are in place for
excursions and activities.
Shortlist potential parent helpers for school activities, excursions and camps. Check
staff/student ratios, Working With Children checks, first aid and other procedures are in place.
Liaise with Leadership and Administration Leaders to revise the school’s Emergency
Management Plan.
Other Roles and Responsibilities:
Consultative Committee Representative (2013/14)
Partnerships for Learning Project participant - Nillumbik Region (2014)
Level 3 Camp Organiser (2014)
Guest speaker – International Women’s Day 2014
School Coordinator for Electronic Use Survey Copyright Audit (2013)
Walking School Bus Coordinator (2009-2014)
ADIDAS Fun Run contact/organiser (2013)
Life Education Van - school contact (2010-2014)
Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) grant recipient (2012)
Teaching Roles:
Year 4 teacher (2014)
2. Michelle Renee Tham
Year 2 teacher (2010 – 2013)
Year 3/4 teacher (2009)
Eltham East Primary School is located in the leafy suburb of Eltham, approximately twenty
kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD. It currently has around 540 students, from Prep to Year 6.
In 2013, the school celebrated its 50th birthday.
Other Employment
February 2002 – December 2008
Latrobe University, Melbourne
Student / Independent Contractor
Roles and Responsibilities:
Part-time student
Independent contractor for project management, town planning and environmental regeneration
projects.
February 2000 – December 2001
City of Melbourne, Melbourne
Senior Project Officer
Roles and Responsibilities:
Project Manager of the Yarra River Connections Committee, a CEO level strategic stakeholder
group established in 1999 to coordinate an integrated approach to the development of the Yarra
River Corridor
Developed an Environmental Action Plan on behalf of the Economic Development Unit, City of
Melbourne.
November 1998 – November 1999
Dunbartonshire Enterprise, Scotland
Tourism Executive
Roles and Responsibilities:
Project Manager of environmental regeneration and tourism projects
Project Manager for Dunbartonshire Enterprise’s tourism and business development support for
small to medium sized companies
Qualifications
2008
Graduate Diploma of Education
Primary
La Trobe University, Melbourne
1994
Masters in Urban Policy and Planning
RMIT University, Melbourne
1993
Graduate Diploma in Urban Policy and Planning
RMIT University, Melbourne
1988
Bachelor of Arts
Social Science
La Trobe University, Melbourne
4. Michelle Renee Tham
Professional Development
In 2012, I was granted Teacher Professional Leave (TPL) by the Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development, which gave me one day each week to investigate ‘What tools and
techniques can we use to improve student engagement, curiosity and learning?’ Together with
another TPL participant, we produced an e-book documenting the process and outcomes of our
research.
I have successfully completed seven THRASS (Teaching Handwriting, Reading and Spelling Skills)
courses since 2008, including the three-day Accredited Advanced Certificate three times. The
advanced training (and re-training) enabled me to support and provide weekly training and on-going
mentoring support for staff. I also conducted parent information evenings to increase awareness
and understanding of THRASS within the school community.
Other recent Professional Development includes:
2014 Bike Ed Instructors Course
2014 Dr Craig Hassad, Mindful Learning
2013 Helen McGrath, Positive Psychology
2013 Janine Gordon, Explicitly Teaching Writing
2013 Karen Starkiss, Meeting the Needs of Children with Dyslexia
2013 AEU, Implementing the Agreement
2013 James Ferguson, Teaching Writing
2013 AMR, Copyright Coordinator Training (Copyright Survey)
2012 AEU, Apple iPad: Beyond the Beginning
2012 Dr Craig Hassad and Hugh van Cuylenberg, Mindfulness Meditation and Positive Psychology
I have also undertaken regular Level 2 First Aid, Anaphylaxis and CPR training by Premium Health.
The most recent courses were completed in 2013.
Other interests
I am a long distance runner and I have completed 18 marathons, including ten Melbourne
Marathons. I am a member of the Knox Roadrunners and Yan Yean Running Club. I have held
several committee roles for the Knox Road Runners, including Secretary and Vice President.
VIT Registration Number 346633, Full registration.
