Retiring after 29 years at ACU

Andrea McDonough is retiring from ACU after 29 years. Her employment began at Christ Campus, Institute of Catholic Education (a teacher education and predecessor institution of ACU) at Chadstone, Victoria in 1986; an attractive, welcoming, friendly workplace.

Andrea joined a growing mathematics education team that went on to make major contributions to research and the teaching and learning of mathematics in Victoria and more broadly. After joining ACU, Andrea completed a masters course – how requirements for employment as an academic have changed! Following this, she completed a PhD at ACU.

During her time at ACU, Andrea taught mathematics education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervised higher degree research students and also taught in the Core Curriculum.

She also undertook leadership roles including course coordinator and seven years as Assistant Head of the School of Education in Victoria. These roles gave Andrea the opportunity to work closely with many students and colleagues, both academic and professional, whose support she greatly appreciated.

Involvement in ARC funded and other research and professional development projects, including some through the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Research Centre at ACU, allowed Andrea to work with teachers, students, and principals in all school systems in Victoria.

At professional development sessions Andrea often enjoyed catching up with current teachers who she had taught as preservice teachers at ACU.

Andrea also contributed more broadly to mathematics education research and professional communities in Australia and in various overseas countries, with research focus including young children’s learning of measurement and effective teaching of mathematics. One highlight was working as a consultant in Alberta, Canada on three occasions.

Andrea also wrote for and presented at many overseas conferences, which were wonderful opportunities to share her own research and learn from others, with these experiences then used to inform her teaching.

Andrea has particularly enjoyed working collaboratively with colleagues at ACU and other universities, particularly Monash University.

The collegiality, support and friendship of academic and professional staff in the School of Education in Victoria have been highly valued. During her many years at ACU Andrea has also enjoyed and felt privileged to work with future and present teachers, particularly when teaching face to face classes which she has found most effective and rewarding.

Andrea very much looks forward to experiences and challenges further afield but also leaves her colleagues at ACU with some sadness, continuing to admire what they achieve (sometimes under challenging circumstances) and their commitment to quality education.