Dr Michele Bruniges has been appointed as the new Director-General of the Department of Education and Communities and Managing Director of TAFE NSW.

 

Dr Bruniges has been overseeing the national school reform agenda as an associate secretary in the schools cluster of the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

 

The NSW Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli, said he was delighted that Dr Bruniges had accepted one of the state's most important public sector jobs.

 

"Dr Bruniges has extensive leadership and management experience in the education sectors in NSW, the ACT and at the Commonwealth level. Her understanding of the key contemporary national and international education issues and challenges is second to none. " Mr Piccoli said.

 

Dr Bruniges was Chief Executive of the ACT Department of Education and Training from 2005 to 2008.

 

She had previously held senior management positions in the NSW Department of Education and Training.

 

Dr Bruniges started her career in 1980 as a primary teacher at Leppington Public School before switching to secondary Mathematics and Computing Studies' teaching at St Johns Park High School and Ingleburn High School.

 

She has also worked as a teacher for TAFE and the Adult Migrant Education Service.

 

Dr Bruniges has a PhD in educational measurement, a Master's degree in education from the University of New South Wales, a Graduate Diploma in educational studies and a Diploma in teaching from Goulburn College of Advanced Education.

 

She is also:  

  • a fellow of the Australian College of Educators
  • the recipient of numerous professional awards, including a Churchill Fellowship and an Exceptional Service Award from the Professional Teachers' Council NSW
  • a graduate of the Institute of Company Directors.

 

Dr Bruniges is expected to take from the acting director-general, Pam Christie, in late August.