Resource information
“Love what you’re doing” – Pitsa Binnion
Pitsa Binnion is the principal of McKinnon Secondary College, a large government school in Melbourne, VIC.
In this video she shares thoughts on:
- continuing to learn as a leader
- bringing teaching skills to a leadership role
- how principals serve the community
- the skills needed to be an effective leader, and
- improving teacher practice.
Pitsa Binnion began teaching in 1983, inspired by a great geography teacher. She has a long history at McKinnon Secondary College, progressing from head of the senior school to assistant principal and now principal. She took on additional responsibilities from her second year of teaching, but never sought promotion for its own sake.
Now, as a principal, she does what was done for her, tapping able young teachers on the shoulder and recommending that they take on more responsibilities.
Pitsa has benefited from excellent mentoring and from people who saw that she had something to contribute and encouraged her to grow and develop. She also benefited from formal leadership training such as departmental programs, especially opportunities made available to support more women in leadership.
