About Michaela Nowak
Committed to Excellence
I am an Australian educator, literacy consultant, and resource developer with extensive experience supporting teachers, middle leaders, and school leadership teams across early years, primary and secondary settings. My professional work focuses on strengthening teaching and learning through explicit instruction, thoughtful curriculum design, and evidence-informed practice. I work collaboratively with educators and leaders to analyse programs, refine instructional approaches, and develop practical, classroom-ready resources that align with curriculum requirements while remaining responsive to the needs of diverse learners.
A core aspect of my work involves coaching teachers directly in the classroom, where I model research-based instructional practices alongside educators. This includes demonstrating explicit teaching, effective lesson structure, purposeful questioning, and responsive differentiation in real-time classroom contexts. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with teachers supports the translation of theory into practice in ways that are practical, sustainable, and immediately relevant to students. In addition to classroom coaching, I work closely with school leaders—principals and assistant principals to develop the capability of middle leaders. This includes supporting leaders to effectively lead Professional Learning Teams (PLTs), facilitate teacher inquiry cycles, guide collaborative team planning, and build shared instructional clarity across year levels and learning areas. Through this work I assist leadership teams to enact School Strategic Plans and implement Annual Implementation Plans with fidelity and purpose.
I also coach emerging leaders, supporting them to develop the skills and confidence required to mentor graduate teachers and teachers on Permission to Teach pathways. This layered approach to leadership development strengthens instructional practice across the school while building internal capacity and sustainability. Alongside in-school coaching and leadership development, I design and deliver professional development training days and workshops tailored to school priorities. These sessions are practical, evidence-based, and grounded in classroom realities, supporting staff to deepen their understanding of effective pedagogy and apply it with confidence. I have a particular interest in early literacy development, neurodivergent-affirming practice, and the application of research into authentic classroom settings. My work draws on well-established literacy frameworks and contemporary educational research, with a strong emphasis on clarity, coherence, and high-impact teaching strategies.
Since 2019, my work through Nowak Consulting has supported schools to build strong instructional foundations, develop leadership capacity, and improve outcomes for both teachers and students. My approach is collaborative, reflective, and practical—focused on building confidence, consistency, and clarity at every level of a school.