Dr Karen Cornelius
Educational Leader & Photographer
I am an experienced educational leader with extensive expertise across schooling and early years sectors. My career has spanned leadership roles in metropolitan schools (R-7, P-7), international education in Thailand (Leader, Birth-8), and remote area schools (P-12), as well as regional leadership positions focusing on literacy and site management.
At the state level, I served as Director Primary, contributing significantly to the Teaching for Effective Learning (TfEL) framework and representing South Australia’s relationship with ACARA through consultation on the Australian Curriculum and leadership of its implementation in primary schools.
Academic Qualifications
- Ph.D., James Cook University – ‘Aspirations for equity and excellence’
- Graduate Diploma in Building Professional Learning Communities (2008, UniSA)
- Master of Education (2002, Flinders University)
- Bachelor of Education – Leadership (1988, Flinders University)
- Graduate Diploma of Reading Education (1980, UniSA)
- Diploma of Teaching (1977, Sturt CAE)
Recognition
In 2002, I received the National Merit Award for educational leadership at Reynella East CPC-7 School, recognizing my contributions to educational excellence and innovation.
Current Focus
Currently serving as a Lecturer in Early Childhood, I continue to contribute to the development of future educators while maintaining my research interests in educational equity and excellence.
Photography & Creative Work
Beyond my academic and educational work, I am a passionate photographer with a Diploma from the Centre for Creative Photography. My photographic practice focuses on composition, design, and capturing authentic moments across diverse contexts. I specialise in documentary photography, portraits, and capturing the essence of places and events through my lens.
This website showcases my photographic journey, documenting travels, experiences, and observations through a creative lens.