Dr LORETTA GIORCELLI

Loretta trained as a primary/special education teacher in Queensland in the late 1960s and has taught profoundly deaf students, as well as students with a range of disabilities, at pre-school, primary and secondary levels in segregated and integrated settings in both the United Kingdom and Australia.

She has a Bachelor's degree in Education, a Master's degree in Special Education and a PhD (Linguistics and Communication Disabilities) from the University of Illinios (USA).

Loretta has worked as a teacher, consultant and school principal in Queensland and London schools, before accepting a position in the New South Wales Department of School Education in 1984.

She was the NSW Director of Special Education and Equity Programs (Aboriginal Education, Migrant Education, ESL, Early Childhood Education, Disadvantaged Schools etc) with the Department of School Education in New South Wales until April 1993.

She has also received the NSW Government's Teaching Service Medal and in 1993 was granted Life Membership of the Australian Teachers of the Deaf Association.