Meet Wagtail Institute Director, Megan Corcoran
The Wagtail Institute vision is for all children to have a safe and magical childhood with support from adults who believe in their future. We recognise there are many adults who did not have this experience, and we need to work together to heal and do better for the next generation.
Megan is passionate about supporting teachers, social workers and leaders working in challenging settings to bring this vision to life. Our vision only becomes a reality when we, the adults, are “well”.
She was born on Wiradjuri Country (Wodonga, Victoria) and lived there until she was 21, before moving to Naarm (Melbourne). Looking back on her childhood and teenage years, Megan recognises that her Grandparents were the adults in her life who provided her with a safe and magical childhood, and deeply believed in her future. Wagtail Institute is named in recognition of them (and you can hear Megan speak about this on Episode 10 of the Wag Tales podcast).
She spent fifteen years teaching and leading in alternative schools for young people who have experienced trauma and significant disadvantage. Megan has expertise in trauma-informed practice and her work is grounded in wellbeing science. She has worked as a lecturer of positive psychology at Monash University, teaching post-graduate psychology students theory, research and wellbeing interventions.
She studied a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology, investigating how belonging can provide healing and improve outcomes after experiences of childhood trauma. While completing the Masters, Megan paired up with the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) team to deliver a Masterclass on School Belonging. In 2020, she completed the Teach to Lead fellowship alongside twenty other Victorian school leaders and continued to investigate the concept of school belonging for her students during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Megan completed leadership and coaching training through the Proteus Executive Leadership Program and Growth Coaching International. She also has a Graduate Diploma in Careers Counselling.
Megan spent time volunteering as an English teacher and attempting to learn Arabic in the West Bank, Palestine. Outside of her working world, Megan trains in the sport of boxing, finding full presence in the training process and getting more comfortable with being uncomfortable!
“I have been fortunate enough to work closely with Megan across two schools over several years. She is highly skilled at building and maintaining positive team culture, and extremely proficient at utilising her practice to lead by example. Megan cares deeply about teacher wellbeing and applied numerous strategies to support the team.”
— Daniel, Music Teacher