Gavin McCormack was sitting at the GESS Conference dinner in Dubai, making small talk and eyeing the dessert menu, when something unexpected happened. As the presenter on stage began listing the achievements of the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Education Award, Gavin’s ears pricked up. Built schools in the Himalayas? Check. Trained thousands of teachers? Check. Founded a global education platform? Also check. He turned to his friend and whispered, “This guy sounds a lot like me.” Moments later, his name was called.
Now, fresh from receiving one of education’s highest honours, Gavin is joining The University of Notre Dame Australia as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Education. A globally recognised educator, school builder, and author, Gavin’s appointment reinforces Notre Dame’s standing as a university that attracts pioneers in education, offering students the chance to learn from experts who are reshaping how the world teaches and learns.
With a career spanning multiple continents, Gavin has worked as a teacher in the UK, Spain, France and Australia, nine schools in remote Nepalese villages, established Montessori teacher training centres, and launched UpSchool.co, an online learning platform providing free education to children worldwide. He is also the author of several books on education and child development, including Raising Resilient Children, which will be released this September with Simon and Schuster, and The Potential in Every Child, which challenges traditional schooling models and advocates for student-led, values-driven learning.
“Education should be more than just memorising facts. It should ignite curiosity, build resilience, and give students the tools to make a difference,” Gavin said. “Notre Dame is a university that champions these values, and I’m honoured to be part of a place that prepares teachers to lead with heart, purpose, and innovation.”
At Notre Dame, Gavin will bring his decades of hands-on experience and research-driven insights into the classroom, ensuring that future educators have the skills to foster critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving. National Deputy Head of School, Patrick Hampton, said Gavin’s appointment was a testament to Notre Dame’s commitment to shaping the next generation of outstanding teachers and educational leaders.
“Gavin isn’t just an educator, he’s a force for change,” Patrick said. “His work has transformed schools, influenced policy, and inspired thousands of teachers worldwide. His presence at Notre Dame will give our students an invaluable opportunity to learn from someone redefining what education can be.”
Whether in a classroom in Sydney or a school built from the ground up in Nepal, Gavin’s philosophy remains the same: education should empower students, not just inform them. As he steps into his new role at Notre Dame, he hopes to inspire the next generation of teachers to see their careers as more than just a job, but as a platform for shaping a better world.
Media Contact: media@nd.edu.au