Empowering Students and Strengthening Schools

January 9, 2026 Ed Krutsch

With a career spanning nearly four decades, Lee Casuscelli has made a significant impact across various educational sectors, including both mainstream and specialised services for children with disabilities in primary and secondary schools.

As Director of Education for Schools Plus, Lee brings a wealth of experience as an educator, mentor, instructional leader, and school principal. Most recently, she served as the National Deputy Director of Education for Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect). As an authentic and highly passionate leader, she has guided numerous educators and leaders in cultivating inclusive environments that cater to the diverse ages, interests, preferences, abilities, and learning styles of all students.

Lee is a firm advocate for classroom inclusion, believing that every child – regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, learning style, or ability – deserves equal access to educational opportunities. This dedication has seen her connect with Aboriginal families in regional and remote communities across Australia and become Vice President of Everyone Can Dance, a charity that provides dance opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

In addition to her practical experience, Lee holds master-level growth coaching qualifications and is an expert in the areas of Autism, Positive Behaviour Support, Change Management, and Trauma-Informed Practice. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with hundreds of families and professionals and has shared her insights at educational conferences and workshops both nationally and internationally.

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position.

Since I was a child, I set my sights on becoming a Principal. Over the past 40 years in I’ve been committed to equity, inclusion, and serving students with greatest needs through a range of deeply rewarding roles.

From a young teacher at age 21, I gravitated towards complex, challenging school settings, realising that overcoming adversity and helping those students succeed was my calling.

Because I had a strong drive to make a real difference, I moved into leadership roles early and worked across several schools and diverse settings. Mid-career, I discovered a calling in special education and returned to further studies, specialising in Autism, while working full-time. I was fascinated by the unique thinking and learning styles of individuals on the spectrum, and found myself drawn to environments where I needed to think outside the box and advocate for equitable access to learning and participation.

My special-education work led to national roles, allowing me to support and share knowledge across Australia with the aim of creating a more inclusive, disability-friendly educational system.

From those national roles, I progressed into school leadership: Principal and executive Principal positions across multiple schools, and later director-level responsibilities.

All of those experiences perfectly positioned me for where I am today, as Director of Education at Schools Plus, allowing me to bring everything I’ve learned - from hands-on teaching to strategic leadership - to help shape schools that truly serve every student.

What drives you to do the work that you do?

I am driven by a deep and enduring love of children. By their potential, their futures, and their right to learn and grow. I believe, firmly, that everyone can learn, and that every child deserves the same opportunities. To me, no child should be left behind.

At the heart of my work is a service mindset, and I’m drawn especially to those who need the most help, like children in challenging circumstances, with complex needs, or barriers to success. I believe that in giving support, care, and opportunity, we invest not just in individual lives, but in our shared future.

Because I believe strongly in equity and inclusion, I see complexity not as a barrier but as fertile ground for creativity and solutions. I don’t see closed doors; I see opportunities to find a way forward. Being solution-focused, I enjoy challenges, and I’m committed to persisting until things are resolved.

I’m motivated not just by what is, but by what could be: by the chance to make a real, lasting difference in a child’s life, and to help each child regardless of background, ability, or need to reach their full potential. Because children are our future, it is a privilege to walk beside them as they learn, grow, and journey toward that future.

My commitment to equity, inclusion, possibility, and service is what drives me every day.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career?

If I could go back in time, the main advice I’d give my younger self would be: ask more questions, listen, and actively seek out mentors, especially people who are where you want to be, doing things the way you aspire to do them. I’d encourage myself to surround myself with those role models early on, absorbing not just their successes but their strategies, values, and courage to do things differently.

I’d also tell myself: never fear being different or doing things differently. Don’t be afraid to stand alone for what you believe in, especially when it comes to equity, inclusion and giving every child a fair chance. Don’t ever sacrifice your values. Education - and especially work in challenging or complex settings - needs bold thinkers who aren’t afraid to take risks, challenge the status quo, and pioneer new approaches.

Finally: be prepared for complexity, but always believe there’s a way forward. Keep a solution-focused mindset. When things get difficult, don’t back away, lean in. Embrace the challenges, learn from them, and use them as opportunities to grow.

Any words you live by every day?

I live by a few core values every day, which guide how I act, who I am, and how I lead.

Integrity: I believe in doing what I say I’ll do. Integrity means that my actions consistently align with my words and principles, whether or not anyone is watching.
Love: An unconditional commitment to care, to support and value each person for who they are. For me, love means seeing the potential in every child, every colleague and offering support with compassion.
Honesty: I strive to say what I mean and mean what I say. Honesty builds trust, and in education and leadership, trust is the foundation for meaningful relationships and positive change
Kindness, Respect & Compassion for All: I believe it’s more important to be kind than to be right. I aim to treat every person with dignity, empathy, and understanding. These values - kindness, respect, compassion - are critical for building inclusive, supportive environments in which everyone feels safe, valued and able to thrive.
Passion and Purpose over Profit: I don’t make money my goal. Instead, I pursue the things I love doing, and I aim to do them as well as I possibly can. For me, success means fulfilling my purpose