Mark A. Smith is an innovative educator with over 30 years' experience in the Victorian independent school system. He holds a Master of Education from Monash University and has long been associated with VAGTC. Mark is passionate about his work in gifted and talented education where he has created and implemented large multi-faceted school wide programs at some of Melbourne's largest independent schools. An advocate for guided inquiry-based learning approaches, he has facilitated outstanding academic results for students of all ages using mentoring to cultivate questioning skills, and deep, engaging personal research processes, leading to student agency.