I have 30 years of effective teaching experience in the primary sector. I have taught tamariki from new entrants to year 8 throughout my career, from classroom teaching to teaching children 1:1. I have also had leadership roles across the school, the most recent role being SENCO (Specialised Education Needs Co-ordinator). This role has been the highlight of my teaching career thus far, as I had the privilege of using the experience I have gained over the years in supporting our tamariki.

The colour green in the taniko represents myself and the growth I have made over the years in my teaching career. The navy in the taniko represents my time at Waverley Park School in Invercargill where I taught for 18.5 years. It also represents te Awa a Kewa te moana (Foveaux Strait) and the Aparima river.

The teal blue in the middle of the taniko represents Shotover Primary School where I spent 5 years as the school's Senco. This is where my journey with Structured Literacy began. This blue also represents the waters of Lake Wakatipu.

The teal blue on the outside of the design represents Learning Matters and the knowledge I have gained through the support and guidance they have given me over the time I have been on the journey to teach Structured Literacy, and continue to be on.

The triangle peeked designs represent the knowledge that has been built up over time and that has fed into where I am today. They also represent the mountains that surround the Wakatipu basin that I live and work in and the protective nature that they provide in both nature and to the entities in the middle of the design.

I am passionate about teaching and learning. I believe every child is able to learn and make progress.

It is an honour and privilege to be an Literacy Specialist and to provide literacy support to children in the Wakatipu Basin and further afield via online.