Meet Our Director

Sitting on my lounge room floor, laptop on my knees, my heart is somewhat brimming with gratitude as I scan the ‘bios’ written by my Educate colleagues. Working alongside such a beautiful team of earnest, enthusiastic and thoroughly capable educators is a gift. I could never have imagined, when I made the decision to leave my role as social worker in both the State Health and Education sectors, that I would have this privilege.

If the truth be known, I simply fell into my teaching career.

If the truth be known, I simply fell into my teaching career, but I’ll never forget the moment I realised the depth of my responsibility as a classroom teacher. I was keenly aware that each one of my students had their own individual personality and character, learning style, strengths and needs. Establishing safe and nurturing relationships with each student is a natural and integral part of my practice.

Early in my career, I was given the opportunity to work with a colleague who had been trained to teach literacy skills using the Spalding Method. I sat along-side my students while we all learned the phonograms together. The success experienced in our classroom was solid as we gathered measurable data impressive enough to be reported in the newspaper and attract regular visits from our district superintendent. I went on to complete my own formal training and have, over the years, continued studying to become a Certified Spalding Teacher. I am now also qualified as an Accredited Spalding Instructor.

In 2018, I was fortunate enough to win a scholarship through Square Pegs Dyslexia Support Group participating in training with the Institute of Multi-Sensory Language Education (IMSLE) successfully completing the Associate MSL course.

My training and experience have helped me develop a strong framework around which I am able to prepare and deliver effective, evidence-based instruction for our students at Educate. I am continually looking for ways to refine the delivery of content, ensuring that it is efficient, effective and engaging – maximising the use of the small amount of time we have with our families each week.

Adding to the academic focus of our work at Educate, we have created a welcoming and productive space. Surrounded by green and garden, it provides a very different experience to that of the school classroom or the clinical setting of a therapy practice. Along with Marley, our resident golden cocker spaniel, Educate really is a unique place to ‘work’.