Academic Qualifications:
1974 BS in Special Education, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA (1973 exchange student at
University of Reading, Reading, England) licensed teacher – specialising in learning disabilities and behavioural
disorders
1982 MA in Special Education, University of Missouri, St. Louis – specialising in early intervention for children with
disabilities, behavioural change and learning disabilities & inclusive education
I have completed numerous training and development courses in Bi-culturalism, Development Processes, NZ Sign
Language, Behavioural Management, HELP/EarlyBird Trainer for children/adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder,
Inclusive Education & Teacher Training.
Work History
I began my career as a Special Education Teacher in New Zealand in 1974. I taught students with a range of learning
disabilities and supported them to be included and integrated back into their peer learning groups. I worked for IHC
(now Idea Services) for 14 years and the National Manager for the Centre for Learning. Key tasks included staff
training in the support of people with disabilities to enable them to participate in their families and communities, family
support work, development and delivery of a wide range of courses for staff/caregivers in the disability field,
assessment and monitoring and evaluation.
I began volunteering in the Pacific on behalf of IHC and in 1997 began my own consultancy to focus on working in the
Pacific region. Key projects have included developing and conducting national surveys in 8 Pacific countries to
identify those with disability and their unmet needs, to develop and promote inclusive education practices, to support
both national and regional initiatives for advocacy and rights based inclusion, to work with local disability NGOs,
governments and civil society in the development of supports and services for people with disabilities in their
countries.
I have worked in the Pacific Region, the Netherlands, USA & Indonesia and have hosted teachers from all of these
countries to participate in Teacher Development experiences in NZ.
Personal
I am married to Derek, have grown up sons and 2 grandsons! I am a social person who enjoys the companionship of
family and friends and especially being a grandmother! I enjoy reading, water sports and yoga. I am described by
friends and colleagues as someone with warmth, strength and humour and I strive to live up to that.
I am committed to advocating for the rights of marginalised people in our societies through education and
development that maintains the integrity and values of those involved in this process and builds on the strength and
capacities of those who will maintain the process.