Jake is a newly appointed Practice Leader for Cluster 8 RTLB. He brings a wealth of experience and a passion for nurturing student growth, achievement and empowering students to confidently navigate challenges in all areas of their academic and personal lives.

Jake has undertaken various leadership roles, each contributing to a holistic understanding of educational dynamics and effective management strategies.

Jake is an advocate for integrating technology into education and has been involved in numerous initiatives aimed at harnessing the power of digital tools to enhance learning outcomes.

Jake’s practice is enriched by a varied skillset and his ability to relate, collaborate and co-create inclusive, innovative learning environments that engage and inspire students.

Driven by a deep-seated belief in the power of education to shape lives and communities, Jake is committed to continuing his journey as an educational leader and catalyst for positive change in the lives of students and the broader educational landscape.

Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Hikurangi te maunga
Ko Te Raparapa te awa
Ko Matawaia, ko Mōtatau nga marae
Ko Te Kau-i-Mua te hapu
Ko Ngati Hine te iwi
Ko Tonga te whakapaparanga mai
Ko Emma Marereira Fainu ahau

Emma is a primary trained teacher with well over a decade of experience in South Auckland teaching year 1 to 6. Prior to joining the RTLB service Emma gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in the learning support space as a Learning Support Coordinator, who worked across schools within Te Iti Kahurangi Kahui Ako. Emma believes in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Inclusive Education and Universal Design for Learning. She is passionate about Māori and Pasifika achievement, supporting ākonga and whānau, and working alongside kaiako, leadership teams and agencies to achieve positive outcomes for all ākonga. Emma values Whakawhanaungatanga (building relationships), Mahi Tahi (working together), and Manakitanga (generosity, respect and care for others).

Tēnā koutou katoa, Ko Waitākere te maunga, Ko Ōpanuku te awa, Ko Ngā Puhi te iwi, Ko Manukau te moana Ko New Lynn āhau, Ko Mark Armstrong tōku ingoa. Mark is a dedicated and passionate teacher, eager to contribute to the field of RTLB. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to learning. Mark believes in the power of culturally responsive practices to transform lives and is excited about learning alongside his RTLB colleagues, ākonga, whānau, kura, and the wider community. Mark focuses on the health and well-being of learners as he has experience and knowledge of trauma-informed practices, place-based learning, and building blocks for learning. MEd; P Dip TESOL; P Dip Tchg; BA SocSc.

Ko Whakarongorua te maunga
Ko Utakura te awa
Ko Hokianga te moana
Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Mataitaua te marae
Ko Ngati Toro te hapu
Ko Ngapuhi te iwi.
I te taha o toku whaea, nō Wera ahau
Ko Sarah toku ingoa.

Sarah is a primary trained teacher and has spent most of her career in South Auckland schools, teaching year 0 to 8. She is trained in Reading Recovery and has an interest in support Māori achievement.
More recently she has come from a mentoring role supporting teachers to implement a model of ambitious, equitable and culturally responsive mathematics teaching (DMIC).
She is passionate about developing and sustaining safe, equitable, nurturing and responsive learning spaces for all tamariki.
Sarah is also a māmā to two wonderfully energetic young children and married to Reuben. As a whānau they are currently on a learning pathway reclaiming reo and whakapapa

Tēnā koutou Katoa. Ko Pirongia tōku maunga. Ko Waikato tōku awa, Ko Frederickson tōku waka. No Yorkshire, Nō Oslo, Nō Adare, Nō Inverness, hoki i te taha o tōku mama. Ko Wendy ahau.
Wendy has been an RTLB since 1999 working across West Auckland kura. Prior to that her mahi has been in primary, full primary, intermediate and special schools in West and East Auckland; as a teacher, SENCO, senior teacher, and assistant principal.
The Incredible Years programme has been an integral part of her practice. She is an accredited IYT facilitator and recently trained in IYA and as a Peer Coach. A core value of IY is the place of whanaungatanga; this is fundamental to her work as an RTLB. One of the great joys of being an RTLB has been the relationships with whanau and teachers that have supported our children to flourish.
BA (Psychology, Education, English), PG Dip SNRT, SPELD Certificate Course in SLD (Level 5), NZCER Level C Test User Registration, Pearson Level B Test User.

Leslie is an enthusiastic creative teacher who brings 13 years of Primary classroom teaching experience to the job. She is committed to students and improving their learning skills as well as attitudes towards learning using creative approaches to assist learners. Leslie is experienced with the ALL program and inquiry-based learning. She is passionate about literacy and has training in Reading Recovery. Originally from Canada, she also trained as an Early Childhood Educator before coming to New Zealand to pursue Primary Teaching.

Owen Robyns is an experienced Deputy Principal and SENCO with 30 years experience in education both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. For the last 13 years he has worked as a Deputy Principal in West Auckland and has undertaken a wide variety of roles in both the junior and senior areas. Owen has a strong interest in working with tamariki, whānau and kura to establish pathways to success in learning and behaviour. He enjoys working with a wide range of professionals coordinating and implementing cohesive strategies leading to positive outcomes.

Maree was previously a classroom teacher and a Supplementary Learning Support Teacher before becoming a Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour. Her passion and focus for the last nineteen years has been in supporting children who have special learning needs to achieve their potential. She has been the co-lead for the High Learning Needs and In class Support moderation. Maree works with teachers, paraprofessionals and outside agencies to assist students at all levels of school.

Sarah has worked as an RTLB for 10 years in Auckland and Tauranga. Before this she was a classroom teacher for 30 years. She has a robust understanding of mokopuna, the education sector and the New Zealand Curriculum. Sarah builds genuine collaborative partnerships with mokopuna, whānau, schools and agencies to tautoko an inclusive approach for all learners. Sarah's passion is in promoting good mental health and wellbeing. She has trained in numerous social and emotional programmes and believes that the school setting is an ideal opportunity to support student’s development into self-regulated, empathetic and emotionally healthy adults. Sarah loves learning and enjoys spending quality time with her whānau.

Tēnā koutou. Ko Maungakiekie tōku maunga. Ko Manukau Awa tōku awa. No Onehunga ahau. Ko Caryl tōku mama, ko Wayne tōku papa. Ko Carmilo tōku tane. Ko Samantha a Allegra tōku tamariki. Ko Manuyag a Freeman tōku whānau. Ko Maryanne tōku ingoa.

Maryanne has been working in the education field for 18 years, covering years 0 to 8 during this time. This breadth of teaching has given her a good grasp of all levels of the New Zealand Curriculum, which she has enjoyed adapting to make authentic and exciting for her ākonga. One of her favourite parts of teaching is the genuine relationships that can be created with ākonga, whānau, kura and all agencies. Maryanne has recently completed her dissertation looking into the wellbeing of teachers and is passionate about using this learning to help everyone find joy in their everyday normal. She is Reading Recovery trained with qualifications in Guidance Education (counselling). In her own time, Maryanne enjoys trying new foods, and exploring waterholes with her whānau around Aotearoa.

Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Hautere te maunga. Ko Oraka te awa. Ko Raukawa te iwi. Ko Ngāti Ahuru te hapū. Ko Ngatira te marae. No Putāruru ahau. Ko Tracey Richardson toku ingoa. Tracey Richardson has been an educator for over 30 years. She has taught in both Primary and Intermediate Schools in NZ and the UK. Her varied career has seen her work as a team leader, curriculum advisor and Deputy Principal. Tracey has an extensive background in health education and a passion for student wellbeing. In 2023 Tracey became a member of the RTLB Professional Learning Network and is currently exploring trauma-informed practice. In 2024 she is working part-time and will complete her Masters in Specialist Teaching through Massey University.

Jill Watson is an experienced RTLB who brings over 20 years' classroom teaching experience (Years 0 to 8) to her role. During her time in the classroom, she has held positions of leadership including syndicate leadership, school-wide literacy and the SENCO role.

As an RTLB, Jill is passionate about supporting and collaborating with ākonga, teachers and whānau to allow each child to inclusively thrive to meet their full social, emotional and learning potential. Much of Jill’s mahi occurs in the areas of literacy, neurodiversity, and social and emotional learning. Jill is a trained facilitator in many evidence-based programmes including: Zones of Regulation, Seasons for Growth, Incredible Years Teachers, Brick Club and FRIENDS Resilience.

Jill is continually adding to her kete of knowledge that will further support kura, ākonga and whānau. This year she is looking forward to becoming a Circle Time facilitator and continuing her journey in Te Reo through Te Wānaga o Aotearoa.

Alongside her teaching qualifications, Jill has a Post Graduate Diploma in Inclusive Education and a Post Graduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching: Learning and Behaviour from Massey University.

In her spare time, Jill enjoys time with whānau and getting back to nature through either hiking, biking or swimming.

With 25+ years’ experience as a teacher and SENCO, and even a stint as a Special Education Advisor with the MOE, Julie brings to the RTLB role a passion for supporting students so that every young person has opportunity to not only survive, but thrive during their school experience. She recognises and values the uniqueness of students, and is passionate about collaboratively generating solutions and effective, positive pathways for students, their teachers and whanau. Julie loves working with students who process the world differently and her strengths include Universal Design for Learning, specific learning difficulties, assistive tech, practitioner inquiry, contemporary leadership, change management, supporting students with anxiety, executive functioning difficulties, autism spectrum, challenging behaviours, and gifted and talented students. Julie is currently completing further study alongside her practice.
Dip Tchng, B.Ed, Post Grad Cert (G&T), Post Grad Dip Ed.

Emily is an experienced classroom teacher who joined Cluster 8 RTLB in 2019. Emily has taught in Years 0 – 6 over 20 years and worked in various learning and leadership roles including, Reading Recovery, development of student inquiry, supporting transition to school, team leadership and SENCO. In working with the RTLB team Emily continues her work in supporting students, families and schools to feel empowered and confident to manage learning and behaviour.