Our People
NZLA Executive Members
-
Sarah McCord
President
- Email: president@nzla.org.nz
Kia ora koutou,
I am privileged to be Principal of Ruahine School in the Tararua district. I gained a Bachelor of Education in Dunedin and have spent my teaching career in North Canterbury, Manawatu, Whanganui Tararua. Recently I completed a Master of Education in educational leadership from Victoria University of Wellington.
My involvement with the Manawatu Literacy Association began in 1996 when I was early in my teaching career and, except for a two year study break, I have been an active member ever since. My association with MLA and NZLA has given me the opportunity to meet some amazing people with a passion for, and expertise in, literacy.
During my time as a member of MLA I have held the roles of President and Delegate. Being an executive member of NZLA gives me the opportunity to support and encourage councils as we continue to grow our association by growing networks, connecting with educators, and providing quality and relevant professional development.
Nga mihi nui
-
Judy Aitken
Secretary
- Email: secretary@nzla.org.nz
Kia ora koutou katoa
I am a Reading Recovery Trainer employed by the University of Auckland’s Future Learning Solutions, a team of facilitators who deliver professional learning and development for schools, including Reading Recovery. I work closely with the New Zealand Reading Recovery Project Director to support the effective implementation of the intervention nationwide. I also tutor teachers in training and provide on-going support for trained Reading Recovery teachers in the Manawatu-Whanganui regions.
A long-term enthusiasm for early literacy learning and teaching began with many years as a classroom teacher of young children. I became particularly interested in areas of literacy acquisition, literacy interventions and literacy difficulties. In 2016, I completed a Master of Education, exploring the challenges of implementing early Guided Reading.
An enduring association with the Manawatu Literacy Council has led to this new, exciting and stimulating role as an executive committee member and secretary of the national body. I look forward to working with a team who foster, encourage and promote literacy in ways that lift professional practice and improve outcomes for learners.
Nga manaakitanga -
Glenice Andrews
Treasurer
- Email: treasurer@nzla.org.nz
I am the Deputy Principal and Team Leader of the Junior School at Waipu Primary School. I also teach four children each day for Reading Recovery. I have been the Junior School Team Leader/Deputy Principal at Waipu since 2000 and until recently I have always taught a New Entrant/Year 1 class.
In 2000 I was invited to be part of a committee which was being organised to set up the Tai Tokerau Reading Association. At the time I volunteered to be the “temporary” treasurer and I have held the treasurers portfolio since then. As a council executive member I have had many opportunities and roles, including being on the organising committee of the NZRA 30th National Conference held in 2006 and the NZLA 39th National Conference held in 2016. Both conferences were held in the picturesque Bay of Islands. I have represented Tai Tokerau Literacy Association as the Observer and Delegate at NZLA Annual Meetings and I have also attended Leadership Workshops.
In 2010 I was co-opted onto the NZRA Executive as the NZRA Secretary for a two-year term and in 2013 I was elected onto the NZLA Executive. I am currently the Past President of NZLA and I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to work with dedicated and highly skilled colleagues at a national level. I am passionate about literacy teaching and learning and finding ways to provide opportunities for affordable, quality Literacy Professional Development. It is an honour to be part of a National Association that promotes literacy in New Zealand and I am enjoying working with NZLA’s twelve councils.
-
Todd Burton
Exec Member
- Email: toddb-exec@nzla.org.nz
Kia ora koutou.
My name is Todd Burton and I have been with the Waikato Literacy Association (WLA) for a little more than a decade. I have the privilege of being part of a supportive and collaborative team that, like many other councils across NZ, are committed to providing quality literacy events for their members across their region.
I have recently moved to Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, and have a specialist teaching role at Omokoroa No.1 School. I work with literacy & numeracy support and extension groups across the senior school (years 5-8). I also have roles co-ordinating sports and EOTC across the school.
I have been president of our council for the past two years and this year support the presiding president in her new role. In 2018 and 2019 I was the Waikato delegate to NZLA. I was involved with the organising committee which ran the Power of Words Roadshow Conference when our council was responsible for the National Conference in 2017.
My introduction to the NZLA (previously known as the New Zealand Reading Association) was in 2011 when I was the recipient of the Marie Clay Literacy Trust (MCLT) Early Years Award.
I am excited to be part of the Exec team and look forward to working with the regional literacy councils across the country.
-
Dr Kay Hancock
Exec Member
- Email: kay-exec@nzla.org.nz
I am an independent literacy consultant specialising in the early years of school. I am passionate about helping children develop as lifelong readers.
My teaching career began in 1980 in Christchurch and in 1998 I moved to Learning Media as series editor for Ready to Read and the Junior Journal. I later became the publisher for all the Ministry’s instructional reading series. Over the years I have had the privilege of being involved in such key literacy projects as Effective Literacy Practice, The Literacy Learning Progressions, and Learning Through Talk. I am currently the series consultant for Ready to Read and the Junior Journal at Lift Education. In 2018 I completed a PhD about the Ready to Read series 1963-1988 and its role as New Zealand children’s literature.
I have been a member of the Wellington Literacy Association for many years and have presented at almost every national conference since 1998. I joined the Wellington committee in 2018 and am the current delegate. I am thrilled to have been elected to the national executive in 2020. I consider NZLA and the regional councils to be a crucial professional network, and I am honoured to be part of this wider team promoting and supporting literacy in Aotearoa.
-
Joyce Wakelin
Exec member
- Email: joyce-exec@nzla.org.nz
I am a passionate primary teacher located in the deep south of Invercargill. I have been teaching for 12 years and love working with year 4-6 students. I really enjoy integrating literacy across the curriculum particularly through digital technology, inquiry and down at our local outdoor classroom.
I joined the Southland Literacy Association team in 2015. I have served as the secretary of the committee for 6 years and am currently the treasurer. We as an association are very excited to be hosting the 2023 New Zealand Literacy Conference down in Southland.
In 2022 I was nominated and co-opted onto the NZLA Exec. I look forward to growing my literacy pathway and working with other New Zealand Literacy Councils.
-
Dr Stephanie Dix
Literacy Forum Editor (Outside of the Exec)
- Email: editor@nzla.org.nz
Kia ora koutou katoa
My keen interest in literacy learning began in the classroom; it was enhanced through facilitation of Ministry of Education English curriculum contracts and continued at the University of Waikato. Here, I was involved in Teacher Education programmes and was able to delve more deeply into literacy research and practice, thus completing my Masters and PhD theses.
On a personal note – I love reading, and now that we have retired to the west coast beach of Raglan, I can revisit old favourites and explore new writers as well as children’s literature.
I am excited to take on the role of editor for the New Zealand Literacy Association’s journal, Literacy Forum: Te kōrero Pānui Tuhituhi O Aotearoa. I look forward to working with you all to maintain a high quality journal that represents teacher voices, council activities, and current literacy research.
Ngā mihi nui
Steph -
Scotty Delemare
IT Support (Outside of the Exec)
- Email: itcoordinator@nzla.org.nz
I have been a teacher at Matarau School since 1998 and I still love every day on the job, always a new challenge:) My passion for Literacy in the classroom has always been a real area of focus, especially in looking at how Literacy is evolving!
I was introduced to the Tai Tokerau Literacy Association 1n 2012 and have never looked back on being part of a local team that is committed to enhancing, improving, providing, and bringing Literacy PD to the North.
I was fortunate enough to visit an NZLA Annual Meeting, being too vocal at the time with lots of ideas, and that has started this journey into being part of the Exec of which I was part between 2018 and 2021.
The other skill I bring to the team is working in the area of IT advice and support and helping each council to build capacity in this area. I’m not really a tech wizard but have a curiosity about how things work and finding solutions to problems.
This organisation has incredible potential, nationally and in the regions to promote Literacy.
I look forward to serving and supporting the NZLA to grow.
