Wendy loves teaching reading and writing skills and uses a systematic, cumulative approach with multisensory techniques and a synthetic phonics sequence. She is always striving to set her students up for success – they build their confidence by practising specific reading and spelling skills and reading decodable texts which match each lesson. Wendy’s older students specifically benefit from her knowledge of English syntax, vocabulary, morphology and etymology which boosts their writing skills.
After completing her IMSLE training and practicum in 2018 at Bishop Druitt College here in Coffs Harbour, Wendy gained accreditation with the Australian Dyslexia Association. Each year since, she has maintained her accreditation by doing the required coursework and teaching hours. In December 2022, she attained SILVER AMADA status (5 years). Always wanting to learn more, she went on to do further professional development and qualified as a Sounds-Write practitioner in 2021. In October 2022, Wendy completed the Little Learners Love Literacy training. She draws from many pedagogies and programs depending on each student’s age, stage and particular needs. She always takes delight in watching her students build their confidence with their literacy skills.
Having long had a passion for travel and languages, Wendy lived overseas for most of the 1990s and taught English as a Second Language in Japan, Greece and Hawaii. Settling down in Coffs Harbour in 2000, she taught English at the CHEC ELICOS Centre and then the Coffs Coast Community College while also studying psychology at Southern Cross University. She loves being a lifelong learner.
Having had her own children, Wendy decided to study Early Childhood and also fell in love with the Parent and Child Group at Coffs Harbour’s Casuarina Steiner primary school. She is a Playgroup Teacher there and loves sharing stories and songs. They have beautiful messages and can also help build phonological awareness which entail important pre-literacy skills.
In her spare time, Wendy enjoys walking, drinking coffee and reading. At home, her favourite activities are laughing over delicious meals with her husband Steve and children Blake and Emily.