These past few days in Christchurch, New Zealand, were a whirlwind of professional growth, connection, and inspiration.
Saturday: Upper Primary Workshop
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of running a one-day Upper Primary Spelling for Life workshop with an incredible group of educators. Some attendees even flew in from Auckland and other parts of the country to be there, which speaks volumes about the commitment of New Zealand teachers to improving literacy outcomes.
The energy in the room was exceptional. Teachers arrived eager to deepen their knowledge and left with practical strategies they could implement immediately in their classrooms. I also got to harvest another swathe of spelling words that the participants found hard to teach/remember/spell. My Excel spreadsheet swelleth!
What participants said:
- “I loved the simple, clear explanations. You make complex ideas accessible.”
- “Always love hearing you share your impressive knowledge.”
- “This gave me so many practical ways to teach spelling effectively.”
- “The workshop helped me move away from some outdated phonics practices.”
- “Would love more time! So much valuable information.”
These comments sum up what I aim for in every session: clarity, practicality, and a fresh perspective on spelling instruction. Thanks go to Mastery Schools New Zealand Principal Jo Jessep for lending me her beautiful school. Keep reading for a report on my tour of that very place to watch the teachers and students in action.
That evening, I had the absolute pleasure of dining with fellow educators Jo Jessep, Sharon Scurr, Nic Hunter, and Heather Down. This group of strong, committed women brought such energy and insight to the table. Over delicious food and drinks, we set the world to rights on a number of subjects. It was the perfect way to round off a day of professional growth. Bliss!
Sunday: Orana Zoo Adventure and an Evening of Insight
After an intense but rewarding day, I treated myself to a visit to Orana Wildlife Park, accompanied by one of my favourite speech pathologists, if not the favourite, Mary C. It was the perfect way to recharge, connect, and share ideas surrounded by some of nature’s most magnificent creatures.
The zoo is beautifully laid out with many of the enclosures girded by very clear moats. I love NZ water, and I’m told that the breeding program involving the Canterbury mudfish is going extremely well. These brilliant examples of evolution are able to temporarily survive out of water in damp areas when their habitat dries out. How good is that? Unfortunately, they are NZ’s rarest mudfish and are critically endangered. I didn’t get to see any, but knowing they were in safe hands was good enough.
We also heard a lion roar and saw a gorilla beating its chest which was rather thrilling. I felt a bit sorry for the otters, as I always do with most animals in captivity, but I know that there is important conservation work being done which is why I try to support zoos and wildlife parks wherever I go.
That evening, I had the privilege of dining with Jodi Clements and Jess McInerney from the Australian Dyslexia Association. Apart from exchanging hilarious stories from our work in teacher training, we had a long-overdue, in-depth conversation about the state of education training in Australia and New Zealand.
This was an all-too-rare opportunity to touch base with an institution that has changed countless lives over decades. The insights shared will stay with me for a long time, and I’m grateful for their commitment to improving outcomes for learners everywhere.
Monday: A Visit to Mastery Schools New Zealand
After a rather dramatic evacuation of my hotel due to a Buddha shrine catching fire in an adjoining restaurant, Monday brought another highlight: a tour of the newly opened Mastery Schools New Zealand campus. I had the privilege of observing Direct Instruction in action across maths, spelling, and reading lessons.
I am a huge admirer and proponent of Direct Instruction. Have a listen to my podcast interview with Kurt Engelmann, and learn more about this evidence-based approach to teaching.
Yes, the programs were highly scripted, but here’s what stood out: joy and creativity were everywhere. Both teachers and students were confident, engaged, and clearly thriving within a structured framework. Even though the school is still new, it was obvious that everyone knew exactly what to do and why it mattered.
One conversation in particular stuck with me. A trainee teacher, completing her education degree through a nearby university, shared that the two terms she had spent training with Direct Instruction and behaviour management at Mastery Schools had taught her more than three years at university. That speaks volumes about the power of practical, evidence-based training.
What I witnessed reinforces a broader truth: New Zealand is on the brink of something extraordinary. The current Education Minister, Erica Stanford, who, I’m told, actually READS the research and fully engages with those working hard for improvement, is taking bold steps toward structured, evidence-informed instruction. There is real potential for this country to achieve literacy outcomes previously unseen.
I would love to support this journey further through professional development at the Ministry level. While applications can be challenging, I remain committed to contributing wherever possible. Educators deserve access to the tools and knowledge that make a measurable difference.
Want to Go Deeper?
If you’re an educator ready to strengthen your knowledge and practice, explore my online courses. These programs cover spelling, grammar, morphology, and more, offering practical strategies grounded in research. They’re designed to make an immediate impact in your classroom.