Tina Youngman
Tina Youngman has been teaching for 8 years and has spent the last several years at Paeroa College. She has taught Science and Biology from Year 9 to Year 13 and is now the Senior Leader of the Senior School. She is passionate about education and learning and strives to get the best from each and every one of her students. Tina strongly believes in the power of high expectations, organisation and positive relationships in inspiring successful learners and these three things underpin her teaching philosophy. She promotes literacy in her classroom and has spent much time working with students to improve their skills, which has resulted in many successes. Between 2013 and 2014, Tina received three teaching awards that celebrate her dedication and commitment to education. In 2013 she received the Kudos award for the Wintec Secondary Science teacher/educator/communicator of the year for the Waikato region. In 2014, Tina received the ASG Excellence in teaching regional award for secondary teaching in the Waikato region and in addition she received one of five National Awards for Teaching presented by NEiTA.
Bev Cooper
Bev Cooper is Associate Dean Teacher Education at the University of Waikato. She has had extensive experience teaching at secondary and tertiary level in science and chemistry education. Bev is a Past President of NZASE and currently the secretary of the International Council of Associations of Science Educators (ICASE).
David Sole
David Sole has been teaching physics, electronics and science in New Zealand for 39 years and is currently Head of Physics and Electronics at St Paul's Collegiate School, Hamilton. He has a passion for the “hands-on” aspects of Physics teaching and has used his DIY skills (woodwork, metalwork and welding) to develop an extensive range of practical resources. When he has “spare time” he and his partner Jane like to go kayaking and motor-caravanning.
Chris Rutter
Chris Rutter gained an MSc from Sussex University in the UK. Following graduation, Chris created resources with the Continuing Mathematics Project for secondary schools. In New Zealand, Chris has taught maths, physics and information technology subjects to secondary students for over 20 years before joining the Polytechnic sector.
During his career, Chris developed a wide range of resources to support his teaching. In 1997 he was approached to reproduce his resources into textbooks for secondary students. His highly regarded workbooks are available throughout New Zealand.
Peta Poletti
Peta Poletti is an experienced Biology and Science teacher having had roles of HOD Science and Specialist Classroom Teacher. She has taught for many years in the Waikato and has recently moved to teach at Craighead Diocesan, Timaru. Peta has just published her first children's picture book; Ivan I. Dear.
Craig Lineham
Craig Lineham is currently HOD Health & Physical Education at James Hargest College in Invercargill.
Shawn Martin
After graduating with a Bachelor of Physical Education at Otago University, Shawn Martin became an HOD in Health and Physical Education. He is currently developing Health and Physical Education resources full time.
Dr Anne Hume
Dr Anne Hume is currently a Senior Lecturer in science and chemistry education and Chairperson of the Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Department at the School of Education, University of Waikato. She had 25 years as a secondary science and chemistry teacher before joining the Education Review Office for 4 years. From 1993-4 she was President of the NZASE.
While her research interests today centre on initial teacher education and scientific literacy, she maintains a lively interest in classroom teaching, especially the promotion of learning science in context.
Duncan Smith
Duncan Smith has been teaching chemistry in New Zealand for 15 years and is currently Head of Chemistry at St Paul’s Collegiate School, Hamilton. in 2013, Duncan was the recipient of the Denis Hogan Chemical Education Award sponsored by ABA Resources Ltd.
Kerry Hunt
Kerry Hunt is an experienced teacher of Agricultural and Horticultural Science, Biology and Junior Science. She studied Horticulture at Lincoln University, went on to Christchurch Teachers College and has a Masters of Environmental Education from Griffith University in Australia. Kerry has been involved in the Agricultural and Horticultural Science education sector for the last 18 years, this includes, teaching at Hillcrest High School, writing student workbooks, working for the Ministry of Education and other education institutions. She is currently the HATA (Horticulture / Agriculture Teachers Association of New Zealand) Secretary and Treasurer.
Dr Mark James
Dr Mark James spent over 30 years as a research scientist and science manager with NIWA and its predecessor the DSIR. During that time he led large multidisciplinary studies of lake ecology and published over 50 publications on freshwater and marine ecology and environmental management in refereed journals and book chapters. In 2008 he retired from NIWA and set up a consultancy and ecotourism business.
Jackie Wolff
Jackie Wolff is a Physics teacher at Sacred Heart Girls¹ College in Hamilton with many years teaching experience. She has a passion for teaching with a great interest in sport and teaching in context.
Debra Laraman
Debra Laraman is currently the Head of Creative Art and Design at Waiariki institute of Technology. She has a long career in the fashion industry working in design, fashion illustration and product development and has won multiple design awards. She has a Master of Art and Design and exhibits work regularly. She previously headed up the design programmes at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.
Dr Stephen McCracken
Dr Stephen McCracken has a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Auckland where he gained extensive experience in the application of spectroscopy to organic molecules. Stephen is currently the Head of Chemistry at Mount Roskill Grammar School.
Alyse Boaz
Alyse Boaz has written numerous educational texts and workbooks. With a broad business background in both industry and teaching a range of Commerce subjects in secondary schools and the tertiary sector, she has a wealth of experience to bring to this series. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce, Diploma in Teaching and Diploma in Teaching Students with Learning Difficulties. Alyse is currently teaching in the Canterbury region.
Lyn Rogers
Lyn Rogers is an experienced science, biology and education for sustainability teacher. She has experience in curriculum implementation at school and national levels, particularly through her previous role as adviser at School Support Services, University of Waikato. Lyn and Andrea Soanes have worked together as a team on various projects, focused on student learning and effective pedagogy.
Rosalie McGowan
Rosalie McGowan has been teaching Human Biology since 1986 at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls. She has been on the writing panel for Unit Standards in Human Biology and was a facilitator for NCEA Level 1. Rosalie is currently on the discussion panel for possible Level 2 and 3 Human Biology Achievement Standards.
Andrea Soanes
Andrea Soanes is an experienced teacher of science, biology and education for sustainability. She is an experienced NCEA marker and has been involved in developing curriculum resources at both school and national level. Andrea and Lyn Rogers have worked together as a team on various projects, focused on student learning and effective pedagogy.
Dr Ian Taylor
Dr Ian Taylor has taught secondary school science in several countries, taught at teachers’ colleges in two countries and was latterly Chairperson of a department at the School of Education, University of Waikato. His particular interests were about how students learn (and thus how to teach them),
culminating in his PhD thesis which investigated how learners construct mental models of complex structures such as the Solar System.
Wendy Presland-Cox
Wendy Presland-Cox is a Biology and Science teacher who has had 25 years teaching experience in a number of Hamilton secondary schools.
Kay Thomas
Kay Thomas is an experienced teacher of Horticulture.
Alec Smeaton
Alec Smeaton is an experienced teacher of science, biology, agriculture and horticulture. Alec has been teaching in New Zealand for over 25 years and has had direct experience with commercial horticulture and farming enterprises.
Kate Rice
Kate Rice has been teaching agriculture and horticulture for over 20 years. She was HOD Science at Waitaki Girls’ High School where agriculture is taught in years 10-13 and biotechnology focuses on plant production and horticulture in year 9. Kate is currently an Advisor, Education Support Services, College of Education at the University of Otago.
David Shaw
David Shaw has an honours degree in Economics and Government from the University of London. He began teaching in 1975 and arrived in New Zealand in 1978. He has held HOD Commerce and Social Studies positions in Tokoroa, Rarotonga and is currently Deputy Principal of Putaruru College.
Dudley McGill
Dudley McGill studied at Rhodes University and the University of Natal. He achieved his Masters Degree in Education at the University of the Free State. He lectured in education theory at various tertiary institutions in South Africa. He started writing schoolbooks in 1999 and has since written several books in Economics and Business Studies for various publishers in South Africa.