Alison Munks
Coromandel
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with a proven track record of improving teaching and learning through targeted coaching, mentoring, and training. Skilled in fostering inclusive environments for students with diverse learning and behavioral needs, resulting in improved student attendance and engagement. Adept at leading and managing diverse teams with a wide and varied skill set, collaborating to implement evidence-based strategies with fidelity. Fully committed to driving positive outcomes in student behavior and well-being, ensuring all learners thrive in a fully inclusive environment.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
DP/SENCo
Taakanini School
01.2025 - Current
- Leading a refresh of school-wide PB4L which involves up-skilling teachers and support staff through individual coaching, targeted professional development and whole staff PLD.
- Champion inclusion for students with additional and diverse learning and behaviour needs
- Building strong collaborative relationships with everyone through the school values of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga and Mātauranga
- Developing and implementing evidence-based strategies to support both learning and behaviour across the school
- Coach teachers towards their identified practice goals using reflective and strength-based approaches
- Demonstrate cultural competence through Tātaiako and Tapasā frameworks, fostering strong, respectful relationships with Māori and Pacific students, whānau, and staff to support equitable outcomes
Senior Leadership Team/AP/SENCo
Greenpark School
01.2018 - Current
- Led and upskilled teachers and staff through individual coaching, mentoring, and whole-staff PLD sessions.
- Coordinated and managed a team of 19 Support Staff across the school
- Facilitated inclusive education for students funded through ORS, ICS, IWS, and those with diverse learning and behavioural needs
- Built strong partnerships with whānau, Kahui Ako, and external agencies (MoE PB4L team, RTLB, Learning Support, DHB, Oranga Tamariki, NGOs)
- Conducted student assessments to identify individual needs and designed targeted support programmes
- Developed and implemented evidence-based strategies to improve learning and behaviour outcomes
- Oversaw successful enrolments and transitions both into and out of school settings Managed funding budgets and departmental resources effectively
- Provided goal-focused coaching for teachers to support professional growth
- Maintained accurate and timely updates on HERO and the Learning Support Register (school and Kahui Ako)
- Established and led the PB4L school-wide implementation of Tier 1 and 2, resulting in improved student wellbeing, attendance, and behaviour.
RTLB
Cluster 18, Western Bay of Plenty
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Accredited Incredible Years Teacher Training Programme Facilitation
- Provide direct consultation to SENCO’s and SLT’s to design school policy that supports the teaching and learning process and create change at a school wide level.
- Supporting and up-skilling teachers to better meet the student’s needs within an inclusive model.
- Using evidence-based strategies and programmes to help schools focus on realising student potential
- Developing positive and collaborative relationships, within an ecological model, with SENCO’s, school leadership teams and whanau across the cluster
SENCO/Head of Learner Support
Botany Downs Secondary School, Auckland
01.2015 - 12.2016
RTLB
Cluster 11, Howick Pakuranga, Auckland
01.2013 - 01.2015
Teacher
Arohanui Special School, Te Atatu, Auckland
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Teaching 5 – 11-year-old students who have all been diagnosed with ASD
- Responsible for appraisals for Teaching Assistants within class team
- Facilitated inclusion between satellite and host school
Teacher and Key Stage Leader
Kelford Special School, Rotherham, England
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Leading and teaching Key Stages 2 and 3 (ages 7-14) students who have severe learning difficulties a broad and enriched curriculum
- Literacy Co-ordinator (2008 -2010)
- ICT Co-ordinator (Sept 2010 onwards)
- ICT working party leader and trainer
- Responsible for Performance Management Reviews for Teaching Assistants within class team
Teacher of Geography, Head of Department for Travel and Tourism and Leisure and Tourism
Wickersley Comprehensive, Rotherham, England
01.2001 - 01.2008
- Classroom teacher of Key Stage 3, GCSE and A Level Geography
- Co-ordinator and teacher of Travel and Tourism
- Co-ordinator and teacher of Leisure and Tourism
- Mentor for University Trainee Teachers
- Successful completion of Performance Management Reviews
Teacher of Geography
Birley Community College, England
01.1998 - 01.2001
Education
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership
Massey University
05-2025
Post Graduate - Specialist Teaching – Distinction in Learning and Behaviour
University of Canterbury
01.2014
Post Graduate Certificate - Education
University of Sheffield
01-1997
Bachelor of Arts -
Sheffield Hallam University
01-1996
Skills
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Flexible and adaptable
- Organisation and time management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Excellent communication
- Active listening
- Problem resolution
RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Incredible Years Facilitator Course / Accreditation
- Functional Behaviour Analysis Training
- Behaviour Short Course – Massey University
- Restorative conference training
- SEASONS For Growth accredited companion
- UBRS and Team Teach – positive handling strategies
- Leadership Conference on Behaviour Management
- Positive Emotional and Behavioural Intervention and Support System Workshops
- PB4L National and Regional Conference
- Brain Development & Learning – Nathan Mikaere Wallis
- Considering the ‘whole’ child’ with specific learning difficulties - Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD
- Autism Conference - ‘Engaging Learners’, ‘Current Understanding and Treatments for Individuals with ASD’, ‘Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Adolescents with Autism’ and ‘Whanau and Youth – Experiences in Regular Education’
- UDL – Inclusive Education
- Discovery Time – Developing Key Competencies through activity based, child-directed learning
- Gender Effect - Perceived under-achievement in boys
- Mason Drurie – Maori in the 21st Century
- He Papa Tikanga Course
- Sau Ta O – Working with Pasifika People
- Kahui Ako school lead person for Learning Support and Hauora
- Lead PB4L MoE
- Coaching Accreditation Programme
- University Mentor training
- Teachers International Professional Development (TIPD) visit to Durban, South Africa to study and learn further about Thinking Skills in the classroom
- Senior Leaders TIPD visit to Copenhagen, Denmark to study and learn further about personalisation of the curriculum and modern learning environments
Professional References
Gareth Scholes
Principal
Greenpark School
13 Lumsden Street, Greerton
Telephone: 021800175
gareths@greenparkschool.co.nz
Christina Leef
Deputy Principal
Greenpark School
13 Lumsden Street, Greerton
Telephone: 027380927
christinal@greenparkschool.co.nz
Paul Prangley
Retired Schoolwide Practitioner/Educational Psychologist
Telephone: 0274449009
nelprangs@xtra.co.nz
Timeline
DP/SENCo
Taakanini School
01.2025 - Current
Senior Leadership Team/AP/SENCo
Greenpark School
01.2018 - Current
RTLB
Cluster 18, Western Bay of Plenty
01.2016 - 01.2018
SENCO/Head of Learner Support
Botany Downs Secondary School, Auckland
01.2015 - 12.2016
RTLB
Cluster 11, Howick Pakuranga, Auckland
01.2013 - 01.2015
Teacher
Arohanui Special School, Te Atatu, Auckland
01.2012 - 12.2012
Teacher and Key Stage Leader
Kelford Special School, Rotherham, England
01.2008 - 01.2011
Teacher of Geography, Head of Department for Travel and Tourism and Leisure and Tourism
Wickersley Comprehensive, Rotherham, England
01.2001 - 01.2008
Teacher of Geography
Birley Community College, England
01.1998 - 01.2001
Post Graduate - Specialist Teaching – Distinction in Learning and Behaviour
University of Canterbury
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership
Massey University
Post Graduate Certificate - Education
University of Sheffield
Bachelor of Arts -
Sheffield Hallam University
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