Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Training
Generic

LISA AKERS

Poraiti, Taradale,New Zealand

Summary

  • Experienced with educational leadership and management. Utilizes strategic planning to improve school operations and student outcomes. Track record of fostering collaborative environments and effective communication among deans, staff and parents.


  • Independent worker who remains extremely calm in pressure situations. Passionate about supporting students to develop their potential and foster life long learning.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

SENCO, Learning Enhancement Team

Iona College
2025 - Current
  • Developed programs to support and enhance Individual student outcomes, including frontloading and a reading program and SAC.
  • Provided professional learning for staff in the neurodiverse and SLD space and accommodations that can support learners in a class setting.
  • Support Deans to provide scaffolding for students who may require it.
  • Provide a support program for students who have not yet achieved numeracy or literacy.
  • Receive and act on feedback from parents, staff and students.

Deputy Principal

Wairoa College
01.2019 - 2024


  • Facilitated the Pastoral system within the school coordinating Deans and Tutor teachers in an effort to strengthen partnerships between the school and community.
  • Promoted a safe and inclusive learning environment by addressing student needs, both academically and emotionally.
  • Implemented successful intervention strategies to support struggling students and close achievement gaps.
  • Addressed disciplinary issues fairly and consistently while maintaining open lines of communication with parents or guardians involved.
  • Led cross-disciplinary teams to develop integrated curricula, fostering critical thinking skills in students.
  • Facilitated major school events including responsibility for day to day running of the school, school assemblies, junior and senior prize giving, open evening and parent teacher interviews.

Manager

Te kura Correspondence School
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • Developed learning programs in line with the Big Picture Schools linking assessments to cross curricular experiences for a diverse range of students.
  • Finalist in the Prime Ministers Excellence awards.
  • Fostered partnerships with industry and local business, enhancing leaving to learn opportunities for students and creating new employment opportunities for students.
  • Built collegial teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and support.

Dean

Napier Girls' High School
2007 - 01.2015
  • Facilitated data-driven decision making by utilizing assessment tools to evaluate progress and identify areas for improvement.
  • Advanced diversity initiatives by prioritizing inclusive hiring practices, fostering an equitable learning environment, and promoting cultural competence among staff members.
  • Improved student retention rates by implementing comprehensive academic advising and support and clear pathways for transition.
  • Promoted a culture of excellence within the year level through regular recognition of outstanding achievements by students in sporting, academic and cultural endeavours

Assistant Head of Science

Napier Girls' High School
2006 - 01.2007

TIC Physics

Educator

Hawkes Bay Cultural Trust
01.2004 - 01.2004

LTR Assistant teacher of Physics

Hastings Girls’ High School
01.2001 - 01.2001

LTR Teacher in charge of Chemistry

Napier Girls’ High School
01.1999 - 01.1999

Assist. Head of Science, Senior leadership responsibilities

Gisborne Girls' High School
1990 - 01.1998

Acting Head of Science

TIC Chemistry

Education

Diploma of Teaching -

Palmerston North College of Education
01.1990

Bachelor of Science - Industrial and applied chemistry, Physics, Biology – microbial diversity

Massey University
01.1989

Skills

  • A record of successful teaching and leadership, with the ability to:
  • Build collegial teams
  • Motivate staff and students
  • Use humor
  • Creative and Energetic
  • Ability to lead new directives and think of the big picture
  • Contribute to a team constructively
  • Work collegially with others
  • Plan and organize and solve problems using my initiative
  • Set and maintain standards of excellence
  • A commitment to consultative decision making and skilled in mediation
  • A willingness to tackle the difficult tasks, taking the lead as appropriate
  • The ability to analyse issues and implement strategies to address them
  • The ability to define tasks, determine priorities and see them through to completion
  • A high quality teaching background in a number of different settings
  • Establish positive relationships with students in an organized classroom
  • Support students who may find learning difficult by showing empathy
  • Use a variety of learning strategies to support learning and motivate students

Accomplishments


  • Responsible for day to day running of the school incl. assemblies, galas, open evening, parent evening and all events.
  • School wide responsibility for organizing Senior Practice Examinations and Prize giving and Junior Examinations and Prize giving.
  • Significant pastoral role as a Dean and Deputy Principal.
  • Dean for 9 years.
  • SENCO with responsibility for teacher aides and ORS students.
  • Developed Wellbeing Committee and initiatives for staff and students.
  • Development of the Learning Hub and Good woman and Good man programs.
  • Kamar- student profiling used to track subjects and career pathways and timetabling examinations.
  • Development of the school Prefect team and school leadership amongst students, including SVA (student volunteer army).
  • Responsible for Head of facilities and curriculum change.
  • Driver of localized Curriculum and Matauranga Maori.
  • Responsible for High Achieving Sports students and Individualized learning programs liaising with parents, coaches and students.
  • Responsible for in school professional learning and PLD.
  • Prime Ministers Excellence Award Finalists for focus on Big Picture learning 2018- filming and judging.
  • Developed and carried out a research project on high achieving Maori students.
  • Marking Panel NZQA level 2 Physics.
  • Developed and published Level 3 resources for NZIP (New Zealand Institute of Physics)
  • Team Leader of the onsite Hastings office Tekura correspondence school overall responsibility for staffing, curriculum and student welfare.
  • Presented on localized curriculum and leaving to learn the classroom at district kahui ako day.
  • EIT re alignment contract to help develop a bridging course for students who may have a shortfall in Mathematics and Science.
  • Developed Community links for leaving to learn across all curriculum areas.
  • Lead teacher in the EHSAS (Extending high standards across secondary schools)
  • Co-ordinator of Professional Development links and Courses for Physics teachers in HB district.
  • COL across school’s position and within school


Timeline

Deputy Principal

Wairoa College
01.2019 - 2024

Manager

Te kura Correspondence School
01.2017 - 01.2019

Educator

Hawkes Bay Cultural Trust
01.2004 - 01.2004

LTR Assistant teacher of Physics

Hastings Girls’ High School
01.2001 - 01.2001

LTR Teacher in charge of Chemistry

Napier Girls’ High School
01.1999 - 01.1999

Bachelor of Science - Industrial and applied chemistry, Physics, Biology – microbial diversity

Massey University

SENCO, Learning Enhancement Team

Iona College
2025 - Current

Dean

Napier Girls' High School
2007 - 01.2015

Assistant Head of Science

Napier Girls' High School
2006 - 01.2007

Assist. Head of Science, Senior leadership responsibilities

Gisborne Girls' High School
1990 - 01.1998

Diploma of Teaching -

Palmerston North College of Education

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Running – I have completed a number of half marathons and the Melbourne Marathon.
  • Tramping- Over the years I have completed numerous tracks throughout the North and South Island.
  • Skiing – A competent skier.
  • Surf life saving – belong to Westshore surf lifesaving club.
  • Football – involved at Marist football club.

Training

  • 2024: SENCO
  • 2023: AP/DP Conference
  • 2022: Wellbeing staff and students wellbeing
  • 2021: Coaching and leading Teams
  • 2019: AP/DP Conference
  • 2018: Big Picture Learning Conference- Sydney
  • PEP – personal efficiency program
  • Learning Power conversations – Dr Ruth Deakin-Crick
  • Mental health 101 staff training
  • 2017: Suicide prevention – John Henden a solution focused approach
  • Stepping up to leadership- Brandheart
  • Leaders as Coaches- NZ mentoring and coaching centre
LISA AKERS