Olivia Waugh
Kirikiroa
Summary
As a passionate educator with 17 years' experience in early childhood and primary schools throughout the Waikato, inclusion and equity are not just professional commitments, but deeply personal values that drive my mahi. My journey as a mum to an ākonga with hearing loss and learning challenges has profoundly strengthened my dedication to ensuring equitable access to learning for all mokopuna. In my role as a Learning Support Coordinator, I am cultural responsiveness, recognizing, valuing, and integrating the unique cultural identities of ākonga and their whānau. I continuously engage in professional learning to deepen my understanding of tikanga Māori, te reo Māori, and kaupapa Māori, ensuring these principles guide every aspect of my practice. By building authentic relationships grounded in manaakitanga and whanaungatanga, I empower whānau voice in decision-making, fostering trust and strong home-school partnerships. This approach ensures holistic, respectful, and empowering support for all mokopuna, anchored in their sense of belonging and cultural identity. In my personal life I share two children with my husband John and I am a proud mum to Alba and Nixon.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Learning Support Coordinator
Hukanui School
01.2020 - Current
- Ensuring diverse learners, including those with mild-to-moderate, neurodiverse, or high-and-complex needs, receive appropriate and timely support. This involves identifying Work needs and implementing planned responses.
- Leading professional development for Learning Support Assistants and providing individual professional development in Learning Support to teachers. She also manages
- Management of the Learning Support Drive with checklists and documentation for teachers.
- Administering Lucid Screening for dyslexia and cognitive development, maintaining Special Needs Registers, and developing individualized accommodation documents for students on the SEN register.
- Designing learning tools like visual timetables and social stories, and facilitating regular meetings with families, teachers, and external agencies.
- Providing high-quality, inclusive, and culturally responsive support to children and their families.
- Offering student observation, feedback, and practical strategies for teachers and families. She also prepares and supports recommendations from various agencies (e.g., ORS, RTLB, SPELD, Paediatrics).
- Guiding transitions for students across educational stages and overseeing annual care plan reviews for students with High Health Needs, liaising with families and agencies.
"Without Olivia's Manaakitanga, I would not have known that my daughter needed glasses at 7 years old or that she would be diagnosed with auditory processing disorder at 9 years old. I appreciate the care and attention you have given my daughter to help her learn and grow. You are part of the reason why Eve loves school. Your commitment to students is truly inspiring" - Jeanette Monk, Parent of Student at Hukanui School
Reading Recovery Teacher
Crawshaw School
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Provided targeted literacy intervention through individualized instruction, early intervention, assessment, and one-on-one teaching.
- Monitored progress and reported data to the Board of Trustees and colleagues.
"Olivia has always been approachable and easy to talk to. She has a great knowledge base of the different funding options available. Olivia has always been supportive of my daughter and myself and has always shared any new information she thinks may help. I think Olivia is a great asset to Hukanui Primary" - Daile McCarthy, Parent of Student at Hukanui School
Relief Teacher
Across Early Childhood Center and Schools
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Worked at Hamilton North Specialist School, Crawshaw Primary School, and Old MacDonalds Rural Care and Early Education Centre, gaining experience in diverse cultural settings and across all curriculum levels.
Nursery Teacher
Old MacDonalds
01.2016 - 01.2016
- Created and implemented age-appropriate lessons and activities, applying child development principles.
- Built strong relationships with children and families.
Scale A Junior Syndicate Classroom Teacher
Crawshaw School
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Provided learning opportunities tailored to individual student needs and abilities.
- Established effective relationships with students and their families.
- Developed and managed an inclusive classroom.
- Conducted assessments and reporting.
- Associate Teacher for Student teachers from Te Wānanga
- Aotearoa (2010-2014).
Support Teacher
Hamilton North Specialist School
01.2008 - 01.2008
- Provided learning opportunities based on individual education plans.
- Worked with students with diverse learning and physical needs, adapting materials for accessibility.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary agencies.
"Olivia’s approach to co-constructing plans allows for a seamless integration of resources, interventions, and teaching strategies, which ultimately benefits both the students and the teaching staff." "Her ability to work closely with RTLB has been instrumental in ensuring that students with specific learning and behavioural challenges receive the necessary support to succeed in the classroom." - Jemma Answell, RTLB Cluster 16
Education
Reading Recovery Inservice Course -
Crawshaw School
Hamilton01.2018
Graduate Certificate - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Level 7
Waikato Institute of Technology
Hamilton01-2014
Graduate Diploma - Primary Teaching
The University of Waikato
Hamilton01.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Conjoint Majors in Education and Spanish
The University of Waikato
Hamilton01.2005
Skills
- I am committed to inclusive education, advocating for early intervention and tailored support for all learners, especially neurodiverse students I am dedicated to ongoing professional growth and diffferentiation in learning I am accepting, open-minded, friendly, approachable, a problem-solver, driven, reliable, relatable, hardworking, honest
Professional Development
Special Education Highlights (List of other Professional Development available)
- The First 1000 Days Nathan Mikaere Wallis (2017)
- The Developing Brain Nathan Mikaere Wallis (2018)
- Learning Support Register Hui's Ministry of Education (2020).
- Incredible Years Teachers Autism Ministry of Education (2020).
- High and Complex Needs Unit Collaboration Ministry of Education (2020).
- Sue Larkey Webinars (2020)
- PB4L Ministry of Education (2020).
- Assistive Technology Presentation Ministry of Education (2020).
- Role of the Learning Support Coordinator and Delivery Model Ministry of Education (2020).
- Advisers on Deaf Children Presentation Ministry of Education (2020).
- Physical Disability Service Ministry of Education (2020)
- Tips for Autism Online (2020)
- Waikato Kids Paedeatric Diabetes Service Waikato District Hospital (2020)
- Behaviour 101-Ministry of Education (2021)
- Tilting the Seesaw for Teams- Autism New Zealand (2023)
- Nurturing Young Minds -Life Education Trust Online (2021)
- Crossing the Midline, Spatial Awareness. and The Vestibular System Robyn Polley (2021)
- Understanding Behaviour Responding Safely Ministry of Education (2022).
- School High Health Needs Funding and Toileting Ministry of Education (2022).
- Movement and Learning in the Early Years- Gill Connell Webinar (2022)
- Transitioning Roadshow Expo Ministry of Education (2023).
- Supporting Neurodiverse Students Te Pae Here Learning Support (2023).
- Auditory Processing Disorder Workshops Bounse (2023).
- Incontinence Course Public Health Nurse (2023).
- Paying Attention to Attention Frances Steinberg (2023).
- Working with Challenging Behaviour Frances Steinberg (2023).
- Selective Mutism Ministry of Education(2023).
- FASD Oranga Tamariki (2023).
- Brain, Body and Behaviour online course Altogether Autism (2023).
- Anxiety for Educators (2024).
- Disability Support Link Presentation Te Pae Here Learning Support (2023).
- Executive Functions Workshops Te Pae Here Learning Support (2023).
- Introduction to Sensory Needs Te Pae Here Learning Support(2023)
- Executive Functions Workshop 1-4 Te Pae Here Learning Support (2023)
- Attachment and Trauma for Educators Ministry of Education (2024).
- Defiance and De-escalation Online Course The Autism Helper (2024).
- A Practical Workshop on Attachment and Trauma for Educators Ministry of Education (2024)
- Supporting Autistic Tamariki in Schools Ministry of Education (2024).
- Trauma and Brain Development Basics Kay Pretchell (2024)
- Memory and the impact on Learning Te Pae Here Learning Support (2024).
- Trauma and Brain Development Ministry of Education (2024).
- Sensory Modulation in Occupational Therapy Ministry of Education (2024).
- A Practical Guide for Educators Regarding Anxiety Ministry of Education (2024)
- Introduction to Faetal Alcohol Spectrum Module 1 and 2 Te Pou (2024)
- Prevent, Teach and Reinforce Ministry of Education (2024)
- Defiance and Deescalation Online Course The Autism Helper (2024)
- Trauma Informed Champions Potential to Perform (2024)
- Fine Motor Skills Workshop (2024)
- The Autism Spectrum Supporting Our Autistic Tamariki in School Ministry of Education (2024)
- Trauma and Attachment A Practical Overview Ministry of Education (2024)
- Classroom Communication Strategies for Speech and Language Needs Cornerstone Therapy (2024).
- Much More than Words Ministry of Education (2025).
- Six Bricks Training Level 1 and Level 2 (2025)
Behaviour Management
- Incredible Years for Teachers (2012).
- Challenging Boys in an Early Childhood Workshop (2016).
- Change your Brain Change your Life Nathan Mikaere Wallis (2018)
- Incredible Years for Parents (2019).
- Understanding Behaviour and Responding Safely (2023).
- Social and Emotional Learning and Child Development Highlights:
Literacy, Numeracy and Curriculum
- Reading Recovery Inservice (2018,2019)
- Yolanda Soryl Early Words and Primary Phonics (2019)
- Learning Matters Assessing using the IDEAL assessment (2020)
- Grammar, Mechanics, Running Records and Oral Language Jan Van Der Zayden (2020)
- Literacy Interventions (2021)
- Mathematics (2022)
- Inclusive Literacy Practices Te Pae Here (2021)
- Reporting and Assessment (2022)
- Curriculum Refresh Document Ministry of Education (2023)
- Mathematics Progressions (2023)
- New Zealand Curriculum (2023)
- The Writing Revolution (2025)
- Writers Toolbox (2025)
Tikanga and Cultural Responsiveness
- Cultural Responsive Pedagogy (2020)
- History of Aoteroa Charm Skinner, Les Tuteao, Brad Totorewa, Jason Kereopa and Rangi Matamua (2021)
- Aoteroa New Zealand Histories (2022)
- Mana Potential Angaline McDonald (2022)
- Mihi Whakatu Protocols (2023)
Timeline
Learning Support Coordinator
Hukanui School
01.2020 - Current
Reading Recovery Teacher
Crawshaw School
01.2018 - 01.2019
Relief Teacher
Across Early Childhood Center and Schools
01.2017 - 01.2019
Nursery Teacher
Old MacDonalds
01.2016 - 01.2016
Scale A Junior Syndicate Classroom Teacher
Crawshaw School
01.2008 - 01.2014
Support Teacher
Hamilton North Specialist School
01.2008 - 01.2008
Reading Recovery Inservice Course -
Crawshaw School
Graduate Certificate - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Level 7
Waikato Institute of Technology
Graduate Diploma - Primary Teaching
The University of Waikato
Bachelor of Arts - Conjoint Majors in Education and Spanish
The University of Waikato
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