Susanne (Sam) Walker
Gore,New Zealand
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive experience in senior leadership teams, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Proven ability to handle crises, manage behaviour, and advocate for student welfare with cultural competency and neurodivergency best practices. Adept at building relationships and networks, leading teams under pressure, and making informed decisions. Committed to fostering adaptability and multi-tasking abilities while driving organisational success.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work history
Study leave
Te Reo Māori and ADHD research
Invercargill, Southland
2025.01 - Current
- Te Pōkairua Reo (Rumaki) (Te Kaupae 5) - New Zealand Diploma in Te Reo (Rumaki) Level 5
- Independent research into ADHD especially for girls - looking at symptoms and strategies
Deputy Principal
Mataura Primary School
Mataura, Southland
2018.01 - 2025.03
- SENCO - responsible for all needs across the school - applications, budget, teacher aides, programmes, liaison with outside agencies
- MARRS- schoolwide behaviour management programme - records, tokens, shop, programme - weekly monitoring session with antecedents, analysis
- Te Hurihanganui lead - working with a cluster of eight other educational institutions from Lower Mataura Valley Kāhui Ako to lead changes around supporting our community to work together to address racism and inequity so that we can accelerate the achievement and wellbeing of ākonga Māori and their whānau
- Inquiry Leadership- Local Curriculum and Te Hurihanganui links - student centred learning using Kath Murdoch and James Beane framework
- Te Ao Māori leader + kapahaka
- Supervision of Teachers Planning and Assessment
- School Singing - three time winners of the 'Freeze Ya Bits Off' busking competition
- School events liaison - logistics organisation including RAMS, buses, groups, locations, events both in and out of school
- Lunch in schools liaison - initiating this at Mataura and working with lunch providers to establish and maintain this programme
- LSC support person - working as SENCO alongside our LSC, Paula, to enhance programmes for students in need
- Behaviour Management- weekly monitoring session with antecedents, analysis
- Timetables and rostering - Duty, hall, library, teacher aides, in and out of school events
- PTA Rep - working alongside whānau to look for opportunities for fundraising and activities for our students to be part of
Across School Leader
Eastern Southland Kāhui Ako
Eastern Southland
2021.01 - 2024.12
- The kaupapa of building teacher's capability and confidence in Te Ao Māori and Te Reo Māori
- Worked in Te Ao Māori and over the last four years primarily working on the value of whānaungatanga
- Work with over 50 teachers on their pronunciation by modeling, then coaching lessons in this area
- Worked with six ECE's, 11 primary schools and two high schools around local curriculum and pūrakau (local stories) of the area including East Gore
- Https://sites.google.com/mataura.school.nz/eastern-southland-kahui-ako/cultural-capabilities?authuser=0
Kaiwhakahaere
Christchurch Cultural Festival
Christchurch
2013.02 - 2020.10
- Event manager for the Christchurch Primary Schools Cultural Festival for five years at the Horncastle Arena, involving over 5000 tamariki and 72 schools each year, a budget of $175,000 - sourcing these funds, a kaimahi of eight, over 2 million views on YouTube
Teacher
1997.01 - 2017.12
- Teacher in charge of Tikanga Māori / Kapahaka / Inquiry / Choir
- Holder of management units responsible for team leadership, assessment, individual projects with the school environment
- Tutor teacher / Associate Teacher
- Extensive two year professional development on writing involving how to teach children to write and moderating work against exemplars
- Collaborated with staff members to reach best practices
- Initiator and member of the Birch Grove Montessori sub-committee for 6 - 9 year classroom and preschool
- Attended conferences both in New Zealand and overseas to continue professional development in areas of enhancing literacy and assessment
- Lead teacher EHSAS (Enhancing Higher Standards Across Schools) project on student engagement through curriculum integration - three Taranaki schools
- Wrote and produced school productions, arranged music and accompanied children
Education
New Zealand Diploma in Te Reo (Rumaki) (Level 5) - Te Reo Māori
SIT
Invercargill, Southland 2025.02 -
Master of Education - Hoaka Pounamu (Bilingual Education)
University of Canterbury
2015.01 - 2015.12
Bachelor of Education - undefined
University of Canterbury
1993.01 - 1996.12
Diploma of Teaching - undefined
Christchurch College of Education
1993.01 - 1996.12
New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Reo Rua) Level 4 - Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua)
Te WanangaAotearoa
2016.01 - 2016.12
Skills
- Problem Solving
- Creativity
- Fast Learner
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Crisis handling
- Leadership Skills
- Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Leadership and Teamwork
- Relationship building and networking
- Adaptability
- Student welfare advocacy
- Decision-Making aptitude
- Senior leadership team experience
- Behavioural Management
- Cultural competency
- ADHD best practices
- Multi-tasking ability
References
References available upon request.
Keeping myself busy by
- Hacking a golf ball around the course OK - member of Southland Women's Golf team
- Walking and playing with my dog, Bella
- Participating in half ironmen, cycling, swimming
- Renovating my house - possibly should have been a builder ...... :)
- Travelling
Timeline
New Zealand Diploma in Te Reo (Rumaki) (Level 5) - Te Reo Māori
SIT
2025.02 -
Study leave
Te Reo Māori and ADHD research
2025.01 - Current
Across School Leader
Eastern Southland Kāhui Ako
2021.01 - 2024.12
Deputy Principal
Mataura Primary School
2018.01 - 2025.03
New Zealand Certificate in Te Reo (Reo Rua) Level 4 - Te Pōkaitahi Reo (Reo Rua)
Te WanangaAotearoa
2016.01 - 2016.12
Master of Education - Hoaka Pounamu (Bilingual Education)
University of Canterbury
2015.01 - 2015.12
Kaiwhakahaere
Christchurch Cultural Festival
2013.02 - 2020.10
Teacher
1997.01 - 2017.12
Bachelor of Education - undefined
University of Canterbury
1993.01 - 1996.12
Diploma of Teaching - undefined
Christchurch College of Education
1993.01 - 1996.12