Jo is an experienced early childhood teacher with over 25 years of experience. Currently, Jo is a lecturer at Te Rito Maioha: Early Childhood New Zealand. Jo's extensive experience in the early childhood sector includes roles as an early childhood teacher, kindergarten teacher, an early childhood centre owner/manager, and supporting new parents as a facilitator through the Parents as First Teachers (PAFT) programme. Recently, Jo completed a Master's in Education, with a thesis exploring the importance of belonging for teachers. Passionate about inclusion for both teachers and children, Jo is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive educational environment, and children with social and emotional competence.
Jo has facilitated workshops on supporting social competence and transition to school. She is currently working on writing an article from her thesis as well as co-authoring an article exploring the importance of oral language and literacy for your children. She is also engaging in a collaborative research project on transition to school and cowriting a micro-credential focused on centre management.
Jo currently resides in Auckland, having moved there after spending most of her teaching career in the South Island of New Zealand. Although relatively new to research, Jo presented at the New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE) conference last year, an experience which has inspired her to explore more opportunities to grow in the research area.