Our People
Jo Jessep
Jo Jessep is the Principal of Mastery Schools New Zealand and is a qualified primary teacher, a New Zealand Ministry of Education Professional Learning and Development approved facilitator, Institute for Multisensory Language Education IMSLE trained (completed May 2018), and a member of the technical advisory group for Lifting Literacy Aotearoa.
In 2019 she successfully led a Structured Literacy pilot at Te Raekura Redcliffs Primary School, Christchurch. After the year-long pilot produced significant academic literacy gains, Jo led the two year whole school Structured Literacy implementation. She provided staff professional development (PD), coaching, learning support and led PD open days to help support educators across New Zealand about the Science of Learning and Science of Reading. In 2021, Jo founded Literacy Connections, an educational consultancy based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Jo manages six consultants and 13 tutors who provide professional development workshops, mentoring, coaching and one-to-one tutoring using a Structured Literacy approach and the Science of Learning. Literacy Connections co-organised the first ever Sharing Best Practice (SBP) conference in May 2023 which attracted 300 teachers from across New Zealand. The success of the first conference prompted Literacy Connections to co-organise a second SBP in Oct 2023 where Jo presented, and a further 300 educators from across New Zealand attended.
Dave Jessep
Dave has spent over 20 years in accounting and is the founder of two accounting firms – DJCA and Sidekick. He is a member of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants and a trustee of the Rata Foundation. Dave also sits on the board of Te Ara Pounamu Ltd (West Coast Iwi Tourism Co), Rangitane Investments Ltd (Marlborough Iwi Investment Co), The Recruitment Network Ltd (Chch temp recruitment Co), Chch Electrical Ltd and Castle Hill Investments Ltd. He is skilled at advising clients on strategy, planning, goal setting and implementing business structures and has worked with clients throughout New Zealand and overseas, particularly the UK.
Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts, an educational leader, transformed Broadbeach State School on the Gold Coast with a Science of Learning focused school improvement approach to achieve outstanding results and attracted local, national, and international attention. He later served as one of eight panellists on the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools (known as Gonski 2). In 2020-21, as General Manager of Learning Difficulties Australia, he further championed the Science of Learning across Australia. With a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), he co-founded Mastery Schools Australia, co-founded the consultancy business, COGlearn, and sits on the boards of a private boy’s school and the recently formed Science of Teaching & Learning Australia
Toni Hatten-Roberts
Toni Hatten-Roberts is a leader in the Science of Learning: bridging the gap between theory and classroom practice. She specialises in explicit and direct instruction curriculum, instructional delivery, and design. She has had an extensive career in education and has been awarded the Schools Plus, Teacher of the Year Award for 2022 Teaching Fellows. In 2016, Toni was chosen by the National Institute for Direct Instruction in the United States as the Educator of the Year. She holds an Honours in Psychology with her research into the impact of verbal rehearsal on cognitive load being presented internationally in London in 2018. She co-founded Mastery Schools Australia and serves as a partnered Director at COGlearn.
Gary Moore
In 1990, Garry was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal. In the 2008 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to local-body affairs. Garry has served communities for many years both as an elected City Councillor for 6 years and then as the Mayor of Christchurch for 9 years. During this time Garry served as board member for Christchurch City Holdings Ltd for 12 years. Garry started the Mayors Taskforce for jobs which became a national service and also chaired the Metro Mayors network and the Safer Community Council for 12 years. Following the earthquakes Garry founded a Trust which transported houses from condemned parts of the city after our earthquakes to create affordable housing. He served on the National Board of Community Housing Aotearoa, the body which supports community housing providers throughout NZ and was engaged by the CEO of Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to assist with the strengthening of the network of community housing providers.
Lillian Dowd
Mastery Teacher
Originally from Ireland, Lillian graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 1999 and completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education in 2004. In 2019, Lillian completed her Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) training in Palmerston North and then worked as a literacy support teacher in Te Raekura Redcliffs School. During this time, she was also involved in the whole school implementation of structured literacy, including providing professional development and coaching for staff. In 2021, Lillian joined Jo Jessep at Literacy Connections and worked alongside educators and schools wanting to implement structured literacy into their settings. Lillian is excited to be part of the teaching team at Mastery Schools New Zealand - Arapaki and is looking forward to using her knowledge and experience to create the best learning environment for all MSNZ students.
Jude Cooney
Communications Advisor
Jude’s primary qualification was as a Medical Laboratory Scientist which led to roles with Canterbury Health Laboratories and at Guy’s Hospital in London. Following further study in 2002 she moved into Communications and Marketing with positions in a consultancy, Blind Low Vision New Zealand, the Ministry of Health and The University of Auckland. Prior to joining MSNZ Jude was the Communications Advisor for Literacy Connections, an education consultancy specialising in Structured Literacy in Christchurch. Jude supports the MSNZ team with their communication and marketing activities.