Awhi Rito Training Programme

An experienced educator, Brooke is passionate about providing teachers and whānau with the knowledge and strategies to support learners in their care. Her professional development focus is on improving the efficacy of teachers to self-reflect on their own practice and to encourage evidence-based practice in our schools.

Through her leadership and coaching development, Brooke has supported thousands of teachers across Aotearoa New Zealand and is using her online Teachable platform as a way to release affordable and accessible quality professional learning and development.

Brooke was President of the New Zealand Association for Gifted Children (2016-2020), a New Zealand Representative on the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (2016-2020), is on the steering committee for Gifted Aotearoa and a MOE Accredited education consultant through her own company, Potential to Performance Ltd.

She has taught early childhood through to university level, been a Gifted Coordinator and an Enhanced Learning Teacher, and was assistant director of an English Language School in Taiwan.

Brooke was project leader of the Te Toi Tupu contract, helping schools develop robust, transparent and cohesive approaches to gifted education.

Brooke’s specialisations include giftedness, inclusive education (including Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Autism and trauma-informed practices), relationship-based learning/cultural responsiveness, coaching practices and change management, thinking skills, digital fluency, innovative learning and collaborative practice.

In 2018 and 2019, Brooke was on the Reference Group for the Ministerial Review of Curriculum, Progress and Achievement (Year 1-10) and sat on the Ministerial Advisory Group for Gifted Education from 2018 to 2020.