Education Assistant Day

Meika Pfeiffer-Gough is the Leadership and Teaching Excellence Manager at AISWA, part of the Curriculum and School Improvement Directorate. With 19 years of experience as a teacher and leader across diverse PK-12 educational settings, Meika is committed to promoting excellence in teaching and leadership. She highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and relational trust in building strong, respectful connections within school communities, recognizing these as essential for creating positive learning environments and inspiring growth. Passionate about leadership development, Meika works to empower confident, reflective leaders who drive collective success.

Amanda was appointed as the Inclusive Education Manager at AISWA in 2024. With over two decades working across various educational sectors, including Independent, Catholic, and Government schools, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. She is committed to fostering an environment where all children and young people can thrive, ensuring access to quality, equitable and safe education for every student is paramount.  

Kerry Handley is a Literacy Consultant with many years of experience. She has worked in the WA education system as a classroom teacher, K-7 district coordinator and a consultant. Before joining AISWA, in 2012, Kerry was part of the team that reconceptualised and wrote the First Steps 2nd Edition resource and associated professional development. In this role she presented to educators around the world and spent four years living in the USA. She is one of the presenters of the Sharp Reading program and has a particular interest in assisting teachers in remote aboriginal schools. Kerry has a Masters of Education, a Graduate Diploma in Intercultural Studies and a Diploma of Teaching. She is passionate about helping improve literacy outcomes for all students.

Julie is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist who has worked with Non-Government schools in Western Australia for over thirty years. Julie is currently the lead of the AISWA School Psychology Service. She has a passion for sharing psychological knowledge to support schools in optimising the learning, development and wellbeing of students.  As part of the school psychology service, she works with children, parents, carers and teachers to help them understand issues students may experience. Julie is a current psychology board approved supervisor who has a passion for supporting the professional growth and development of psychologists.