Exploring General Capabilities of Creative and Critical Thinking and Ethical Understandings through Literature

Di Edwards works in the areas of English, Literature and English as a Second Language. She has worked in mainstream schools, both government and private and as a classroom teacher. She has a passion for improving the educational outcomes of students who struggle for a variety of academic, social and emotional reasons.

Di has been employed at The Association of Independent Schools of WA as a literacy consultant since 2008. In this role, she has led and been involved with many exciting and rewarding professional learning opportunities for teachers, in particular, with teachers of adolescents. 

Kath Lawrence is a Literacy Consultant at AISWA currently coordinating Igniting Higher Order Thinking Readers and Literature Bites professional learning sessions. She has a keen interest in the General Capabilities of Critical and Creative Thinking in teaching Reading and Exploring and Responding to Literature. Both of these professional learning opportunities demonstrate sound pedagogy to encourage deeper comprehension. Her goal is for all students to develop a sense of agency to become successful life-long learners.

Kathryn’s work with AISWA began in 2009 as a Literacy Coach with the National Partnership team. The work involved working collaboratively in classes with teachers and supporting schools with Whole School Planning and facilitating Professional Learning Teams. Kathryn is an accredited executive coach.

Previously as a Program Consultant and Co-ordinator, Kathryn worked on the first State-wide Autism Team, Learning Difficulties Team and supported the Speech and Language Team at the Centre for Inclusive Schooling. She has worked in several roles to achieve the strategic