Sharp Reading: Struggling Older Readers

Christopher Witt joined AISWA in 2009. Prior to that he was a Consultant at STEPS Professional Development as well as a curriculum advisor following 25 years of classroom teaching. After working at AISWA for 15 years as a Literacy Consultant, Chris has moved into the area of animal ethics providing support for teachers and schools, particularly in the use of animals for scientific purposes and related legislative requirements.

Jill Buckrell is a Literacy Consultant with previous experience as a teacher and school leader in both urban and remote schools. She has a strong commitment to improving literacy outcomes for Aboriginal students and has been involved in several major Indigenous Education initiatives in the past as a school principal in remote WA and the Northern Territory. Jill began work at AISWA as a literacy consultant in 2012 and is involved in a number of key professional learning initiatives including: Big Six, Hot Readers and Data Conversations to Target Instruction (literacy). She is also an accredited Sharp Reading presenter and manages the implementation of this program in Western Australia. Jill co-organises the annual Broome Conference for remote Aboriginal schools. Jill’s particular interest lies in the research, development and application of quality literacy strategies and opportunities for students who underachieve in literacy.