Our wonderful team at Conductive Taranaki are passionate & dedicated to the future of our kids. With a diverse range of stories & backgrounds, each member of the Conductive Team has something unique to offer.
General Manager
Office Manager
Whānau Liaison
Marketing and Events
Kaiako, GrowAbility
CALLUM
GENERAL MANAGER
What do you do?
I serve as the General Manager at Conductive Education Taranaki, where I oversee the organisation’s operations. My role ensures that we meet our objective of providing a child-focused, whānau-centred, and sustainable intervention service, all rooted in the philosophy of Conductive Education.
Why are you here?
I believe that all children deserve to live their fullest lives. Leveraging my unique skill set, I support the work of our team at Conductive Education Taranaki to make this vision a reality.
MICHELLE SHOEMARK
What do you do?
In my role I do a little of everything -Class assist, Camp organiser, Accounts, Administration and anything else that needs doing.
Why are you here?
Zak is how I got here, and I never left, I started as his helper in CE classes and the role just grew from there. I stay because I love seeing the progress and determination of those in class, the passion of the team as they strive for the best for the kids and their whanau. Its great to work in such an inspiring environment.
PIP
What do you do?
Walk alongside our parents as they travel the path of disability. Liaising between our services, the community and outside organisations’ so that they feel fully more informed and empowered.
Why are you here?
I’ve been there, and still travelling this path with our beautiful 15 year old daughter who started her Conductive Education journey at the age of 1.5 years old. I don’t want other parents to feel as lost as we did.
MARKETING AND EVENTS
KAIAKO, GROWABILITY PLAYGROUP
What do you do?
I run our inclusive playgroup, GrowAbility on Wednesday mornings. I look after our fundraising events and social media platforms and any other marketing or communication needs.
Why are you here?
I found myself here through my husband Craig and stepson Zak who has been attending Conductive since he was 1. I absolutely love being part of an organisation that is making a difference in Taranaki for our disabled community. I have never worked with such an amazing team before, I can’t imagine not being here!
RENATA
What do you do?
I am a senior Conductor-Teacher, which means that I help children develop their abilities through regular, fun, challenging but achievable, motivating learning. You may meet me during your initial visit to our centre, you can see me in the classroom; teaching, playing, singing, dancing, gardening, cooking, baking, painting, doing yoga and much-much more with the children. I also enjoy doing presentations about our work, and during those times I usually don’t wear my “play clothes”. Oh yes, and the senior part… that just means I’m old… but luckily, I still feel young at heart and in spirit.
Why are you here?
I moved back to Aotearoa, my chosen home, in 2017, as our centre, CET was born. It has been an exciting journey of helping CET to be established and becoming an important addition to the community offerings for Taranaki children and families with motor disorders.
Our team has grown and changed quite a bit since then, but one thing is for sure: it’s an amazing group of passionate, dedicated people working for a common goal; to empower our students to maximise their abilities and their families to advocate for and support them. Who wouldn’t want to be here?
STEVEN
NEUROREHABILITATION SPECIALIST/CONDUCTOR
What do you do?
I am the travelling conductor who visits schools to provide Conductive Education (CE) and Video Game Rehabilitation (VGR). I also work with the adult clients.
When I am in the office, I am the IT guy and the Duke of Dad jokes. (I wonder sometimes why I am the one who has to travel).
Why are you here?
I love my job because I get to see our clients thriving and know that I helped them towards their success.
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST
What do you do?
I’m a Speech Language Therapist and I work with children and their whānau to help tamariki communicate and connect with others around them. I love teaming with both the Early Intervention team and Conductors to provide this help, and getting out in the community to be part of the wider support our children need in early childhood centres and during school transition. I work to assess, plan and implement supportive strategies that progress communication skills, with connection and fun at the heart of it!
Why are you here?
I have a passion for helping every child find their voice whether that is spoken, using sign, a communication device, or a mix of all methods! I’ve always loved working with children and in the disability sector, with work history as a carer and in both the education and health sectors as a Speech Language Therapist. Working with Conductive Education Taranaki gives me a chance to do my favourite mahi within a fantastic community.
JESS
What do you do?
I am an Early Intervention Teacher and I work alongside families of children with additional needs to empower them as they support their child’s learning. I visit them at home and childcare centres working closely with the people they see every day to create specific plans that will ensure better outcomes for children I work with.
Why are you here?
I love working for an organisation that genuinely cares about the community they are championing. I enjoy being part of a team that has unique experiences and so much knowledge that helps me keep learning.
ERICA
What do you do?
I’m an education support worker, supporting our tamariki with special needs out in the daycare setting.
Why are you here?
I have a huge passion for supporting children, I have lived experience with disability so being able to share my knowledge and experience is so rewarding, I’m here to make a difference no matter how big or small.
KATY
EDUCATION SUPPORT WORKER
What do you do?
I am an Education Support Worker, working alongside tamariki in early childhood education centres, and assist in Conductive Education class sessions.
Why are you here?
I love being around children and watching them grow and progress is so rewarding. This job brings me so much happiness.
JEWELS
EDUCATION SUPPORT WORKER
What do you do?
I am an Education Support Worker. I have the privilege of working with our beautiful children in their Early Childhood Education Centres.
Why are you here?
Because I love being a part of their journey to becoming the best they can be and seeing the joy and excitement they get from this.
THELMA
EDUCATION SUPPORT WORKER
What do you do?
I am an Education Support Worker. I attend two of our local Early Childhood Education Centres a few times a week, helping our children with any support they may need.
Why are you here?
Because I genuinely love being with children, when you are a part of their achievements, that to me, is so rewarding when I see them light up. I love their honesty too.
REBECCA
What do you do?
I am a classroom assistant. I help prepare the classroom for learning sessions, clean up, take care of artwork and displays and just generally support the Conductors and children in any way possible.
Why are you here?
I love working with this special community of children, families and teachers, supporting learning and growth. Conductive Education Taranaki is a positive, empowering, joyful place to be.
KRYSTAL
What do you do?
I am a classroom assistant. I help prepare and tidy up the classroom for learning sessions and support the teachers and children. I also work with Megan and Jess at GrowAbility Playgroup on Wednesday mornings.
Why are you here?
I like working with children and Conductive Education Taranaki is a nice group of people who feel like family.
CRAIG NIELSEN
What do you do?
Keep the passion alive in my governance role and share my knowledge with our team to keep Conductive Education front of mind and running well.
Why are you here?
Because I want to be! My oldest son, along with his peers with disabilities were the prime motivators to establishing Conductive Education in Taranaki. For them not being able to access regular intervention in Taranaki was unfair and something needed to change for these vulnerable kids. I desire to see an equitably provided and funded service providing real opportunities for people with disabilities and help build towards a resilient and compassionate society.
KEVIN NIELSEN
BOARD MEMBER
What do you do?
Voluntary work for Conductive Education Taranaki (trustee); New Plymouth Riding for the Disabled (President); Enabling Good Lives (trustee); NZ Riding for the Disabled (Board member).
Why are you here?
My grandson essentially, who has led me into the world of disability. This has opened my eyes to the depth of the impact, when through no fault of their own, they have a child with a disability in their whānau. I get a lot of personal satisfaction in seeing just what those with a disability can achieve when given appropriate support.
EMMA
BOARD MEMBER
What do you do?
I am a board member at Conductive Education Taranaki, supporting the work that our team do in and out of the classroom.
Why are you here?
I’m here to support the fabulous staff at Conductive Education Taranaki so that they can continue to support the amazing students who come to the centre. As a charity it’s not just about delivering the classroom programs to our tamariki and rangatahi but ensuring that our community is aware of what we do and finding sustainable funding solutions to help keep the doors open. We are lucky we live in an amazing community that continuously supports what we are trying to achieve which is to help our kids realise their full potential.
RENEE
BOARD MEMBER
What do you do?
I’m an extremely passionate advocate for disability rights. Honestly, don’t start me.
Why are you here?
I’ve had the privilege of seeing first-hand what Conductive Education can do for them – or, more accurately, what they can do with Conductive Education! I’m here to support the life-changing gift of movement that Conductive Education empowers children to explore. I’m here for the incredible community that has woven itself around our CE kids and their whānau. Most of all, I’m here for the kids.
CIARAN
BOARD MEMBER
What do you do?
I am a property and commercial lawyer at Connect Legal Taranaki. Outside of the office, I enjoy hockey over the winter months both playing and coaching or getting out on the golf course any chance I can get.
Why are you here?
We are always looking for ways to be involved and give back to our local community. I was impressed by a funding presentation that Craig and Neil gave at my old firm and when the opportunity arose to be involved in Conductive Education Taranaki Trust, I couldn’t turn it down. Seeing the service that the staff deliver and the way that the team all get behind Conductive Education makes it an organisation I am proud to be involved with.
GEOFF
BOARD MEMBER
What do you do?
I have over 20 years sponsorship and commercial experience and have worked on both sides of the funding/sponsorship relationship. I am also a trustee for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Why are you here?
To help grow Conductive Education Taranaki and expand the reach of the services offered. To give back to our community and support the great people in this organisation.
RACHEL BEDFORD
TEAM LEADER
What do you do?
I lead our operational team for our Conductive Education service, and our Early Intervention service. This includes being in class with some of our awesome tamariki, making sure we keep in touch with our whanau, helping the team with whatever they need, managing our administration/office work, reports, cleaning up after class, planning and scheduling.
Why are you here?
I love my work, the people are awesome, I am passionate about what we are doing for our children, families and community, it is meaningful to me, and because Craig and Zak employed me 3 years ago and now, I can’t imagine being anywhere else!
