Anna joined the University of Reading’s Institute of Education (IoE) in August 2018 as a Lecturer in Education with research interests in literacy difficulties in different languages. Her roles include serving as the Director of the PG Cert SENCo programme and teaching on the MA and BA in Education programmes in modules relevant to her expertise. Previously, she has worked at Oxford Brookes University and at the University of Winchester. Anna completed her PhD at Reading back in 2016, which explored spelling in English and Greek native speaking children with and without dyslexia.
As a researcher, she has explored the areas of literacy development and literacy difficulties in different languages, led educational research at an independent school, and collaborated with colleagues at Oxford Brookes, Reading, Winchester and UCL in educational research projects in various fields. Past projects include the development of literacy skills, vocabulary, language teaching and learning, interaction between EAL and mathematics abilities, partnerships between schools, practitioners and parents, and inclusion of learners with special educational needs.
See Anna’s profile at Reading: http://www.reading.ac.uk/education/about/staff/a-tsakalaki.aspx
Jo is a Senior Lecturer in Primary Maths and School Liaison at the School of Education at Oxford Brookes University.
See Jo’s profile at Oxford Brookes:
https://www.brookes.ac.uk/templates/pages/staff.aspx?wid=&op=full&uid=p0085157
Kate is a children’s writer, vice coordinator of the Children’s Book Award, children’s book reviewer and creative writing workshopper. She appears on BBC Berkshire regularly as part of the Tuesday afternoon book club with Bill Buckley to recommend books for children. Kate has a teaching degree and has worked in several primary schools, both mainstream and special. She spends a lot of time attending writers’ festivals, workshops and book events and is a member of all sorts of fabulous groups such as the FCBG, Children’s Book Circle and SCBWI.
See Kate’s website with details on her books and creative writing workshops:
http://www.katepoels.co.uk/
Tamalia is a professional illustrator. She always loved drawing. She studied art at university and took on lots of small projects along the way. She has extensive experience as a teacher in primary education in local mainstream schools. Today as an Illustrator she is involved in some great illustration projects, from designing educational activity tables for children, to creating humorous cartoon strips advertising veterinary products.
To see Tamalia’s work visit her website: https://www.madebytamalia.co.uk/
Sarah is a professional storyteller and actor based in west London. She trained in community storytelling in South Cheshire, and in acting at Drama Studio London. Over the last ten years she has performed at a diverse range of venues, from museums and theatres, to pubs, cafés, and a Saxon longhouse. She has extensive experience of storytelling for children and bringing stories from different cultures in her workshops.
See Sarah in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=54&v=w43-gZJfg4M
To find out more about Sarah’s work, see her website: http://www.sarahrundle.co.uk/
Lewis is a professional musician “Best known for the ethereal poise of her crystal singing voice” (Folk and Honey). Anglo-Irish singer songwriter, she works with an uncomplicated loveliness of sound, combining her ethereal, evocative vocals with original compositions and reinventions of traditional songs from Ireland and the UK.
As an actress and theatremaker she has toured the world in numerous stage productions and as a singer with the Gaelic ensemble Rún she played at Glastonbury, The Union Chapel, Southbank centre and folk festivals all over the UK before going solo.
See Lewis in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=34&v=Ce_WnGoOQb4
Learn more about Lewis’s work: http://www.lewisbarfoot.com/index.html