Call us: 0403 582 669
Email: info@learningconnections.com.au
For us, it's personal
The team at Learning Connections is experienced, committed and passionate about helping children reach their potential.
Since 1976 we have helped thousands of children by equipping parents, educators and teachers with the knowledge and strategies they need to make a real difference.
Learning Connections began when Mrs Jean Rigby, a teacher whose own child was struggling with learning, travelled overseas to research a range of innovative neurodevelopmental programs that assisted children with learning difficulties and developmental delays.
These programs were a ‘lightbulb’ moment for Jean, and on her return to Brisbane she co-founded ANSUA (A New Start for the Under Achiever) with Maureen Hawke.
In 1998, Maureen became the Director and in 2000, the organisation name changed to Learning Connections.
Today, we are continuing to grow, with fulltime specialists and part-time consultants bringing the Programs to a much wider audience. The results speak for themselves in the positive results children, families and educators see in their lives.
Maureen Hawke
Director
Maureen Hawke is the Director of the Learning Connections Centre. She is a Neuro-Developmental Therapist and a Registered Nurse.
Maureen’s additional qualifications include:
- Dip. Clinical Nutrition
- Dip. Acc.
- Samonas Sound Therapist
- Certificate IV in Workplace Training.
Maureen has been working with children with learning difficulties, attention and behaviour problems and developmental delays for over 40 years.
She is an accomplished speaker who, in recent years, has presented numerous times at the Early Childhood Teachers Association Conferences, Lady Gowrie Conferences, Early Childhood Australia Conference (New South Wales) and at many schools and kindergartens across Queensland.
Maureen is the creator of the Brightstart Programs. They are practical programs to help parents of babies from birth to 2½ years promote optimal development.
Dianne Boyd
Coordinator
Dianne Boyd has been part of the Learning Connections team for over 20 years, delivering professional development programs for early childhood educators and teachers, and home-based therapy programs for families.
Growing up in the country herself, Dianne is particularly passionate about working with whole communities in regional and remote centres, engaging parents as partners in the program, and integrating our Early Years Program and School Programs into the whole community.
Dianne is committed to lifelong learning and is currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Educational Neuroscience.
Previous professional development programs Dianne has completed include:
- Bilateral Integration with Dr Andy Dalzeill, Better Movers and Thinkers, Scotland
- Rhythmic Movements Accreditation with Rhythmic Movements International
- The Listening Program with Advanced Brain Technology
- DIR Floortime with the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning
- Neural Organisation Technique with N.O.T International and The Ferreri Institute
Dianne has delivered presentations about our work at numerous conferences, including:
- Early Childhood Teachers Association
- The Lady Gowrie Early Childhood Association
- Avenues Early Learning Centres
- Early Childhood Australia – New South Wales
- Schools and Kindergartens across Queensland
Judy Cuskelly
Consultant
Judy has 40 years experience as an early childhood teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and spent much of her career in C&K Kindergartens in and around Toowoomba, as well as with Education Queensland, and the Lutheran and Anglican systems in the P-2 space.
Over her time as a teacher, she participated extensively in Learning Connections professional development days. Her innate knowledge of the programs and practical experience incorporating them into the early years and classroom settings brings an invaluable addition to our team.
Judy is passionate about fostering a ‘village’ vibe when working with children, their families and the educational community to help children feel confident and comfortable to be their best selves. She is also a keen learner herself, currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Griffith University.
Sue Johnson
Consultant
Sue has 37 years experience as an Early Childhood Educator and has taught in a variety of settings including Preschool, Multi-age, Year One and Learning Support. She has a Diploma of Teaching, a Bachelor of Education (Special Needs) and is currently enrolled in a Masters program.
As a Learning Support teacher, Sue became frustrated with the Withdrawal Model or the Extra Practice Model and as a classroom teacher the diversity of children’s needs was accelerating. With a firm philosophy of engaging children through all their senses, the Learning Connections program came on to her radar. During the next 17 years Sue implemented the program and collected data to confirm it as an evidence based program. Results include a Showcase award for one school. Using Brigance data and a control school further evidence showed developmental growth exceeding 6 months in comparison during a Prep year.
During this time Sue had been a Lead teacher in Prep/Year One and within the school cluster. She has been involved with Pre-Prep programs including Parents with English as a Second Language and connecting with kindergartens.
Clare Apelt
Dance & Discover Program Coordinator
Clare is a creative arts and dance therapist and community cultural development practitioner who has worked with diverse populations and needs including children, young people, adults and the elderly.
Clare’s qualifications include a BA Fine Arts – Drama, QUT, a Masters of Creative Art Therapy and has completed Advanced Clinical Somatic & Dance Movement Therapy and Tensegrity Training.
Clare is a Professional Member of Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australia Inc.
Kate Ponder
Lead Administrator
Kate performs multiple roles at Learning Connections, leading our admin team, managing major projects, delivering our movement programs, supporting and mentoring educators.
Kate is an innovative early childhood educator who is passionate about play-based and child-led activities. Having grown up in Louth in far western New South Wales, Kate also understands the importance of community and is committed to participatory processes that engage parents and the wider community in the process.
Kate has previous experience as both a Kindergarten teacher and Director, and has a Bachelor of Education – Early Childhood and Primary.
Matthew Ford
Research and Development
Matthew is responsible for undertaking ongoing research related to emerging issues in neuroscience and child development, coordinating the regular review and updating of our professional development programs and writing blog articles for publication. He is also responsible for our research partnerships and the coordination of ongoing research projects.
In addition, Matthew is passionate about bringing people together in collaborative projects. Drawing on his background in process facilitation and organisational change Matthew is currently focused on coordinating collaborative partnerships among kindergartens and primary schools to deliver our programs across the kindy and prep years, supporting K-2 initiatives.
Matthew has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a Master of Business Administration, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
