Kelly O’Leary is a former primary school principal with a Master of Education specialising in accelerating progress in reading and writing and the leadership practices which facilitate this.

Chosen by Learning Media as one of the “Best and Brightest”, Kelly’s literacy work and innovation in the education sector has been nationally recognised. During her tenure as a principal, she and her team raised levels of writing achievement at her Wellington school from 50% of students at expected levels to 85% at expected levels over three years.

While seconded as a literacy advisor to senior leadership teams, Kelly helped other teachers learn the skills and methods necessary to accelerate literacy levels at both an individual and whole-school level.

Kelly believes there is a need to re-evaluate approaches for teaching literacy and turn to current research to inform best teaching methods and practice. When not working with students, she continues her study in order to pass on the most proven and modern methods of literacy learning to her students.

As a mother to primary-school aged children, Kelly has a unique understanding of the importance of connecting with young people in order to increase their engagement and excitement in the learning journey. She believes passionately about the holistic value of literacy not just to improve education success but to enable kids to thrive in all aspects of their lives.