Sonia Walker
Orange,NSW
Summary
Experienced educator with over ten years in curriculum development and instructional leadership. Skilled in differentiated instruction and mental health advocacy, leading to improved student engagement and achievement. Proven track record of fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments. Adept at utilising technology and innovative teaching strategies to enhance classroom instruction.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher RFF and Intervention Expert
Bletchington Public School
Orange
03.2024 - Current
- Delivered instruction across K-6 classrooms and support contexts, skillfully modifying curriculum to meet learning needs of all students, including students with physical and intellectual disabilities, ASD, and High Potential and Gifted (HPGE) students.
- Sequenced learning in a logical progression, chunking it into manageable components and giving students multiple opportunities to practice skills across different contexts, to avoid overwhelming working memory and to build mastery step-by-step
- Utilised the I do, we do, you do model in my lessons to allow for the gradual release of responsibility, ensuring the students are supported in their learning experiences and feel capable and confident in their learning environment
- Used tools like reading fluency, phonics and comprehension assessments as well as writing samples to ensure students are making measurable progress toward achieving syllabus outcomes - a recent example of this is my phonics small group tuition data where there was an average growth of 11.6% per student in Term 3, 2025
- Created a safe and inclusive classroom culture where high expectations and behavior management strategies provided a safe and orderly learning environment for all students.
- Used formative assessments to begin each unit of work, and regular check-in assessments, as well as questioning for understanding, to monitor student progress and direct future teaching, ensuring all students are engaged in a relevant curriculum, and are appropriately supported and challenged.
- Orchestrated group activities to enhance teamwork, communication abilities, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving strategies among students, fostering higher-order thinking skills.
- Model exemplar responses such as WAGOLLs, scaffold tasks for supported practice opportunities, and give appropriate and timely feedback, allowing students to know the specific 'next steps' required for them on their learning journey.
- Facilitated effective communication between teachers, students, and parents to support student success and address academic challenges.
- Prepared and maintained classroom environments appropriate for student learning and physical, social, and emotional development. This included arranging the physical space to support various types of learning, such as individual work, small groups, or inquiry-based activities.
- Designed and delivered lesson plans to meet curriculum objectives and utilised technology-based learning tools such as LMS, smartboard and online resources to enhance classroom instruction.
- Remained calm and patient in student interactions to support individual growth and development.
- Met with administrators and department team members to work on curriculum planning and assessment methods.
- Collaborated with colleagues to plan lessons that integrate various subject areas into a cohesive unit of study and allowed students to apply their knowledge in real world situations.
- Used videos, lectures, team teaching and moderated discussions to engage students during class.
- Tutored students requiring extra help and gave additional practice work to help improve concept understanding.
- Conducted in-depth student background reviews to identify learning deficiencies and strengths for tailored lesson development
- Participated in professional development workshops related to teaching methods or curriculum changes.
Assistant Principal
Calare Public School
Orange, NSW
01.2011 - 11.2021
- Maintained transparent communication with parents, staff, and students, ensuring all voices were heard and valued, building trust with my wider learning community, and fostering collaboration to improve student outcomes and school culture.
- Oversaw daily operations of academic programs and extracurricular activities, ensuring all staff members and students were supported in their roles and duties.
- Supported teachers in integrating technology into classroom instruction, effectively allowing for enhanced teaching across the school.
- Guided instruction by mentoring teachers to improve leadership and teaching effectiveness through classroom observations, feedback, and goal setting, leading to consistent implementation of quality teaching across the school.
- Collaborated with the school counselor and the learning and support team to enhance student learning and well-being through the implementation and oversight of learning adjustments, and connection to existing well-being support programs, both within the school and externally.
- Provided mediation opportunities and investigated incidents involving disciplinary action against students or faculty members to ensure all stakeholders were receiving support and procedures were followed accordingly.
- Reviewed student behavior challenges by examining established discipline standards and recognising patterns in incidents using tools such as Sentral and PDPs to inform and implement plans for student success.
- Led professional learning in literacy, visible learning, wellbeing, and curriculum implementation, fostering reflective practice, collegial collaboration, and creating a safe and respectful environment for professional growth.
- Developed a positive school climate by building effective communication within the school, and streamlining communication methods using existing tools, such as Sentral, for daily communication for teachers and students.
- Presented resources and opportunities to teaching staff for further professional development and curriculum training courses.
- Supervised the maintenance of accurate student records, including attendance, grades, health records, and special needs assessments, to identify students' specific support requirements.
- Facilitated communication between teachers, administrators, and parents regarding student performance issues to allow for targeted support of students' needs.
- Attended conferences related to educational leadership or policy-making, and implemented appropriate policies or pedagogies at a local level.
- Participated in committees responsible for evaluating proposed changes to curricula or assessment systems, and supported teachers in my team in implementing these changes successfully.
- Supervised daily operations, ensuring a safe and productive learning environment for students.
- Led efforts in promoting extracurricular programs to enrich student engagement and participation, such as STEM projects that ran at the district level.
Instructional Leader
Calare Public School
Orange, NSW
01.2016 - 12.2016
- Collaborated with teachers to enhance instructional strategies and classroom practices, and delivered whole-school professional learning in explicit teaching, including the visible learning model.
- Collaborated with stage groups to further support the implementation of explicit teaching strategies into existing teaching and learning cycles.
- Mentored and coached staff through classroom observations, feedback, and goal setting, leading to consistent implementation of explicit teaching across the school.
- Delivered professional learning on the zone of proximal development, Visible Learning, and explicit teaching to guide teachers in designing appropriately challenging, and scaffolded learning experiences.
- Conducted needs assessments to identify curriculum gaps and areas for improvement, as well as researched current educational trends to ensure curriculum relevance and effectiveness across the entire school setting.
- Provided ongoing support and resources to educators in curriculum implementation efforts to ensure that teachers and students were supported and confident throughout the change process.
Deputy Principal (Relieving)
Calare Public School
Orange, NSW
08.2012 - 12.2013
- Managed school-wide events and activities to promote community involvement and spirit, encouraging parents and community members to be active participants in our school community.
- Advised the principal on matters pertaining to staff wellbeing, recruitment, organisation and hiring processes.
- Conducted professional development activities on topics such as differentiated instruction and classroom management techniques.
- Facilitated communication between parents and guardians and teachers regarding student progress.
- Assisted in resolving conflicts between staff members or between staff and students by providing guidance on appropriate resolution strategies.
- Facilitated meetings between teachers, administrators, parents and other stakeholders to address issues related to curriculum design, instruction delivery and assessment practices.
- Maintained records of attendance and disciplinary incidents according to school policy, and met with external agencies to ensure plans were established to monitor and improve outcomes for students.
- Counseled students individually or in small groups regarding academic progress or personal issues.
- Developed positive relationships with school students, teachers, and the local community through open, honest communication.
- Met and listened to student concerns to encourage, guide, and assist, resulting in improved academics and well-being.
- Interacted positively with staff to demonstrate professional conduct expectations of teaching and administrative personnel.
- Prepared drafts of course schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements, and communicated these to the principal.
Education
Certificate in Meditation And Holistic Counseling - Mental Health
Mind Body Education
Queensland11-2022
Embodied Processing Trauma Training - Mental Health
The Centre For Healing
Melbourne, VIC05-2022
Somatic Approaches To Healing Trauma - Mental Health
Spiritual Competency Resource Centre
Cotati, California03-2021
Bachelor of Education - Education
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane, QLD11-1997
Bachelor of Teaching - Education
University of New England
Sydney, New South Wales, NSW11-1996
Higher School Certificate -
Oxley High School
Tamworth, NSW12-1993
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Instructional leadership
- Data analysis
- Technology-enhanced learning
- Curriculum development & integration
- Professional development
- Relationship building
- Differentiated instruction
- Alternative learning methods
- Student engagement
- Student needs assessment
- Cultural sensitivity
- Student motivation
- Subject matter expertise
- Positive role model and mentor
- Mental health advocacy
- Trauma informed approaches
Timeline
Teacher RFF and Intervention Expert
Bletchington Public School
03.2024 - Current
Instructional Leader
Calare Public School
01.2016 - 12.2016
Deputy Principal (Relieving)
Calare Public School
08.2012 - 12.2013
Assistant Principal
Calare Public School
01.2011 - 11.2021
Certificate in Meditation And Holistic Counseling - Mental Health
Mind Body Education
Embodied Processing Trauma Training - Mental Health
The Centre For Healing
Somatic Approaches To Healing Trauma - Mental Health
Spiritual Competency Resource Centre
Bachelor of Education - Education
Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Teaching - Education
University of New England
Higher School Certificate -
Oxley High School