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 My teaching career has divided between the secondary and post compulsory sectors. I started in 1974 as a secondary English and Humanities teacher after completing undergraduate studies through Adelaide University and, the then, Adelaide Teachers College. My first teaching appointment was in a South Australian rural secondary school, and from there I moved to a metropolitan high school in Adelaide. Middle school teaching followed, both in the ACT and back in South Australia.

My move into adult education in 1987, at a time of increased government funding to the adult literacy sector, precipitated a variety of work roles in the field of adult language and literacy. I have worked as a teacher, lecturer, professional development officer and research officer in both the Vocational Education and Training sector (TAFESA and Skillshare)and in the University of South Australia.

Various work roles in adult education have provided me with thorough knowledge of the intersections of policy, program management and classroom practice. Included here are key aspects of adult literacy pedagogy and program organization; adult learning, competency based curricula, assessment practices and program coordination. I inaugurated three labour market literacy programs under the DEETYA Labour Market Special Intervention Program, in a TAFESA Institute, a Skillshare project and at the Centre for Applied Linguistics in the University of South Australia. I was involved in the development of the Certificate in Preparatory Education through TAFESA and have acted as principal professional development officer for the induction of VET staff into the National Reporting System.

My current work in the Language and Literacy Research Centre in the University of South Australia is as a research officer for the Adult Literacy Research Nodes in South Australia.

I have also taught in the Bachelor of Education Inservice award. I am an executive member of the South Australian Council for Adult Literacy executive and act as their delegate to the Australian Council for Adult Literacy.

I have gained considerable satisfaction from my post-graduate studies as I connect theory and methodology in an ever developing understanding of the pivotal role of literacy in post-compulsory ‘training’ and education. My current teaching and research interests relate to the relationship between learner attributes, disadvantage and outcomes in the language and literacy teaching and learning of adults. I am particularly interested in the role of language, literacy and learning in workplace change.

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