We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Marks to the team.  Melissa’s role is focused on supporting quality physical education at the primary and intermediate school levels.

Melissa has worked for many years at the University of Otago, College of Education with primary pre-service teachers in health and physical education, and is currently working part-time at John McGlashan College in Dunedin.    Melissa is a keen sportswoman, particularly in Masters hockey, but also runs, and plays social netball.  Spending time in the outdoors with a focus on wellbeing is a passion of Melissa’s.  Melissa has three active boys, all of whom share her passion for regular physical activity, being in the outdoors, and sports.  Melissa has many years’ experience of coaching and managing sports teams, and cheering from the sidelines of school sport. 

Melissa studied in Dunedin for her Bachelor of Education Degree and has worked in many primary schools starting in Gisborne in the late 80s, then Dunedin, and Nelson.

With her teaching experience in primary, secondary, and tertiary education, she brings with her a wealth of knowledge about the physical education learning area.  Her teaching experience in schools sits nicely alongside her knowledge of the curriculum with the ability to put theory into practice.  Being at the ‘coal face’ of teaching has enabled her to experience the difficulties teachers may experience and the realities of teaching a subject which sometimes faces many barriers including curriculum knowledge, resourcing, teacher/student apathy, and resistance to change. 

Melissa starts on Tuesday 27 September and will work 20 hours a week, across Monday-Friday. We know she will be a great asset to our association, supporting our members with ideas, resources, enthusiasm and passion for teaching quality physical education enabling a lifelong interest in physical activity.