As a school based practitioner, Maria has taught from Kindergarten to Year 6 before diversifying in supporting students with learning difficulties in regional NSW schools. Her concurrent work with TAFE provided rich opportunities to engage with VET and adult education course development and delivery. Since 2004, Maria has worked as a lecturer in the Faculty of Education. Maria’s interest in undergraduate teachers’ capacity to engage with Aboriginal students has resulted in a number of cultural activities involving on-campus and field experiences. She has continued to work on her various national projects (ALTC, AITSL and OLT) as well as community (TAFE Ochre Hub) and school projects. Her research profile reflects her work in developing pre-service capacity to work with Aboriginal students, their families and their communities.

Maria is the Subject Convenor for EEA202(Classroom management) and EML440(Literacy K-2) as well as teaching into EML106 and EPT127, both subjects focusing on literacy.

Maria’s research interest is in examining the capacity of undergraduate teacher education students to engage with and work with Aboriginal students, their families and communities. Her current work with an OLT project builds on previous AITSL and ALTC projects.

Maria lectures in undergraduate subjects in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) Course in literacy, professional experience and inclusive education subjects.