Andrea Hamilton
Based in Lauder, Central Otago, and working across the Otago and Southland regions, Andrea is an experienced education consultant with a background in primary school teaching and leadership. She brings a wide range of skills and expertise to her mahi, helping educators develop and implement effective programmes that help learners thrive.
Andrea is approved to deliver Ministry of Education PLD in the following areas:
Structured literacy approaches
Targeted structured literacy approaches
Mathematics and statistics
Assessment
She works with schools in the following areas:
Engaging adult learners – supporting leaders to facilitate effective professional learning for their teams
Mentoring and coaching school leaders and leadership teams
Teaching, leading and learning as inquiry
Curriculum development and review
Leading Adult Learning
Andrea uses evidence-based approaches and supports teachers in the use of standardised assessments to inform teaching and learning. She is skilled at guiding leaders and teachers to use data effectively through data collection, disaggregation, and analysis, which enables them to make informed decisions about programme delivery and to track and monitor student progress.
With proven experience in mentoring and coaching teachers and school leaders, Andrea understands that deliberate leadership can enhance a school's learning culture. As a mentor in the Leading Edge programme, she supports leaders to use evidence-based tools to lead improvements in curriculum and assessment; solve problems of practice; navigate important conversations including feedback to colleagues; all of which lead to making significant progress in leading teams towards improvements in teaching and learning. She is also a facilitator for the Leading Adult Learning programme, which is designed to strengthen how leaders in schools lead learning for their teams.
Andrea has co-developed PLD offerings for Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga and has strengths in structured literacy, mathematics and assessment. Andrea co-designed Evaluation Associates’ Structured Literacy PLD programme, and created resources for these programmes, including Te Reo Ka Rere (Years 0–3), Te Kākā Tūhonohono (Years 4–6), and Te Manu Ārahi (Years 7–8). These courses ensure teachers have both the pedagogical and practical knowledge required to implement structured literacy approaches in a systematic and responsive way.
In addition to Andrea’s strengths in literacy, she has delivered Niho Taniwha PLD across the motu as a Tangata Tiriti facilitator, supporting schools to strengthen cultural responsiveness and embed Te Tiriti-based practice.
As a former SENCO, Andrea also brings expertise in adaptive practice, particularly for ākonga with behavioural or sensory needs. She facilitated Ministry-funded PLD for teacher aides focused on supporting learners with a range of diagnoses and conditions, including Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), conduct disorder, ADHD, and autism. This PLD provided practical strategies for classroom adaptation and included an emphasis on positive behaviour support. In 2025, she led the development of a series of online learning modules for teachers, to help build their understanding of how to adapt teaching and environments to better support neurodiverse learners.
Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Otago and a Diploma of Teaching (Primary) from Dunedin College of Education., as well as the IDA accredited Cox Campus Structured Literacy Program certification.
Outside of work, she enjoys relaxing with her whānau and friends, having fun and keeping fit.
Blogs:
Classroom teaching is exciting and challenging – especially when you are starting out on your journey. I remember my first class vividly, working furiously to try and be the best teacher I could be. I know how many hours I invested (with the support of a cracking mentor) to create what I thought to be a quality teaching and learning programme for my students.
What does it really mean to work in partnership with teacher aides? This blog shares insights, experiences, and practical tips to strengthen collaboration and support every learner.