Our Team
BARBARA LEITON (Founder and Director)
Special Educator and Early Childhood Intervention Practitioner
Master of Special Education
Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies
Bachelor of Education
Practicing Multisensory Language Specialist (IMSLE, Aus)
Accredited Member of the Australian Dyslexia Association
AMADA Registration: 420082
Barbara is an experienced Special Educator and Early Intervention Practitioner. She holds a Master of Special Education and a Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies from Flinders University, as well as a Bachelor of Education from The University of Sydney.
Barbara has expertise and experience working with children with a range of disabilities and/or developmental delay including Autism, Down Syndrome, and Intellectual Disability. She spends the majority of her time designing and implementing individualised interventions to support children with diverse needs. She values the integral role families play in supporting their children with disabilities and shares her expertise to build their capacity. She also supports schools in developing and implementing evidence based strategies and personalised support plans.
In addition, Barbara is a registered Multisensory Language (MSL) practitioner (Accredited member of The Australian Dyslexia Association). She has specialised knowledge and skills to support children and adolescents with Specific Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia. Having worked in the Disability and Education industry for more than twenty years, Barbara’s experience in school-based intervention spans across Government and Non-Government educational settings.
Barbara is an advocate for students with disability and believes they should have full access to and participation in education. She has contributed to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Education of Students with a Disability or Special Needs in NSW as well as the recent review of the Disability Standards for Education. She works with families to recommend and support reasonable adjustments to their learning at school so they can have equitable access to education.
ELENA BARDUCCI
Developmental Educator and Practicing MultiSensory Language Specialist (IMSLE, Aus)
Master of Developmental Education
Bachelor of Education
Accredited Member of the Australian Dyslexia Association
Elena is a Registered Developmental Educator and experienced teacher with over 22 years teaching experience. During this time, Elena has held the positions of Assistant Principal and Literacy and Numeracy Co-ordinator. Elena has extensive skills, knowledge, and experience working with children to develop their Literacy and Numeracy skills.
She holds a Master of Developmental Education from the Flinders University and a Bachelor of Education from the Australian Catholic University as well as Postgraduate Qualifications in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Additional Language) and is a fully registered teacher with NSW Education and Standards Authority (NESA).
Additionally, Elena has trained as a Multisensory Language (MSL) Practitioner with the Australian Dyslexia Association. She possesses the theoretical knowledge and skills to support children and adolescents with Specific Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia and Dysgraphia.
Elena has also been a volunteer for Eurella Community Services which provides support for people with disabilities. She has been a member of the board of Eurella for several years.
Michelle Mead
MSL Educator
Master of Research in Media, Music, Communication & Cultural Studies
Bachelor of Arts, Design and Visual Communication
Michelle holds a Master of Research in Media, Music, Communication & Cultural Studies from Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Arts in Design and Visual Communication from the University of Technology, Sydney. She has completed CPR training and maintains a current Working with Children's check.
As an experienced educator and published writer, Michelle has worked with children with diverse needs and from various cultural backgrounds. She is trained in the implementation and delivery of evidence-based programs such as UFLI and ASCEND intervention. Her has theoretical knowledge and practical skills to support children and adolescents with Specific Learning Difficulties like Dyslexia and Dysgraphia.
Michelle has a keen interest in storytelling across multiple formats, including mythology, cinema, and social media memes. Her extensive experience in creative writing includes screenwriting, copywriting, short stories, and rhyming prose. She has authored and illustrated a self-published children's picture book series about creatures living around a star called "Zali Bukola". The first book in the series, "The Horrible Alien Visitor," received an award at the 2011 London Book Festival and an Honorary Mention at the 2011 Hollywood Book Festival.
Michelle also enjoys creating short films using AI image, video, and sound generation tools. Additionally, she devised a storyworld for an all-female superhero team called Tiamat as part of her Master's thesis' creative practice component.
Christina Mannah
MSL Educator
Christina is a dedicated and versatile professional currently pursuing a dual degree in Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Commerce at Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Sydney. With a strong passion for education and inclusion, Christina has gained extensive experience through various roles that highlight her commitment to helping others achieve their potential.
Christina has trained in the implementation and delivery of evidenced based programs such as UFLI and ASCEND intervention. She possesses the theoretical knowledge and skills to support children and adolescents with Specific Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia and Dysgraphia.
Christina has provided private tutoring services to children aged 7-16, specialising in subjects such as mathematics, English, and history. Through personalised one-on-one sessions, she has successfully addressed specific learning goals and academic challenges. Her approach includes utilising a variety of teaching methods, materials, and resources to cater to diverse learning styles, enhancing overall comprehension. By assessing students' strengths and weaknesses, Christina develops tailored lesson plans that focus on areas needing improvement while building upon existing skills.
Christina has experience in providing homework assistance and engaging with primary school-aged children through interactive games. She demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusion and accessibility, actively removing barriers for students with impairments and serving as a liaison between teachers and students to ensure a supportive learning environment.