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Nola is a passionate learner, educator and leader, in the facilitation of growth and change. Her innate curiosity and intentional inclusivity, drive her to facilitate positive person-to-person connection in both her personal and professional life. Nola continues to enjoy a career in education, which has spanned more than 30 years, across Australia, England, Laos and Thailand: an opportunity to advocate for the wellbeing, empowerment and transformation of young minds and hearts.

Experiences as a Rotary Ambassador to Thailand in her late teens sparked in Nola a desire to seek and cultivate intercultural understanding, connection, and communication, and has guided her trajectory professionally, personally, and across communities. Nola’s pursuit of peace, both internally and externally (personally and globally), has driven her to acquire tools and practices that strengthen self-awareness, self-compassion, communication, empathy, relationship, deep reflection and safety – foundational for pursuing best outcomes.

Nola’s understanding that the power to change the world begins with our willingness to grow and change personally, has inspired a lifelong journey of learning which has extended beyond her degree in teaching. Intercultural studies, Language acquisition, Counselling, Mindfulness, a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, a Master of Education (IB), and a healthy balance of dabbling in basket weaving, pottery and Light Hands Horsemanship has kept her agile.

An influential teacher, mentor and leader in Junior, Middle, and Senior-School settings, Nola’s areas of expertise and interest include Learner Agency, trauma-informed practice, community-building through the Arts, teaching Psychology, supporting Social Emotional Learning, Sustainable Practices, Early Literacy, Culture & Team Building, Curriculum Review and Development, promoting Play and connection with Nature, and the symbiotic benefits of intergenerational and cross-community connections. Nola sees education as a catalyst for change through actively creating safety, raising awareness and developing systems for agency.

Australian by birth, Nola has currently strategically based herself in Bangkok, Thailand, where she is more centrally placed to be the best mother she can be to her newly-adult, international daughter, while also joyfully engaging in writing, collaborative projects in schools, and pursuing further study. Nola has taken a period of leave from her role at Navigator College, where she has been part of the journey of introducing and embedding Compassionate Systems thinking and practices into school culture. 

Nola is delighted to be continuing on her journey of capacity-building through the Compassionate Systems Master Practitioner Certification Program in 2024-25.