At Learning Pioneers, we are a diverse team of educators, thinkers, and facilitators who are passionate about empowering teachers and leaders to take charge of their professional and personal growth. We collaborate across global contexts to create a nurturing, supportive, and innovative community, where everyone has a voice. Together, we strive to re-imagine what education can look like when driven by purpose, curiosity, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning.
At Learning Pioneers, we believe in the transformative power of agency—for both educators and learners. Our approach is rooted in creating environments that foster inquiry, empowerment, playful learning and the cultivation of lifelong learning skills. By collaborating with global thought leaders and educators, we help you explore and deepen your practice in ways that are practical, reflective, and sustainable. Whether through book studies, live events, or shared provocations, our community thrives on co-creating knowledge and sharing insights to fuel personal and professional growth.
Dr Kulvarn Atwal
Maree is a Learning Coach, content creator and big picture thinker. She brings decades of teaching and leadership experience to her current role as Education Consultant, working with classroom teachers and school leaders in a range of diverse educational settings, finding every opportunity to listen, learn and grow with the educators that she actively supports. With a passion for the Humanities, cultural heritage and social justice, Maree strongly supports a curriculum based upon purposeful pedagogical decisions, where human connections, children and young people remain at the heart of all we do.
Maree is fortunate to be in the third season of her life, finding out why grandparenting is so grand! From slowing-looking, exploring nature, splashing in puddles, kicking a football and eating icecream for breakfast, time spent with her grandson is the highlight of her week.
Diksha is the founder of Learning Habitat, a play-based learning space for early years, she is passionate about nurturing children's curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills. With a diverse background as a teacher, researcher, community builder, curriculum designer, and teacher trainer, she has gained valuable insights from each role to shape her venture. A strong believer in the power of play to develop essential life skills and foster kindness, she draws inspiration from the Reggio Emilia approach. Excited to connect with the Learning Pioneers community, she looks forward to engaging with members through her posts and campfire sessions.
Diksha comes from a family of teachers and believes teaching is in her genes. She can go without food or water, but never without her cup of coffee!
Starting her teaching journey in the UK as a high school Geography teacher, Jo later moved to Australia, where her love for all things learning and teaching led her to embrace primary education. Now, as the Director of Learning and Teaching at a K-12 Christian School in Canberra, she teaches Middle School Science and is particularly passionate about building collective efficacy and fostering a culture of inquiry with both staff and students. With a keen interest in documentation, she uses sketchnotes to reflect on her learning and to create visual representations for others to enjoy. Jo is also a book lover and runner, especially enjoying the scenic local peaks.
With the love of a challenge, Jo taught herself to play the saxophone and ran the London Marathon, since completing 3 more 🙂
A secondary teacher who, due to a lucky twist of fate, got into teaching infants and primary. Penélope has worked across EYFS and primary mainly in lower stages both in private and public schools, becoming a PYP teacher in 2019. She is passionate about inquiry, making children agents of their own learning and also sharing all her experiences and practices.She is also a teacher non afraid of reinventing herself over and over again making that energy and passion contagious to everybody around her.
Penny is a rock and roll music lover, likes to dress in 50s style clothes, something her children love and is addicted to tattoos and shoes.
Birg started her teaching career as a secondary English & History teacher at a small government school in Melbourne, but the urge to see the world soon saw her packing her bags for London. She spent a few months as a supply teacher, before ending up at a tiny Special Needs High School in the inner Western borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, where worked with high-functioning students who had a range of neurological and physical challenges. Next stop was Bangkok where Birg has spent 14 years in International schools, mostly in EY & Primary, with experience with Aus, UK & IB curriculums, coordinating whole school Curriculum & Assessment practices and has been a Literacy lead. Currently she works as a PYP Library Teacher! Birg brings these experiences, coupled with observations from her own teaching practice & a huge dose of experimental enthusiasm to her role as a coach within the community. She is here to support you all and to learn alongside you within the LP community!
Birg is currently exploring the world of international development to begin a small NGO, with the aim of raising money and awareness to improve health & education access for children and their communities in Laos.
Early years educator and school leader currently in an independent school in the UK. Previous roles include teaching across the primary phase in state maintained and schools in Nepal and South America. Anna loves thinking about ways to support and invite staff to become playful partners in school, being outdoors and delving into books. Currently curator of the Learning Pioneers Book Study, Anna asks the question, “what does this look like in my school?”
Anna went to a workshop to build her own wooden bellyboard so she doesn't have to share bodyboards with her own boys when in the sea.
A teacher, leader and educational designer/pioneer, Kimberley has worked across the EYFS, primary and lower secondary phases in both state maintained and independent schools. She is committed to learner-centered, inquiry-led practice. As a mum to 3 primary aged children, creating and empowering a more inclusive, holistic approach in education is front and foremost of both her personal and professional goals. Delighted at the prospect of connecting with and championing the incredible members of the Learning Pioneering community!
Trying to relive her teenage dance years, Kimberley has just started adult ballet though suspects she is more ‘elephantesque’ than ‘arabesque’ in reality!
We believe learning is collaborative and that everyone is a leader in their own right. We connect educators with world-renowned speakers and expert practitioners to build a global community that thrives on sharing and implementing best practices. Every member of our team is deeply committed to supporting you on your professional journey, whether you’re looking to lead in your classroom, your school, or beyond.
We’re always looking to grow our team of passionate educators. If you believe in making professional development teacher-led, inquiry-based, and impactful, we’d love to hear from you.
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