Academy Director
Consultant Speech Therapist
Teacher Nicci is an internationally trained and experienced teacher as well as an aspiring artist. She completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design before finding her way into education a few years later. She completed a first class Honours Degree in Primary Education abroad and has engaged in various professional development courses equipping her with specialist skills such as Makaton, Level 1 Braille, and TEACCH training to name a few. Furthermore, Nicci has valuable experience working within adolescent mental health services. With over 10 years experience supporting children and teenagers within a variety of settings in the United Kingdom, she brings with her a wealth of knowledge regarding best practices and innovative pedagogies that can make a real difference in a child's ability to engage with the learning opportunities available to them.
Nicci is passionate about involving the whole family and feels that real, lasting change and progress is possible through a complimentary approach between school and home support.
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Bhavini Dowji is a Speech Therapist and Audiologist in private practice who completed her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Therapy at the University of Witwatersrand. She works with children who have various neurological deficits and learning difficulties that may impact on communication, feeding, speech production, auditory processing and the development of literacy skills. She brings with her so much passion for early literacy interventions and has completed professional development courses in Raising Readers, Dyslexia Unpacked and Rave-O. Her knowledge of South African Sign Language and Makaton make her a valuable asset to the team.
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Bhavini is committed to long term goal development and always looks to what life will be like in the future for her students. She is able to engage with students and clients on a personal and professional level very easily.
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Outreach Worker
Thulani Hleza has this wonderful way of connecting with some of the younger students that access our services. She has over 2 years experience working as a special needs teaching assistant and has the courage to take on any challenge given to her. She has experience supporting very young children with complex needs that demonstrate quite challenging behaviours. Under the guidance of our Academy Director and Therapist Team, Thulani helps us implement our teaching and therapy programme in the homes of families who may not otherwise be able to access our services due to socio-economic reasons or due to geographical reasons. ​
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With Thulani's enthusiasm and dedication we know that we are able to expand our reach and fulfill our goals of improving the quality of life for some of our incredibly vulnerable students.
Consultant Occupational Therapist
Kabi Krige is an Occupational Therapist, currently in private practice. She Started her career by obtaining a Bsc Degree in Human Movement Sciences from the North West University, but realised she wanted to have an impact in the field of disability. Following which, in 2011, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of the Free State. Kabi has since completed her training in Neuro-Developmental Treatment.
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Kabi has always had an interest in paediatrics and has worked in various settings pursuing the necessary skills to best treat her clients. This experience varies from government, private practice, schools and the NGO sector. Having spent the founding years of her career in the NGO sector her focus is on fun, functional participation with the intent of having therapy carry over at home or in school with the use of activities of daily life. This is why helping caregivers and teachers to understand the principles of how to effectively help their child is so important to her.
Amton Mbangeni is a hidden gem that has so many skills that are highly sought after within special needs education. He is calm and gentle with his pupils while being incredibly methodical in his approach to developing their skills. With over 20 years experience as a qualified specialist teacher for the blind, he has a natural ability to see the potential in each of his students. When reflecting on his experience, one of his proudest moments was when he successfully taught the concept of fractions to a student with congenital blindness. Amton can teach pre-baille skills as well as advanced braille, making him the perfect candidate to support students across the primary and secondary school phases.
Despite his wealth of knowledge, Amton is always looking for ways to expand on his skills. Amton takes an active approach to researching new pedagogical approaches that he can utilise to enhance his engagement with students with profound and complex needs.
Specialist Tutor for the Blind/Low Vision
Accounts Manager
Teresa Gortz handles our enrolment and contractual processes. Her hard work behind the scenes enable the management and teaching team to focus on doing what they do best. Teresa'
s previous work experience lies in project management within the digital agency and broadcasting industry .
Teresa is highly meticulous and organised. She is always available to help out and can be relied apon at just a moments notice.
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When Teresa is not running around after The Little Nook, you can find her involved in creative pursuits or spending time in nature.