Meet the team
Our program development team comprises of teachers who are specialists in gifted education and presenters who are passionate experts in their fields. We understand what it is like first hand to be a teacher or parent of highly-able, gifted and talented children. It is our passion to help other parents and teachers to nurture, challenge and inspire these children to shine.
Meg Pini
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Meg Pini became solo director of G.A.T.E.WAYS in 2019. She has a Bachelors Degree in Applied Physics. As an accomplished teacher, she has taught secondary school science, mathematics and physics to junior and senior school students. She assists students to be active enquirers, making use of higher order thinking skills to extend and enrich their learning, and encourages them to share their knowledge and appreciation of the universe in which we live. Passionate about education, she is currently undertaking her Masters of Education in Gifted Education. Prior to becoming a Director, Meg had been involved with G.A.T.E.WAYS for many years, as a designer and presenter of exciting and challenging workshops, and as a program co-ordinator.
Allen Dickson
SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Allen Dickson is an educator & speaker with a passion for ensuring learning is innovative, practical and enjoyable. For over 20 years he has combined classroom teaching with appointments in various extra-curricular organisations where he uses a diverse range of skills to instil confidence, extend abilities and initiate change in classrooms. A regular with G.A.T.E.WAYS since 2012, Allen also runs his own educational consultancy – RethinkPD – where he speaks on a range of specialist issues (literacy, numeracy, thinking curricula, extension and enrichment, etc) both in schools and at conferences around the country.
Jacob Pini
NATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Jacob has completed a Bachelor of Aviation and a Masters of Teaching at the University of Melbourne. He is passionate about mathematics, digital technologies, positive education, and restorative justice. He believes firmly in firing imagination and inspiring interest in hands-on STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Jacob enjoys balancing his time between being outdoors on camping trips and plugging in to a variety of video games for enjoyment. He is looking forward to sharing his experiences, and creating exciting new learning opportunities.
Mary Ann Di Martino
VIC PROGRAM COORDINATOR (EUREKA)
Mary Ann is an experienced educator with over 30 years of teaching and educational leadership, specialising in the development and coordination of innovative programs for gifted and talented students from Prep to Year 12. With postgraduate studies in Gifted Education, she held key roles including Head of Extension Programs where she designed and delivered programs for students with high ability and ran gifted workshops for primary students. A member of several gifted education associations, Mary Ann is passionate about empowering students to realise their potential, nurturing their growth and igniting a lifelong love of learning—because there’s nothing more exciting than seeing young minds light up and discover new possibilities!
Deborah Patterson
VIC PROGRAM COORDINATOR (IGNITE)
With more than two decades of teaching experience across both primary and secondary settings, Deborah has taught secondary Mathematics, Science, and Biology (including VCE) and later worked as a primary generalist teacher and STEM educator. She has held a range of leadership positions, including VCE Coordinator, Sustainability Coordinator, and most recently, Primary STEM Specialist. Deborah is currently the Ignite Program Coordinator (VIC), where she enjoys working alongside schools to deliver high quality gifted education programs. Having seen firsthand the positive impact G.A.T.E.WAYS had on her own children, she is passionate about expanding opportunities for more schools and students to be involved. When she isn’t working on her Master of Education in Digital Futures and Innovative Practices, she enjoys adventuring with her husband and three energetic sons.
Emma Carter
PROGRAM COORDINATOR (THE CHALLENGE)
Emma has Bachelor Degrees in Science and Engineering, with majors in Physics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Melbourne. She has taught secondary school maths, science and physics, and has worked at Scienceworks as well as the Discovery Science and Technology Museum where she was an outreach education officer. Emma now enjoys presenting science workshops for G.A.T.E.WAYS.
Sappho Dalziell
NSW PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
Sappho is the NSW Program Executive for G.A.T.E.WAYS and has more than twenty years of primary teaching experience, including as a high potential and gifted education coordinator and teacher, and was a Department of Education HPGE representative for the Northern Beaches district. She completed her Masters in both Gifted Education and Fine Arts (UNSW) and has been an academic presenter for the Gifted Education Research & Resource Centre (GERRIC) at UNSW, delivering the Mini-COGE professional learning. In addition to this, Sappho has experience as a gifted education academic research assistant, tutor and marker for the Master’s Education degree at UNSW, and as a consultant for the GERRIC student programs. Sappho is also a director and consultant at ‘Beyond Exceptional’, working with gifted and neurodiverse individuals. Her interest areas are creativity and giftedness, twice exceptionality, gifted underachievement, and curriculum differentiation.
Emma Davies
NSW PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Emma Davies is the NSW Program Coordinator and a highly accomplished, versatile educator with more than a decade of experience across diverse educational settings. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning, a Bachelor of Arts in Community, Culture and Environment, and a Graduate Certificate in Science, and is currently completing a Master of Education Leadership. Emma has a strong foundation in curriculum design, classroom practice and educational content development. Her career spans a broad range of roles, including generalist classroom teacher, Music and Performing Arts Coordinator and curriculum writer. She has taught students from Kindergarten through to Year 12, delivering engaging, differentiated programs tailored to diverse learning needs. Emma has made significant contributions to curriculum development in both music and science, producing high quality, Australian Curriculum aligned programs and resources designed to challenge, extend and inspire students. Her creative strengths are matched by her ability to use assessment and student data to inform teaching and learning experiences to improve student outcomes. With a rich background in the performing arts, Emma has formal training in classical and contemporary piano and extensive experience directing school musicals, choirs, and large scale music events. She brings creativity, leadership and strategic thinking to every role, along with a strong commitment to continuous improvement. Passionate about creating meaningful learning opportunities both inside and beyond the classroom, Emma approaches her work with an agile, enthusiastic and reflective mindset. She is dedicated to empowering students to thrive and to fostering learning experiences that inspire them to reach their full potential.
Lisa Edgar
QLD PROGRAM COORDINATOR
With over 25 years of teaching experience spanning primary, secondary, and university settings, Lisa brings a rich and diverse background to her work in education. Having taught both in Australia and abroad, she has developed a deep understanding of varied learning environments and student needs. Lisa has a strong passion for gifted education and is dedicated to creating meaningful, engaging experiences for high-ability learners. Her academic background includes a major in French with a particular focus on Modern French Poetry and Theatre, later expanding her expertise through postgraduate studies in Applied Linguistics. Lisa is also the published author of a children’s book celebrating kindness, reflecting her belief in nurturing both the intellect and the heart of every learner.
Kathryn de Wal
ONLINE PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Kathryn is a passionate teacher with over a decade of experience. She has taught from Prep to Year 10 and relishes spending time with students and teaching new and challenging concepts with fun and enthusiasm. Kathryn has been both a general and specialist teacher with leadership responsibilities who loves learning and sharing knowledge with others. She has presented with G.A.T.E.WAYS since 2023 and she is currently the Online Program Coordinator which she values the opportunity to help provide extension programs for gifted students. In Kathryn’s spare time, she likes to spend it with family and friends and loves travelling and mini adventures!