Tēnā koutou katoa. My name is Sheryl Willis and I am the Assessment Services Practice Lead at BLENNZ. I lead the National Assessment Service (a team which includes medical, therapy, and teaching specialists), support the creation and delivery of professional development, and contribute to research that enhances practice and outcomes for ākonga.
My background is in speech-language therapy, and I have been fortunate to work with ākonga and whānau across South Auckland for much of my career. I began my practice as a Speech Language Therapist in the Ministry of Education before moving into a specialist role within a Special School, including that of School Leadership. Since starting at BLENNZ, I have continued to deepen my work in assessment, communication, and learning access, whilst collaborating with ākonga, whanau and staff.
I am passionate about strengthening practice, building capability, and ensuring that our approaches reflect the needs and aspirations of our ākonga and whānau. In my role, I work alongside BLENNZ staff to strengthen high-quality practice, foster collaboration, and help create an environment where everyone can thrive.