Meet our team of experts facilitators and kaiako

We are a passionate and highly experienced team who are dedicated to delivering high quality professional learning and development for schools across New Zealand and internationally.

Leadership Team

Stephanie Mortimore

Programme Director & Facilitator

Stephanie taught Japanese for 25 years at Rangitoto College, 10 of these years as HOD Languages.

Yvonne Lim

Director

Yvonne has over 10 years senior leadership experience in education, and over 20 years experience across corporate New Zealand.

Simon McGinley

Project Lead & FRENCH National Language Adviser

Simon leads Language Circle’s National Language Adviser team, supports French teachers, and oversees international initiatives such as immersions and language assistant programmes.

National Language Advisers

Paola Iasci

SPANISH National Language Adviser

Since September 2024 Paola has been in charge of the Education Advisory Office in New Zealand while training as a Spanish teacher in Aotearoa.

Beate Weinhardt

GERMAN National Language Adviser

Chisato Yoshioka

JAPANESE National Language Adviser

As a Japanese education specialist, Chisato has been dispatched by the Japan Foundation to work in various countries, including Indonesia, Brazil, Germany, and Hungary.

Simon McGinley

Project Lead & FRENCH National Language Adviser

Simon leads Language Circle’s National Language Adviser team, supports French teachers, and oversees international initiatives such as immersions and language assistant programmes.

Support Team

Courtney Hopman

Operations Specialist

Courtney is an Operations Specialist, supporting the wider Language Circle team across systems and operational support.

Kath Doody

Programme Coordinator

Kath’s professional journey, spanning events, marketing, tourism, and customer service, equips her with a diverse skillset.

Facilitators

Sonia Lucchese

Facilitator

An innovative educator with almost 20 years of teaching experience across the motu (Tāmaki Makaurau and Ōtautahi)