News and Media

Learning MATTERS company bio

Learning MATTERS partners with schools, teachers, and specialist educators to build knowledge and guide practice in evidence-based Structured Literacy. We do this using our iDeaL Approach which is founded on the science of reading and provides kaiako with the tools and knowledge needed to deliver systematic, cumulative, and effective foundational literacy instruction. Thousands of teachers across New Zealand use the iDeaL Approach to create inclusive classrooms and enhance literacy outcomes.

Our consultancy support and professional learning and development (PLD) offerings guide and support educators in implementing Structured Literacy, while our Intervention Teaching Certification (LMIT), accredited by the International Dyslexia Association, provides specialist training for those working with students with learning differences. Additionally, through our annual Cultivating the Literacy Landscape Symposium, we bring international expertise to New Zealand, empowering educators to adopt the latest research-based literacy practices.

We are a passionate team with a goal to drive both an andragogical and pedagogical shift in literacy practice, ensuring improved outcomes for students across New Zealand. We believe this can be achieved through a clear and consistent Structured Literacy approach that supports explicit, systematic literacy instruction for learners of all abilities.

Driven by our vision to inspire, enable, and influence education for all, we are committed to ensuring that every learner has the right and opportunity to succeed.

Media contact

Rachael Griffin
Marketing and Communications

Email: marketing@learningmatters.co.nz

Media enquiries
Speaking enquiries
Press releases

Carla McNeil bio

Carla McNeil
Bed, Dip T, AMADA Australian Dyslexic Assoc
Founder and General Manager at Learning MATTERS

Carla McNeil is a leading figure in New Zealand’s education sector, renowned for her commitment to enhancing literacy outcomes through evidence-based methods. As the founder and managing director of Learning MATTERS, established in 2016, Carla has dedicated her career to supporting literacy education, with a particular focus on students with learning differences such as dyslexia.

Her extensive career in education includes roles as a classroom teacher, school principal, and university advisor. Carla’s advocacy for literacy was profoundly shaped by her experiences with her son, who faced challenges related to dyslexia, auditory processing disorder (APD), and attention deficit disorder (ADD). This personal journey ignited her passion for developing effective educational interventions.

Carla is the creator of the iDeaL Approach, a Structured Literacy framework that emphasises explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction. This framework is designed to address the needs of all students, including those with learning differences, by employing diagnostic teaching methods to tailor instruction according to individual requirements. The iDeaL Approach has gained widespread adoption across New Zealand, revolutionising literacy practices in numerous schools.

Under Carla’s leadership, Learning MATTERS offers comprehensive professional development for educators, providing them with the expertise and tools needed to implement Structured Literacy effectively. Her organisation also delivers the Learning MATTERS Intervention Teaching Certification (LMIT), accredited by the International Dyslexia Association, ensuring high standards in literacy intervention training.

Carla is a proactive advocate for literacy education, having previously appeared on television and radio to discuss literacy issues and promote Structured Literacy. Carla’s work is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and effective educational environment, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to excel in literacy. Her dedication to evidence-based teaching and her efforts to influence educational practices have significantly impacted New Zealand’s literacy landscape.

Featured Articles

School News | Term 4, 2024Literacy is a foundational component of learning which unlocks the rest of the curriculum.

Education Gazette | June 2024Structured literacy approach is transforming reading outcomes for students.

School News | Term 2, 2024PLD is crucial for ensuring excellence for our ākonga. It's about embracing new learning, enhancing existing skills, and keeping our knowledge up-to-date.

School News | Term 4, 2023Literacy is a fundamental building block for children's educational achievement, their future employment prospects, and their engagement with society outside of school.

School News | Term 3, 2023Ensuring every child receives the necessary support to develop the foundational literacy skills to access their learning can be a complex endeavour, particularly when addressing diverse needs.

School News | Term 2, 2023Whole school PLD focuses are much more likely to lead to consistent, shared knowledge and practice.

School News | Term 1, 2023Understanding ‘Why’ and knowing 'How' we learn to read is vital to be able to support students with a literacy learning difference such as dyslexia.

School News | Term 4, 2022“When reviewing existing programs, or when surveying alternative options, I strongly encourage schools to research providers that build teacher knowledge.”

School News | Term 3, 2022"We must aim for no exclusion by recognising the diversities and responding with a consistent, evidence-based approach." Read Carla's article on a consistent approach.

Education Gazette | March 2022A structured literacy approach is plugging foundational gaps, with fewer children requiring extra support at Holy Family Catholic School, Wanaka.

School News | Term 1, 2022Understanding ‘why’ and having knowledge and tools that align with 'how' we learn to read is vital to be able to put in place the appropriate evidence-based action, strategies and support.

School News | Term 3, 2021 "Learning takes place when you feel safe to engage and when you feel supported." Read Carla's article on building an inclusive literacy environment.