Open to opportunities

LOUISA ZONDI

@louisazondi

Message

Experienced Education Specialist and curriculum developer improving early literacy through evidence-based reform.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to contribute to ECD curriculum revision and versioning—supporting structured curriculum review, quality assurance, and large-scale implementation. I want to strengthen educator support and early literacy outcomes through evidence-based practice.

I am an experienced Education Specialist and Curriculum Developer with over 25 years’ combined experience in Foundation Phase teaching, ECD development, literacy development, teacher training, and curriculum implementation at provincial and national levels. I have served as a former Deputy Chief Education Specialist, where I led and coordinated large-scale literacy programmes, contributed to national curriculum frameworks, and supported the implementation of the Revised National Curriculum Statement and Curriculum 2005.

Through my work with the Free State and Gauteng Departments of Education, I supported educators and strengthened early learning outcomes through policy development, educator support, curriculum reform, and monitoring at district level. I am also a published author of children’s literature aligned to the National Curriculum, translated and versioned into South Africa’s official languages and included in the National Catalogue—experience that strengthened my understanding of curriculum content development, language adaptation, and culturally relevant learning materials. In recent years, I have built strong systems, monitoring, reporting, and implementation skills through senior roles, and I remain committed to contributing to ECD curriculum revision and versioning with quality assurance and evidence-based practice.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Senior Specialist: Training and Development

City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality

Jan 2009 - Jan 2022 (13 years)

Worked as a Senior Specialist focused on Training and Development within Enterprise Risk Management and Business Continuity. Led implementation of Business Continuity Management aligned to ISO 22301 and supported training and development activities from 2009 to 2022.

Training And Development Enterprise Risk Management Business Continuity Management

Deputy Chief Education Specialist: Literacy Coordinator

Gauteng Department of Education

Jan 2005 - Jan 2009 (4 years)

Managed and coordinated provincial literacy programmes in Gauteng and developed literacy policies aligned to national frameworks. Interpreted and implemented curriculum policies across 15 districts, led educator training, and supported provincial literacy campaigns and reading initiatives.

Literacy Programme Management Curriculum Policy Interpretation Teacher Training District Level Implementation Reading Corner Project

Deputy Chief Education Specialist: Literacy Coordinator

Free State Department of Education

Jan 2000 - Jan 2005 (5 years)

Conducted training needs analyses for Foundation Phase educators and monitored curriculum implementation at district level in the Free State. Served on the Free State ECD Council and oversaw screening, evaluation, and selection of curriculum-aligned teaching and learning support materials, including translated resources.

Curriculum Support District Subject Advisor Support Revised National Curriculum Statement Training Monitoring and Evaluation TLSM Screening And Evaluation Learning Materials Selection Multilingual Resource Selection

Foundation Phase Teacher

The Grange Primary School

Jan 1995 - Jan 1999 (4 years)

Delivered Foundation Phase curriculum in line with national standards and developed learner-centred lesson plans. Supported the School Governing Body, communicated with parents, and contributed to school development and sport activities.

Foundation Phase Teaching School Governing Body Support Positive Learning Environment Support School Development Participation

Member - National Literacy Task Team

National Literacy Task Team

Jan 2005 - Present (21 years 6 months)

Participated as a member of the National Literacy Task Team in 2005, contributing to national literacy advisory work.

Literacy Advisory Participation

Member - Free State ECD Council

Free State ECD Council

Jan 2001 - Present (25 years 6 months)

Served as a member of the Free State ECD Council in 2001, contributing to early childhood development sector work.

ECD Council Advisory Participation Policy Development

Lead Teacher - Ikhwezi Project

ECDoE & Swiss Government Partnership

Jan 2000 - Present (26 years 6 months)

Provided leadership in Foundation Phase curriculum development for the Ikhwezi Project. Conducted teacher training workshops, mentored educators, and prepared project reports and presentations for sponsors.

Teacher Training Mentoring and Coaching Teaching Methodology Improvement Project Reporting

Member - Literacy Ministerial Committee

Literacy Ministerial Committee

Served as a member of the Literacy Ministerial Committee (Naledi Pandor) in an advisory capacity.

Literacy Policy Advisory

Pilot Teacher - Curriculum 2005 (C2005)

Curriculum 2005 (C2005)

Served as a pilot teacher for the implementation of Curriculum 2005 (C2005), participating in intensive curriculum training programmes. Implemented outcomes-based education methodologies and supported educators during the curriculum transition as a change ambassador.

Curriculum 2005 (C2005) Piloting Intensive Curriculum Training Curriculum Support

Provincial Core Team - Literacy Project

Literacy Project (Pretoria)

Served on a provincial core team for the Literacy Project (Pretoria), supporting literacy project work.

Literacy Project Support

Provincial Core Team - Revised National Curriculum Statement

Revised National Curriculum Statement

Contributed as part of a provincial core team supporting the Revised National Curriculum Statement.

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

North-West University (Potchefstroom)

Bachelor of Education (Honours), Teaching and Learning

Completed a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Teaching and Learning. Built expertise in teaching and learning for Foundation Phase contexts.

Madadeni Teachers College

Higher Diploma in Education, Junior Primary

Completed a Higher Diploma in Education (Junior Primary). Focused on preparation for junior primary teaching and classroom delivery.

Madadeni Teachers College

Primary Teaching Diploma, Primary Education

Completed a Primary Teaching Diploma through Madadeni Teachers College. Prepared for primary school teaching in alignment with national education standards.