Jill's teaching and research interests centre around learners with special needs and special abilities and Mäori education and research. Her Masterate research involved Mäori perspectives of intellectual disability and giftedness and her doctoral thesis investigated culturally appropriate, effective services for Mäori learners with special needs. Jill's cultural heritage is Irish, Welsh and Mäori (Ngäti Raukawa, Ngäti Wehiwehi, Ngäti Awa and Ngäi te Rangi). Her teaching experience of 30+ years ranges from early childhood to tertiary both in Aotearoa/New Zealand and overseas.