Speakers

Steve Graner is an NME Consultant to The Neurosequential Network and NME Director, Emeritus. Steve grew up in Bismarck, ND, received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Sioux Falls, and completed his Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Minnesota State University Mankato. With thirty-three years teaching English at Erik Ramstad Middle School in Minot, North Dakota,  Steve has also coached cross country and track and field, receiving Coach of the Year honors in ND for both high school and middle school cross country. Steve is best known for his creative approaches to teaching and coaching and combines a love of the arts and sports with the passion for pedagogy. 

Jase Williams (Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Kahungunu) 

With over 25 years of experience, Jase has walked alongside communities navigating the complex landscapes of trauma, poverty, and intergenerational harm. As the Principal of Henry Hill School (2012–2022), he led an internationally recognised transformation that earned the 2021 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Award for Wellbeing. This "in the trenches" leadership is the foundation of his book, Your Trauma Has A Whakapapa, which reframes trauma not as a clinical deficit, but as a relational journey deeply connected to identity and ancestry.

Jase’s influence extends far beyond the education sector. As a National Champion for the Changemaker programme (Ministry of Social Development), he supports whānau-led systems change in low socio-economic communities. He reaches into our most vulnerable spaces—from delivering trauma-informed workshops in correctional facilities to advocating for culturally grounded healing at national suicide awareness and mental health events. 

Lynda is Principal of Glenview School in Cannons Creek, Porirua, and a Professional Development Facilitator in trauma-informed education and relational neuroscience. She has presented internationally in diverse contexts. Trained by Dr Bruce Perry and Steve Graner, she is an Advanced Trainer for the Neurosequential Model in Education (NME) and has mentored trainees across Aotearoa.

Her study of neuroscience, alongside the development led in her own school, drives her commitment to advancing understandings of neurobiology to transform education in Aotearoa.

Lynda is a member of the Aotearoa Educators Collective (AEC), the Youth Development and Education Network Aotearoa (YDENA) and the Neuroscience and Trauma-informed Network Aotearoa (NATINA). In 2024, she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship.