Charlotte
Meet
Charlotte Machin French is passionate about turning research into practical, evidence-informed classroom practice that builds both teacher clarity and learner confidence. A self-confessed MTSS “data geek,” she specialises in making complex student data meaningful, actionable, and useful in everyday teaching.
Charlotte Machin French is a literacy leader, coach, and facilitator who specialises in translating research, data, and theory into practical classroom application.
She is deeply passionate about improving student outcomes by helping teachers and leaders make sense of assessment data and use it to inform clear, purposeful next steps in teaching and learning.
Charlotte has over 15 years of experience teaching across Years 7–13 in a range of curriculum areas including English, Visual Arts, Social Sciences, Technology, and literacy intervention. She also brings more than 13 years of leadership experience across curriculum development, professional learning, mentoring, and pastoral care.
Her recent work has focused on leading school-wide literacy development, implementing Structured Literacy approaches, and strengthening assessment and data systems to support targeted intervention and instructional improvement.
Charlotte joined Liz Kane Literacy after seeking more practical, evidence-based approaches to Structured Literacy and Science of Learning implementation in secondary settings. Her alignment with the organisation’s hands-on, classroom-focused approach led to her becoming a facilitator working with schools across Aotearoa.
She is passionate about making professional learning engaging, practical, and immediately usable, ensuring teachers feel confident implementing Structured Literacy in their own classrooms.
Outside of work, Charlotte is based in Plimmerton with her whānau, and has strong connections to extended family in the Bay of Islands and Wairarapa. Much of her downtime is spent outdoors with her family, exploring beaches, bush, and everything in between.
"We are suffering from both an oversimplification and overcomplication of the essential messages around effective teaching and learning — and I believe my role is to translate the jargon, unpack the processes, and provide PLD that turns understanding into actionable, sustainable classroom practice."
Charlotte's Career Milestones
2026: Ministry of Education Study Support Grant recipient
Supporting ongoing research and professional learning in Structured Literacy, Science of Learning, and adolescent literacy in secondary school contexts.
2017 – 2023:
Specialist Classroom Teacher
Taught Years 7–13 across English, literacy, and intervention while leading PLD, mentoring systems, and curriculum development.
2011 – 2016:
National assessment panels
Experience contributing to national assessment, marking, and moderation processes.
2024 – Present:
Leader of School-wide Literacy (Secondary)
Implementing Structured Literacy approaches, and strengthening assessment and data systems to support targeted intervention and instructional improvement.
2015 – 2020:
Curriculum Leadership Roles
Held multiple curriculum and leadership roles, including Assistant Principal responsibilities.
2023 – 2024:
Year 11 & 12 Dean
Provided senior pastoral and academic leadership supporting student engagement, wellbeing, and achievement.
2014 – 2017:
Leader of School-wide Professional Development
Led Teaching as Inquiry and whole-school PLD systems focused on data-informed improvement.
