Tessa Daffern PhD
Director and Principal Education Consultant, Literacy Education Solutions
Adjunct Associate Professor, La Trobe University (SOLAR Lab)
Winner of UKLA Wiley Research in Literacy Education Award 2021
Literacy Projects
Dr Daffern’s current projects include:
- NESA NSW English Syllabus Reform: Writer, K-6 English Syllabus
- School-based Professional Learning Pathways (tailored workshop series)
“My research is driven by my passion for English language education and for empowering teachers and undergraduate teacher education students to develop contemporary understandings that can inform their teaching of language and literacy.”
Dr. Daffern
CoST Teacher Dashboard
Explicit and Targeted Instruction of the Components of Spelling (Years 3 to 6)
An online teacher dashboard for the Components of Spelling Test (CoST) with tailored spelling activities for each student in your class based on automated CoST error analysis.
This innovative and comprehensive suite of research-based activities is directly mapped from the CoST error analysis data for your class.
Explicit and differentiated teaching activities; Flexibly print and use the activities on demand; Learning experiences for students that connect spelling with reading and writing; Confidently implement curriculum-aligned learning experiences for your students; Evidence based.
The Teacher Dashboard includes 3 FREE Spell Check Sessionsvia Zoom with Dr Tessa Daffern in 2024
Spelling assessment suggested schedule (Foundation – Year 6)
Download Link: CoSTEY and CoST Assessment Schedule
2024 Course
How to teach spelling: Primary years
This is a four-part course offered during Term 2, 2024. Presented by Dr Tessa Daffern, this course focusses on the teaching of spelling in the primary school years. Participants will explore a wide range of practical and evidence-based strategies for teaching the linguistic components of spelling. Examples of how to differentiate instruction and make connections with other aspects of learning across the curriculum will be shared.
New 2024 Dates
Explicitly teaching spelling conventions and strategies aligned with the new NSW English: 3 – 6 syllabus
In this workshop, Dr Tessa Daffern will outline the essential orthographic and morphological conventions to teach. She will also explain how these conventions can be integrated into the teaching of phonological strategies and etymology in ways that simultaneously expand and deepen students’ vocabulary knowledge.
Bonus: Each workshop participant receives a FREE copy of The Little Compendium of Standard English Spelling (valued at $70)
New Course Date
Explicitly teaching spelling and phonics aligned with the NSW English K-2 syllabus
In this workshop, Dr Tessa Daffern will provide examples of how to integrate explicit and systematic teaching of phonics with the phonological, orthographic and morphological components of spelling in the Early Years.
Bonus: Each workshop participant receives a FREE copy of The Little Compendium of Standard English Spelling (valued at $70)
The Components of Spelling Early Years Manual
2nd Edition
The Components of Spelling Early Years: Instruction and Assessment for the Linguistic Inquirer is an evidence-based resource for early years classroom educators.
The Components of Spelling Manual
2nd Edition
The Components of Spelling: Instruction and Assessment for the Linguistic Inquirer is an evidence-based resource for primary and middle school classroom educators.
The Little Compendium of Standard English Spelling
A guide for teachers, parents and students (Australia, New Zealand & UK Edition)
About Tessa
Dr Tessa Daffern has contributed to education in many capacities for over 20 years: as a classroom teacher in schools, teaching and learning specialist, literacy coordinator, academic and education consultant.
Tessa is currently a Director and Principal Literacy Education Consultant at Literacy Education Solutions. Tessa is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Canberra and has previously held academic positions at the University of Wollongong, University of Canberra and Charles Sturt University. Tessa’s research is driven by her passion for English language education and for empowering teachers and undergraduate teacher education students to develop contemporary understandings that can inform their teaching of language and literacy. Tessa’s PhD examined the teaching and learning of spelling and writing in Australian school contexts and involved almost 1400 students across 17 schools.
In 2017, Tessa was the recipient of the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association Doctoral Thesis Award. Tessa’s research has been disseminated through publications in national and international peer reviewed journals and edited books, and at national and international conferences. Prior to her career in academia, Tessa received a Recognition of Excellence Award by the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Education Office for her contributions and achievements, and in 2012 Tessa become one of the first Australian educators to become certified as a Highly Accomplished Teacher.
Literacy Education Solutions
Literacy Education Solutions offers research-based literacy teaching and learning services, resources and publications to schools, education departments and professional associations. Our services and resources are designed and delivered by the Director and Principal Education Consultant, Dr Tessa Daffern, who has contributed to education in many capacities for over 20 years: as a classroom teacher in schools, teaching and learning specialist, literacy coordinator, academic and education consultant.
Literacy Education Solutions is driven by Dr Tessa Daffern’s dedication to improving the literacy skills of school students and her passion for empowering teachers and leaders across all education sectors to develop contemporary, evidence-based understandings that can inform their teaching of language and literacy. Dr Tessa Daffern is available to design and deliver online and face-to-face professional learning modules, workshops and conference presentations.
ABN: 18 516 012 857