Tessa is a certified practicing speech pathologist with a long history of working in the literacy and education spheres. She researched a school entry literacy intervention as a doctoral candidate between 2003 and 2007 during which she developed and then trialled an early intervention program in 11 foundation classrooms. Her work in this project resulted in the publication of the University of Queensland Early Literacy Fundamentals program which was subsequently internationally published.

Tessa’s more recent work as a research officer has involved investigating whole school approaches and collaboration between classroom teachers and speech pathologists as they support students with communication and literacy challenges.

As a practicing certified speech pathologist, she has provided services to children with severe dyslexia and language disorders.