Speakers

CEO, Longworth Education (New Zealand)
International Speaker, Researcher, and Advocate for Play-Based Education

Dr. Sarah Aiono is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s foremost experts in play pedagogy, a thought leader dedicated to transforming education through evidence-based, child-centred teaching practices. With a rich background as a classroom teacher working with diverse student needs, Sarah is committed to equipping educators with the skills to integrate meaningful play into their daily teaching, fostering children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.

As the CEO of Longworth Education, Sarah leads a global team delivering professional development in New Zealand, Canada, and India, pioneering culturally sustaining approaches to play pedagogy. Under her leadership, Longworth has developed innovative frameworks that empower teachers to navigate curriculum demands while maintaining developmentally appropriate practices.

A passionate advocate for indigenous perspectives, Sarah is co-leading a groundbreaking research project exploring the integration of indigenous play practices in the classroom. She is also New Zealand’s representative for the Global Recess Alliance and Oceania HundrED Community Lead, amplifying the global conversation about the critical role of play.

In addition to her educational impact, Sarah champions the value of play across industries, inspiring audiences from educators to corporate leaders with the message that play is essential to creativity, resilience, and innovation in today’s world. She hosts the popular podcast Play Conversations on Spotify, further sharing her insights and inspiring a global audience.

For bookings or more information, contact: info@longwortheducation.co.nz

Layne Pethick is a Behavior and Autism Spectrum Disorders Master Consultant for the state of Texas. He has a PhD in Business and Organization Leadership and has a Master’s degree in Special Education with specialization in Human Behavior, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder, along with Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Reading.

Layne has experience as a general and special education teacher, school administrator, district trainer, program director, and in higher education as a professor of special education, assessment, early childhood and teacher education. He has been deeply involved in brain research for the past 20+ years with a focus on the following areas: behavior, learning, autism, trauma, mental health, screen time, and various disabilities. He continues to work with various countries in the areas of brain research, education and special education to include Mexico (2009-2011), Hong Kong (2011), Canada (currently), Vietnam (currently), and across the United States (currently).

Dr. Jean Clinton is a Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster, division of Child Psychiatry. She is on staff at McMaster Children’s Hospital with cross appointments in Pediatrics and Family Medicine, and an Associate in the Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Toronto and Sick Children’s Hospital. She is also a senior scientist at the INCH (INfant Child Health) Lab at McMaster University. In addition, she is a Fellow of the Child Trauma Academy, as well as a Zero to Three Academy Fellow since 2013. She has been a consultant to children and youth mental health programs, child welfare, and primary care for over 30 years. Dr. Clinton was appointed as an education advisor to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Education 2014 – 2018.

Dr. Clinton is renowned nationally and internationally as an advocate for children’s issues. Her special interest lies in brain development, and the crucial role relationships and connectedness play therein. Jean champions the development of a national, comprehensive child well-being strategy including a system of early learning and care for all young children and their families. She is equally committed to ensuring that children’s and youths’ needs and voices are heard and respected.

Professor Mark Tremblay has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Sports Administration and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree from Laurentian University. His graduate training was from the University of Toronto where he obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the Department of Community Health with a specialty in Exercise Science. Dr. Tremblay is a Senior Scientist with the Healthy Active Living and Obesity (HALO) Research Group at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute and Professor of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, President of the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance, Founder of the Sedentary Behaviour Research Network, President of Outdoor Play Canada, and Adjunct/Visiting/Honorary Professor at six other universities on four continents. Dr. Tremblay has published >600 scientific papers and book chapters in the areas of childhood obesity, physical activity measurement, exercise physiology, sedentary physiology, outdoor play and health surveillance. According to Scopus, his h-index is >110 and his published research has been cited >50,000 times, consistently placing him on the Clarivate list of highly cited researchers (top 1% in the world). He has delivered or coauthored over 1,000 scholarly conference presentations, including more than 150 invited and keynote addresses, in 22 different countries. Dr. Tremblay received an honorary doctorate from Nipissing University, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Lawson Foundation 60th Anniversary Award, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Honour Award and John Sutton Memorial Lecturer Award, the Victor Marchessault Advocacy Award from the Canadian Pediatric Society, the Vic Neufeld Mentorship Award in Global Health Research from the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research, the International Network of Time-Use Epidemiologists Laureate Award, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Trailblazer Award in Population and Public Health Research, and the Obesity Canada Distinguished Lecturer Award for his leadership contributions to healthy active living in Canada and around the world. Dr. Tremblay’s most productive work has resulted from his 36-year marriage to his wife Helen, yielding four wonderful children.

Jim Gill is a musician and author with singular credentials among children’s artists. Jim spent twenty years directing programs in music play for families with children with special needs in the Chicago area. His particular writing style—combining word play and movement opportunities into songs—was developed through this work. Jim completed his graduate studies in child development at the Erikson Institute of Chicago with a special emphasis on the study of play. His work experience and studies have led Jim to create each of his recordings and books as an opportunity for playful interactions between a child and a caring adult.

 Jim has released ten award-winning recordings of music play for young children.   The songs are now available on all streaming platforms so that EVERYONE can have access to his ACTIVE musical games! Jim is also the author of two children’s books. Over the years he has received five awards from the American Library Association for his releases.

Jim’s most recent project involves the creation of a series of VIDEO books, based on his book May There Always Be Sunshine, with words and illustrations contributed by children from across the United States and Canada. Thousands of children have shared their heartfelt wishes and inspiring illustrations in these projects created for schools, libraries and other community organizations. 

 Kim is an autistic occupational therapist, speaker, consultant, author, and self-advocate who has provided over 200 trainings on autism and neurodiversity world-wide. Kim broke through barriers as she defied a healthcare system that said, “your autism is severe; you need to live in a nursing home.” Her difficult experiences forged a passion for educating others on autism. Through hands-on learning Kim uses personal experiences and professional expertise to educate on many facets of autism across the lifespan

Accompanying Kim is her husband, William who helps with aspects of presenting that are challenging for Kim. Their presentation style is unique; they are “an open book” and through their interactions demonstrate positive ways to assist autistic individuals. When not speaking, Kim can be found climbing trees!

Lyndon J Linklater is a traditional knowledge keeper and storyteller. He has an educational background in Indian Social Work, Indian Studies and some law.

He is a citizen of the Thunderchild First Nation (Plains Cree) in Treaty 6 and has roots in Couchiching First Nation (Fort Francis, Ontario) in Treaty 3.

Presently, Lyndon shares work with the Remai Modern Art Museum in Saskatoon as their Indigenous Relations Advisor providing advice to their board and staff and delivering cultural programming.

He is the longest serving member of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s Speakers’ Bureau, since he was appointed in 2000. Over the years, he has spoken to tens of thousands of people, delivering awareness and enlightenment on Treaty and First Nation worldview.

He is a powerful story teller that utilizes First Nation teachings that involve knowledge of ceremonies and mixes humour to deliver a poignant message