Esme Schmitt

I am an Education Specialist with over 20 years of experience in curriculum development, instructional design, teacher education, and programme leadership across higher education (Stellenbosch University, CPUT and Fort Hare), NGOs, and school-based contexts.

I am a highly experienced Mathematics Education Specialist and educational leader with over 26 years of experience across primary sschool, higher education, non-profit, and teacher development contexts in South Africa and the USA. My work spans classroom teaching (Grades 3–9), university lecturing in Foundation Phase Mathematics Education (BEd and PGCE), large-scale teacher training programmes, curriculum and resource development, and educational research.

I have designed and implemented evidence-based Mathematics curricula, assessments, and learning materials; trained and mentored teachers, student teachers, and youth leaders; and contributed to nationally recognised research on early number sense development.

As a founder and director of a youth-focused non-profit organisation (Transformerz), I have provided strategic leadership, programme design, volunteer management, and community engagement, consistently delivering high-impact educational initiatives that serve diverse and often under-resourced communities.

I work as a Mathematics Education Specialist, designing and delivering targeted Mathematics interventions for Grades 4–9 learners. I develop customised curricula, learning resources, and assessment strategies aligned to learner needs, and work closely with parents to improve learner confidence, mathematical thinking, and attitudes towards Mathematics. My work integrates evidence-based pedagogy, learner-centred approaches, and trauma-informed support to drive meaningful and sustained improvement in learner outcomes.