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Meet the team

Our creative team brings a wealth of experience from all around the world,
with the shared passion of improving outcomes for all children.

Ingrid
Ingrid ConnorsFounder & Chief Executive Officer
Ingrid ConnorsFounder & Chief Executive Officer

As a phonics expert, founder, and educationalist, my mission is to enhance children’s reading skills worldwide, accelerate their progress in literacy, and promote equitable access to education. I initially started my career in research as an audiological scientist before discovering my true calling in education and transitioning to teaching. Over the course of 20 years, I taught across the primary age range in the UK and internationally, specialising in phonics, language learning, and dyslexia.

Driven by a passion for improving educational outcomes, I researched and developed the Monster Phonics system, which I implemented in schools. This system focuses on making learning more accessible, accelerating progress, and bringing phonics to life. Through my research, I identified key stumbling blocks to learning to read and developed a solution that empowers both educators and children. Recognised at the outset by the BETT Show as one of the top 20 most innovative global ideas, the Monster Phonics programme was later validated by the Department for Education and recently won the GESS Primary Resource of the Year.

My motivation to develop Monster Phonics stems from personal experiences in my own childhood. A shift in circumstances ignited a lifelong ambition to improve life chances for others. As a teacher, I was keen to focus on children as individuals, teaching to all learning styles and unlocking potential while fostering engagement and joy in their learning experiences. Monster Phonics was born from this vision, aiming to create a successful and enjoyable learning journey for every child.

Ian
Ian ConnorsChief Operating Officer
Ian ConnorsChief Operating Officer

With over 25 years of experience in primary education as a teacher and headteacher, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some brilliant professionals in the UK and internationally. My tenure as Director of Education for one of the largest primary-focused Multi-Academy Trusts in the country afforded me an invaluable insight across a whole system of schools. I am passionate about working with Monster Phonics schools to elevate reading and spelling outcomes for all learners. Being part of such a dynamic, passionate, creative, and energetic team is a very rewarding experience.

Team
Sara Robayo SarmientoHead of Operations
Sara Robayo SarmientoHead of Operations

Hi Everybody 🙂 I am Sara, and I have a background in Economics and International Business in Madrid.

I joined this fantastic team in May 2020, I am amazed at the excitement and enthusiasm of children learning phonics. I did not know how important phonics is in children’s life. I did not get into reading until I was 14, and since then, I have found another world, I enjoyed reading so much now.

I love all the monsters; however, my favourite monsters are cool blue and Miss Oh No because he is a DJ and she loves dancing like me.

More than 232 years of teaching experience

Our diverse team are based all around the world

Team
Toni EvansHead of UK Sales and Development
Toni EvansHead of UK Sales and Development

Most of my time is spent talking to schools about our amazing programmes and sharing my passion about phonics, Spelling and Literacy.

I trained as a primary school teacher and taught for theover 20 years. My specialism was in Early years but I also have experience of teaching all year groups from year R to year 6. I was also a middle leader and ECT mentor in the village school that I worked in, my subject leads included literacy co-ordinator, phonics lead and also reading and volunteer readers co-ordinator. I taught using Monster Phonics in the school I was working in for the last 4 years of my teaching career and it was amazing to see the children so excited about phonics, as well as the fantastic progress in our phonics results!!!

team
Kathryn TilburyHead of Training and Schools Success Manager
Kathryn TilburyHead of Training and Schools Success Manager

I joined the Monster Phonics team in September 2022 having retired from a 26 year long career as a teacher and senior leader. The last 20 of those years were in Early Years and I have been both an Advanced Skills Teacher and Specialist Leader of Education for Early Years and phonics.

The roles I have had in school have enabled me to develop a wealth of skills, expertise and knowledge, which I can bring to supporting and training schools in delivering effective phonics teaching and learning with Monster Phonics. I have always been passionate about providing the best education and making learning fun and accessible for all children.

Amanda LawesHead of Marketing
Amanda LawesHead of Marketing

I’m super excited to be the Head of Marketing at Monster Phonics! The sense of mission within the team is truly inspiring, and I’m eager to contribute in every way I can.

I began my career in consumer marketing, working with some prestigious corporate brands, before spending over a decade working in primary schools—as both a teaching assistant and a teacher. I can’t wait to bring together my experiences from the classroom and the marketing world to support our core mission: helping as many children as possible learn to read through our enhanced phonics approach.

I draw inspiration from the world around me—family, friends, pets, and my interests. I’m a big fan of Tim Burton and Studio Ghibli films, which fuel my love of storytelling and creativity.

Jo Benge Finance Manager
Jo Benge Finance Manager

I joined the Monster Phonics team in July 2022 bringing over 25 years experience within a range of roles across the finance function of various organisations. After graduating with a degree in Accounting and Finance I spent some time as a dancer at a holiday resort before starting a role in accounts payable.  Gaining more experience in a broad range of businesses, including retail, IT, energy, education, manufacturing and transport I qualified with CIMA and went on to become Finance Manager.

Passionate about being part of this great Monster Phonics team I enjoy working somewhere that has a purpose: learning to read is such a key skill so it’s great to be part of an organisation that helps children achieve this. When I’m not working I can be found coaching gymnastics to children at a local club or playing Mum’s taxi for my children.

Brahim ArrabDistribution Leader
Brahim ArrabDistribution Leader

Hello! My name is Brahim Arrab. I am native to North Africa, the lovely Morocco! I was born and raised in the Atlas Mountains, but graduated from Marrakech University, majoring in Sociology and Psychology. I am a former hotel manager, with 6 years experience in tourism

In 2013, I met my lovely wife and soon settled in the UK in 2016. I am now a father to two bright boys and there is nothing I love more than spending quality time with my family, whether that’s cycling through forests or playing football in the garden.

I have been working for Monster Phonics since January 2022 as a Distribution leader, and it’s been an exciting journey so far! The team is fantastic with kind and friendly staff. The books that we sell are a real hit with my own children and my eldest has aced his Phonics with the aid of the characters from the books. Thank you Monster Phonics!

Matt ParkesWebsite Developer
Matt ParkesWebsite Developer

Hello! My name is Matt and I’m a web developer with over 10 years experience in UX/UI and web development. Over the years I’ve built everything from CMS driven responsive websites and web applications, to e-commerce stores and custom API integrations.

Since joining the team, I’ve helped Monster Phonic’s to modernise, streamline and upgrade their internal systems and applications. In addition to rebuilding the eBooks platform and launching Superhero Spelling. We are constantly striving to upgrade and make improvements to the platform and currently have lots of other exciting projects in the pipeline.

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Lauren PhillibanGraphic Designer
Lauren PhillibanGraphic Designer

Hi everyone, I’m Lauren and I have recently joined the Monster Phonics team as a Graphic Designer!

I have recently graduated from the University of Surrey with a BA (Hons) First Class Degree in Graphic Design. I love anything creative including painting, baking and interior design. I have a huge passion for writing and illustrating and I have recently completed my first Children’s book which is set to be published very soon! I am also an avid horse rider and I have been lucky to grow up and work around animals all my life.

I am very excited to be a part of this team and proud to be making a difference to children’s lives & learning!

Hanna StechenkoIllustrator
Hanna StechenkoIllustrator

I started to illustrate Monster Phonics books in 2019 just after I’d completed a course in commercial and children’s illustration in Odessa, Ukraine. I was keen to try my new skills in practice. The Monsters captivated me and became my favorite project! Each story is sweet and funny, it takes me back to my childhood, it fills me with warmth and a sense of security. Our country has been going through difficult times since 2014, there is a war and bad news. Monster Phonics has become a lifeline for me, my psychological support.

I am very grateful to everyone who created this.

Becky Elkin Product Development Manager
Becky Elkin Product Development Manager

I’ve journeyed from the film and digital media scene to the heart of education and now have over 10 rewarding years of teaching experience as a Primary School and swimming teacher after gaining my first-class honours degree in Primary Education from the University of Winchester.

I’m passionate about creating educational experiences that make a lasting impact.

Rhian RogersHead of Sales, Wales
Rhian RogersHead of Sales, Wales

As an experienced classroom teacher with leadership expertise for improving standards in literacy, I am excited to spread the word and bring Monster Phonics into schools in Wales. I am hugely impressed with its systematic progression, colour-coding system, easy-to-teach lessons, aligned reading scheme and training programme for teachers…..and don’t forget the cute monsters!

Look out for me and my monster friends in a school near you soon!

Hannah RudlingHead of International Development
Hannah RudlingHead of International Development
I have 15 years of teaching experience from Preschool to Year 6 in a diverse range of settings. I began my career in Suffolk, before moving to a large inner city school in London. After 5 years of teaching in the UK, I set my sights on exploring the world, which led me to my next position at Garden International School, Malaysia. This forward thinking and dynamic working environment helped ignite my passion for innovation and CPD as a middle leader. For the past 6 years, I have been based in the UAE, progressing from Head of Year to Deputy Principal in a rapidly expanding school. Moving from Key Stage Two to Early Years was one of the greatest challenges of my career but I am truly grateful for the opportunity. I have a new found love of Early Years and incredible work which is carried out with the youngest children in our schools.
My new role as Head of International Development grew from an organic partnership. Whilst working as a school leader implementing Monster Phonics, I was keen to provide feedback and develop the approach to greater meet the needs of international school children. Having seen the positive impact of Monster Phonics on student achievement, I now find myself in the dream position where I get to support schools from the other side! As I am based in the UAE, my primary focus is on supporting schools within the GCC: developing networks of teachers, providing high quality CPD in phonics, early reading and intervention.
I am passionate about developing people and helping children to flourish. Improving levels of literacy is one of the greatest indicators of future academic success; too often children are failed in this. Monster Phonics aims to make a change and I am delighted to be a part of this wonderful team doing it!

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