Gary Sharpe is a ‘retired’ Learning Skills Tutor in mathematics, who started his career in tertiary education in 1982 at the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT).

His professional journey was driven by a keen interest in numeracy and its challenges, particularly dyscalculia. Gary’s work is recognised worldwide, being part of developing screening tools for dyscalculia and high levels of maths anxiety, along with other tools and resources, including the DysCalculator, an alternative calculator layout and operating system to limit maths challenges. DysCalculator is now used globally and is changing lives for many that are number-challenged. 

Nominator's statement

Gary’s unwavering dedication to numeracy education has transformed the learning experiences of countless ākonga in Aotearoa and beyond. Since beginning his career in tertiary education in 1982, Gary has consistently supported ākonga in developing confidence and competence in numeracy, from foundational to diploma levels.

As a Learning Skills Tutor (Mathematics), Gary has worked with individuals and classes, guiding ākonga through complex mathematical concepts and supporting teaching staff to integrate numeracy effectively into their courses. His curiosity about ākonga performance in numeracy assessments led him to investigate the relationship between day-to-day learning challenges and results from the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool (LNAAT), published in this research report.

Gary’s impact extends beyond the classroom, empowering whānau, colleagues, and the wider community by sharing his expertise and championing inclusive numeracy education. His dedication to creating equitable opportunities has significantly influenced ākonga success and inspired change within the broader education sector in Aotearoa.

Find out more about the Aotearoa Literacy and Numeracy Educator Awards