The Wanago team

Meet the Wanago team

Kameka Button, Program Manager

Kameka Button joined the Wanago Program in 2023 as Administration Coordinator and stepped into the Program Manager role in 2025. She completed a Certificate III in Business Administration in 2020, and has 5+ years of experience working in the finance and education sectors. Kameka is also studying a Bachelor of Primary Education at Curtin University, with a focus on STEM skills in early education. She is passionate about connecting students with the resources they need to succeed, and is very excited to be working with the Wanago team.

Melinda Blake, Head Teacher

Mel graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of New South Wales in 2015, specialising in machine condition monitoring and space systems. She also holds a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) from Macquarie University. 

Mel joined the Wanago Program as an Engineering Studies teacher in April 2023. During her experience in the independent sector, Mel taught a range of subjects including Mathematics Extension 2 and Applied STEM, and draws deeply on her cross-curricular knowledge in her teaching practice. Alongside classroom teaching, Mel has developed a number of extra-curricular STEM programs that provide students with hands-on opportunities with robotics and programming. 

Mel has been a volunteer with FIRST Robotics since 2009. She currently serves as the Australian Head Judge for the FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge programs. 

Mel is also a qualified History teacher and has completed a Master of Ancient History at Macquarie University. 

James Newall, Wanago Lead Teacher

UTS Wanago Lead Teacher, James Newall has over 15 years teaching experience and is certified with ISTAA Experienced Teacher accreditation and NESA proficient teacher status. James has commercial experience as a design and development manager having produced and patented products for commercial manufacturing, winning several design awards. Currently, James teaches NESA Stage 6 Engineering Studies syllabus to classes of Year 11 and 12 high students enrolled in the Wanago program.

The facilitation of this course will include a combination of self-paced and live webinar sessions. Participants will complete 4 hours of work per week, with 2 hours allocated to the live sessions. During the live sessions, James will present subject content with tutorials. There will be opportunities for participants to collaborate in ‘breakout’ rooms to develop subject knowledge and skills.

Carina Gleeson, Wanago Teacher 

Carina Gleeson graduated with a Bachelor of Media in Screen Production from Macquarie University in 2007 and a Masters of Teaching from the University of New South Wales in 2017. Carina draws upon her professional technology industry experience in streaming media and software engineering when speaking about workplace trends and the soft skills needed for technology careers.

Carina joined the Wanago Program in 2022, initially as a Software Engineering teacher, before planning and coordinating the commencement of the first class of Industrial Technology: Multimedia in 2023.

Carina has taught many technology and design-focused subjects in high schools. She served as a Board Member for the ICT Educators NSW teaching association, contributing to professional learning for STEM teachers. Carina also contributed to the development of the new Stage 6 Software Engineering and Enterprise Computing courses with NESA.

Carina was awarded “Outstanding Beginning Teacher” for 2021 by the Professional Teachers Council (NSW).

Karly Pandelios, Wanago Teacher 

Karly graduated from ACU with a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching, specialising in Computing and Literature. She also completed a Graduate Certificate in Career Education and Development at RMIT. 

Karly joined the Wanago Program in 2021, as a Software Design and Development teacher. She has over 13 years of experience in secondary education, teaching Computing subjects. She is currently teaching Information Processes & Technology and Enterprise Computing at UTS. 

Karly’s relevant leadership experience includes the role of relieving Head Teacher in Computing Studies and in Technological & Applied Studies faculties. She was also appointed as a Technology Mentor to teachers in schools. Karly has coordinated robotics championships, computing clubs, and other whole-school STEM initiatives.

Karly is passionate about providing enriching and engaging life-long learning opportunities for students. Her mission is to increase STEM workforce engagement, support students to connect their Wanago studies to future pathways and to facilitate personal growth. 

Devendra Reddy, Wanago Teacher

Devendra graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Education (Technology).

Devendra has 34 years of experience in effective teaching and promotion of TAS subjects in public schools. He has facilitated professional learning to staff to achieve ongoing improvement in student engagement and retention in senior school. In the process, Devendra has lead teams in the development of differentiation in teaching programs, assessments, marking guidelines, and examinations catering to range of learners.

Devendra’s ability to network with stakeholders and strengthen industry partnerships has enabled School to Work Programs, community partnerships, and career pathways. His wealth of experience and knowledge is utilised when engaged in HSC marking, HSC exam writing and standards setting. He also coordinates skills workshops and networking for new teachers to build teacher capacity. These experiences have led to improvements in student engagement, student retention, and students’ level of achievement.

Felicity Trajkovski, Wanago Teacher

Felicity graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology in Business Information Systems. For ten years, Felicity worked for Oracle Consulting Services as a Business Solution Architect on Software Applications Implementation Projects.

Felicity completed a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) and a Graduate Certificate of Religious Education at Australian Catholic University. Felicity’s teaching experience includes Information Processes and Technology, Software Design and Development, Information and Software Technology, Design and Technology, and Technology Mandatory, including the Digital Technologies Curriculum.

As a Stage 6 Software Design and Development teacher, Felicity wants to see more representation in technology subjects in NSW high schools with more gender diversity and inclusivity. Felicity hopes her passionate representation and industry experience speaks to both students and teachers as she advocates for STEM education, endeavours to lift participation rates, and inspires confidence among students and staff through this program.