Jonathan is a Teacher Developmental Educator with over 10 years of combined experience across the education and disability sectors. He is the founder of Artemis Disability Services. Artemis was established to bridge the gaps between individuals’ developmental goals in their home, at their school, and in the communities they belong to. Through person-centered, neuro-affirming practice and collaboration we can ensure consistency of supports and promote the development of optimal growth trajectories.

In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys gardening, photography, and traveling with his wife and son. The most powerful experience to enhance deep understandings of childhood is parenthood. It is a combination of formal education, extensive classroom teaching experiences, and parenthood that has allowed Jonathan to become a highly effective practitioner in supporting children to thrive through evidence-informed practice.

Artemis Origins

Jonathan began his engagement with the education sector in 2010 in the field of Outdoor Education taking youth bushwalking. It was during these years that he came to understand the deep healing, resilience building, and cognitive stimulation that could be facilitated by engaging closely with nature. Although digital technology is critically important, especially through the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems, he witnessed first hand the negative “withdrawal” symptoms participants displayed when first leaving their homes and heading to remote locations without phone or internet connectivity for recreation or social purposes. He also noticed how quickly participants’ feelings could be shifted through facilitating a sense of wonder in our natural world. These experiences ultimately led Jonathan to engage in deep exploration of the concept of nature connectedness which became integrated with his professional practice.

When Jonathan decided it was important to “put down roots” in Adelaide, he began studying a double degree in Disability Studies and Primary Education (R-7 and Special Education) in 2015. As part of these studies, Jonathan spent time overseas learning from the team at SMARTER in Brunei. SMARTER is a family support organisation that delivers wholistic supports and education to individuals living with autism across their entire lifespan. These continuous and seamless supports are delivered with close family involvement. It was during this time that Jonathan saw the immense benefit of bringing family support practices and education strategies closer together to facilitate optimal developmental trajectories for neuro-divergent individuals. Jonathan graduated as a recipient of multiple Chancellor’s Letters of Commendation and won both the Educators SA Outstanding Graduate Award and the Flinders University Medal for Excellence in Beginning Teaching.

After graduating, Jonathan pursued full-time teaching at a local Primary School in a Special Options Class. He spent the ensuing years honing his skillset as a classroom educator whilst supporting his mainstream colleagues to implement inclusive education strategies and School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support systems. He delivered intervention programs to both special options and mainstream students and furthered meaningful social inclusion for those he taught. At all times, Jonathan found great satisfaction in challenging the status-quo and encouraging innovative, evidence-based inclusive practices. Jonathan was a presenter at the 2020 Australian Association of Special Education National Conference where he shared his work in the inclusive literacy education space.

In 2023, Jonathan began to conceptualise Artemis Disability Services, a wholistic Developmental Education provider delivering high quality services underpinned by his experiences in outdoor education, international disability service provision, and the education sector. Jonathan ceased full-time teaching in 2024 and Artemis was born. He remains a registered and casually practicing teacher to ensure ongoing connection with the education sector.

Why Artemis?

In ancient Greek mythology, Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo, played a multifaceted role. Revered as the goddess of hunting, nature, and chastity, she also held a significant position in childbirth and child-rearing. She assisted her mother during the labor and delivery of her twin brother, Apollo, solidifying her reputation as a goddess of childbirth and earning her the title of the divine midwife. Her presence brought comfort and reassurance, creating a serene atmosphere for Apollo’s birth. This selfless act demonstrated Artemis’ loyalty and profound connection to her family.

Artemis represents key qualities that we seek to display in everything we do as a business. We seek to be bold, to be just, and to offer comfort and reassurance to families, caregivers, and stakeholders that those we work with will flourish in their own way and in their own time. Artemis’ strength, confidence, passion, and sense of justice are also qualities that we seek to instill within the individuals that we support. The stag was sacred to Artemis and is represented in our business logo and branding.