Teacher by day,
builder after hours.
I'm Daniel Southam — a primary school teacher in the King Country, who spends the quieter hours designing software, including the Teaching Tools linked from the home page. Two disciplines, one habit: doing the work properly and seeing it through.
- Primary Teacher
- Independent Developer
A little more about me
By day I teach in a small rural school, where the work is as much about building confidence and curiosity as it is about literacy and numeracy. I care deeply about creating classrooms where children feel they belong and believe they're capable.
Outside the classroom, I build. I design and publish Android apps, build free teaching tools like Chalkline, tinker with home automation, and run an online games community. These projects keep me learning — about design, about people, and about seeing an idea through from first sketch to something real that others use.
I am driven with strong goals, and I see the same thread running through everything I do: set a clear direction, sweat the details, and look after the people you're responsible for.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Daniel Southam?
A registered primary school teacher at Piopio Primary School in the King Country, New Zealand, and the independent developer behind Penline, Chalkline and Planline for teachers, and Compass World News, Findaroo and SlashKit under the Southam Apps name.
Where is Daniel Southam based?
The Waikato, New Zealand.
What is Southam Apps?
The name Daniel publishes his apps under: Compass World News, Findaroo and SlashKit. It’s a registered New Zealand business, NZBN 9429053988713.
What is Vaelis Gate?
A family-friendly Minecraft community Daniel runs, with its own custom-built add-on and a Discord. See Vaelis Gate.
Where can I follow Daniel online?
On YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. The Vaelis Gate Discord is for the Minecraft community, and is for people aged 13 and over.
How do I get in touch?
Use the email link at the foot of this page. Every message is read and answered personally.