Accredited Facilitator and Expert Partner specialising in:
-Culturally Responsive Practice
-Inquiry
-Teaching as Inquiry
-Social Cultural Relationship Management
-Research and Evaluation
Meet John
Although my whakapapa is to the North Island (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāi Tūhoe) I was born, raised and attended school in Waimate, South Canterbury. During 25 years in education as a teacher and school principal I taught and led in a variety of education settings; from rural to city, decile 1 to private, intermediates to full primary and Catholic integrated to state schools. I am the Managing Director of Kaha Education and currently lead the implementation of Huakina Mai, provide support to a number of schools and contribute to a range of research and evaluation projects.
You have the power
I am a passionate believer in the power of education and the ability of teachers to make an impact in the lives of the students they teach. There is no quick fix or easy answer, especially for the children that are most challenging, but I believe by working through a process of inquiry as a committed team, whānau and educators greatly improve the likelihood of success.
In challenges lie opportunities
Central to a process of inquiry is the identification of challenges or puzzles of practice. I enjoy working collaboratively, thinking creatively and working from a strengths based perspective to identify opportunities and solutions.
I hope the people I work with see the opportunity to make changes to improve the outcomes for their students as an exciting opportunity. I work alongside people in a learning relationship where together we gather data, identify current practices, set goals and lay out steps to achieve their objectives. Change can be difficult so having an honest and respectful relationship is important. It’s also important that we have some fun and enjoy the process.
Education & Qualifications
University of Canterbury
-Post Graduate Diploma in Education 2016
-Bachelor of Teaching and Learning 2009
-Hoaka Pounamu: Graduate Diploma in Bilingual and Immersion Teaching 2008
Christchurch College of Education
-Diploma of Teaching (Primary) 1989
Publications & Presentations
Savage, C., Tarena, E., Te Hemi, H., & Leonard, J. (2013) Te Tapuae o Rehua: Iwi engagement in Higher Education in Te Waipounamu in F. Cram, H. Phillips, P. Sauni & C. Tuagalu. (Eds.), Māori and Pasifika Higher Education Horizons. H.T. Frierson (Series Ed.), Diversity in Higher Education. New Milford, CT: Emerald Books
Leonard J. (2012) Mā te huruhuru te manu ka rere. Culturally responsive practice in schools. Fellowship report for the Canterbury Primary Principals Association.
Leonard, J. & Tipa, J. (2014) Cultural Responsiveness. Opening keynote at the launch of the North Canterbury Learning Cluster. 10 April, 2014.
Savage, C., Leonard, J., Fickle, L. (2013) Tribal Led Professional Learning and Development. AERA San Francisco.
Leonard, J. (2013). In the heat of the Night. Presentation to the Auckland Primary Principals Association Conference. Waipuna.
Leonard, J. (2013) Culturally Responsive Practice. Invited presentation to the Northland Principals’ Association.
Anderson, M & Leonard, J. (2013) Disruption. Invited Keynote CEFPI Australasian Conference. Auckland
Savage, C. & Leonard, J. (2013) Huakina mai: relational based teaching. Presentation to the Auckland Primary Principals’ Association.
2011 Canterbury Primary Principals’ Association Fellowship
2012 Canterbury Earthquake Award