Derek is regarded as one of NZ’s foremost Future Focused thinkers in education.
Introducing Derek Wenmoth
Derek works extensively with educators across all areas of the education sector as they seek to prepare students for their future. He also consults with policy makers and government agencies regarding the future directions of NZ educational policy and practice. In recognition of his work, Derek was designated one of 2008’s “Global Six” by the George Lucas Educational Foundation that recognises individuals making a difference in education.
What I do…
Educational policy advice
Strategic planning
Capability development
Project or programme review and evaluation
Open, distance and flexible learning design and policy
Areas of expertise
Teacher professional development
Initial teacher education
Distance and online learning
Instructional design
Integration of digital technologies for learning
More about Derek…
Derek has been a teacher, principal, teacher educator, distance educator, e-learning specialist and education policy adviser. In 2013 he co-founded CORE Education, a not-for-profit education research and development organisation based in Christchurch, New Zealand, a position he stepped aside from in 2017 to allow a new generation of leaders to take the reigns, and to enable him to pursue his interest in developing FutureMakers.
He is married with five children and six grandchildren, and is passionately committed to finding ways though education to help build a more positive future for the planet and the people on it.
Read Derek’s Curriculum Vitae here
Derek is regularly invited to speak at conferences both nationally and internationally, and maintains a blog on matters relating to education and the future and that can be found here: https://www.futuremakers.nz/blog
What others say about Derek
Derek Wenmoth is brilliant. Derek connects powerful ideas forecasting the future of learning to re-imagine education and create resources for future-focused practices and policies to drive change. His work provides guidance and tools for shifting to new learning ecosystems through innovations with a focus on purpose, equity, learner agency, and lifelong learning. His work is comprehensive and brings together research and best practices to advance the future of teaching and learning. His passion, commitment to innovation for equity and the range of practical, policy and strategic advice are exceptional.
Susan Patrick, CEO, Aurora Institute
Our Principal PLG has worked with Derek several times now, and will continue to do so. Derek is essentially a master facilitator/mentor…bringing the right level of challenge, new ideas & research to deepen your thinking, but it comes with the level of support needed to feel engaged, enriched and empowered after working with him.
Gareth Sinton, Principal, Douglas Park School
What a task we set Derek – to facilitate a shared vision and strategy with our Board and the professional and admin teams (14 of us), during a Covid lockdown, using online technology. Derek’s expertise, skilled questioning, strategic facilitation and humour enabled us to work with creative energy for 6 hours using a range of well-timed online activities. He kept us focussed on creating and achieving a shared understanding of our future strategic plan. Derek’s future focussed skills combined with an understanding of strategy and the education sector made our follow up conversations invaluable. Furthermore, we will definitely look to engage Derek for future strategic planning work.
Sue Vaealiki, Chair of Stonefields Collaborative Trust
Derek is a highly knowledgeable and inspirational professional learning provider that has been guiding our staff in the development of New Pedagogies’ for Deep Learning. His ability to gauge where staff are at and use this to guide next steps has been critical in seeing staff buy into this processes and have a strong desire to build in their professional practice.
Andy Fraser | Principal |Ōtaki College
Derek has supported, informed and inspired a core group of our teachers to be effective leads in our college for NPDL. Derek’s PLD is expertly targeted to our needs.
Marion Lumley | Deputy Principal |Ōtaki College
I asked Derek to work with our teachers to reenergise our team back into our journey towards our vision after the two years of being in and out of ‘Covid-ness’. Teachers reported positively about the day with Derek, commenting on how affirmed they felt that our vision is future focused. Teachers expressed excitement with their new learning towards the vision, and I’ve noticed a palpable energy since the day. Derek also started preparing our thinking for hybrid learning, helping us all to feel a sense of creativity rather than uncertainty. The leadership team is keen to see him return!
Kate Christie | Principal | Cashmere Ave School