Derek Wenmoth – Curriculum Vitae

Derek Wenmoth Curriculum Vitae

Derek is regarded as one of NZ education’s foremost Future Focused thinkers in education.

He works extensively with schools and clusters 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 recognizes individuals making a difference in education.

Derek has been a teacher, principal, teacher educator, distance educator, e-learning specialist and education policy adviser. In 2003 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.

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: http:www.futuremakers.nz/blog

Selected Presentations

Leading in Times of Change – keynotes presentation to the ConnectEd (Hunter Valley Principals) and Australian Catholic Schools Principals conferences, Hunter Valley, May 2025
Pushing the Boundaries of Educational Possibility – keynote presentation at the annual ULearn conference, October 2023, Auckland NZ
Leading Change in a Time of Change – presentation at the Aurora Institute Annual Symposium, Palm Springs. October 2023
When Learners Lead – Keynote presentation at the Jefferson County Public Schools Deeper Learning Conference, August 2023, Kentucky
Deep Learning in Challenging Times – presentation at the New Pedagogies for Deeper Learning (NPDL) conference, April, 2023, Anaheim CA
“Imagine if… the future?” Keynote presentation at The 2022 Principals’ Conference and Business Day, 11 and 12 October, 2022 – Brisbane Conference and Exhibition Centre
Building Resilient Schools – keynote presentation PPTA Leadership Summit 2022, Christchurch NZ
Designing a Hybrid Future – Keynote presentation at Life Education Trust annual conference, Christchurch NZ, July 2022
Ko wai au? (Who am I?) – presentation at Institute for Personalised Learning: Summer 2022 Convening: The Power of Human Connection, Wisconsin, 21-22 June, 2022
Future Focused Learning – presentation to the Qatar Foundation 6th Annual Teaching & Learning Forum, October 2021
Deep and Long – the keys to Future Focused Learning – mini keynote to the Deeper Learning Symposium, Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky, USA, October 2021
Agency by Design: Making Learning Happen – workshop presentation to the Aurora Institute Symposium, October, 2021
Future Focused Schools – keynote to the Association of Independent Schools conference, Wellington NZ, July 2021
Future Focused Flexible Education – keynote presentation, FLANZ conference, Wellington NZ, April 2021
Empowering Schools to Facilitate Teacher Agency – presentation to the Taranaki APDP association, November, 2020

Access all of Derek’s keynote and workshop presentations here – https://www.slideshare.net/dwenmoth

Awards and Scholarships

2018 – Life Membership, Flexible Learning Association of NZ (FLANZ)
2008 – Edutopia’s Global Six Award (George Lucas Foundation) for an international educator making a difference in education, special recognition for work in the area of distance education.
2001 – Peter Brice Award (Pacific Circle Consortium) In recognition for achievements in fostering inter-cultural understanding.
1993 – Ian Stewart Memorial Award (Christchurch College of Education) – For innovation and leadership in distance education.

Selected Publications

Wenmoth, D; Jones, M; Edwards, G; Thompson, A (2023) Agency By Design: An Educator’s Playbook Vienna, VA: Aurora Institute. (available online: https://aurora-institute.org/resource/agency-by-design-an-educators-playbook/)
Avery, L., Jones, M., Marr, S., & Wenmoth, D. (2021). Mere engagement: Reflections about connections between online learning, student agency, and student engagement. Vienna, VA: Aurora Institute. (available online: https://bit.ly/3lQfAyP)
Wenmoth, D (2016) “Networked Learning” in “Leadership for Communities of Learning: Five Think Pieces” (Paper commissioned by the Education Council – available online: http://bit.ly/2u1ipo3/).
Wenmoth, D (2013) “Digital Alignment Strategy”, prepared for the Canterbury Regional Ministry of Education
Barbour, M & Wenmoth, D (2011) “Virtual Learning as an Impetuous for Educational Change: Charting A Way Forward for Learning in New Zealand.
Wenmoth, D (2010) “The future’s not what it used to be.” in Ham, V and Wenmoth, D (eds) (2010) eLearnings: implementing a national strategy for ICT in education, 1998 – 2010. CORE Education, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Wenmoth, D., & Coogan, P. (2008). “Tomorrow’s web for our future learning” in Langley, J. (Ed) Tomorrow’s Schools 20 years on. Cognition Institute.
Wenmoth, D., & Eckstein, J. (2008). Educational Technologies in New Zealand. In M. Orey, T. Amiel, J. McClendon, & M. K. Barbour (Eds.), The world almanac of educational technologies.

Thought Pieces

Derek has also written a number of thought pieces on a range of topics that are available on the FutureMakers website: https://futuremakers.nz/thought-pieces/

What others say

The Learning Environments Australasia Executive Committee has received a lot of positive feedback, which is greatly due to your wealth of knowledge and information you imparted on our large audience, your presentation has inspired a range of educators, architects and facility planners and for this we are grateful.

Daniel Smith Chair Learning Environments Australasia

Derek and Maurie complement each other well and have the same drive and passion for a future education system that is so worthwhile being part of. Their presentation and facilitation is at the same time friendly and personal while still incredibly professional. I am truly grateful to have had this experience alongside amazing passionate educators and am inspired to re visit all aspects of my leadership. I have a renewed passion for our work as educational leaders.

Karyn Gray Principal, Raphael House Rudolf Steiner

I was in desperate need of a programme like this. This gave me the opportunity to participate in a transformative journey of professional learning and wellbeing, where I rediscovered my passion, reignited my purpose, and reconnected with my vision for leading in education. Together, we got to nurture not just academic excellence, but also the holistic wellbeing of our school communities. Because when we thrive, so does the entire educational ecosystem.

Tara Quinney Principal, St Peter's College, Gore

Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus is the perfect title for this professional development. It does just that. A fantastic retreat, space to think, relax and start to reconnect. Derek and Maurie deliver a balance of knowledge and questioning that gives you time to think about your leadership and where to next. Both facilitators have the experience, understanding, connection and passion for education, this has inspired me to really look at the why for me!

Jan McDonald Principal, Birkdale North School

Engaged, passionate, well informed facilitators who seamlessly worked together to deliver and outstanding programme of thought provoking leadership learning.

Dyane Stokes Principal, Paparoa Street School

A useful and timely call to action. A great chance to slow down, reflect on what really drives you, and refocus on how to get there. Wonderful conversations, great connections, positive pathways forward.

Ursula Cunningham Principal, Amesbury School

RRR is a standout for quality professional learning for Principals. Having been an education PLD junkie for 40 years I have never before attended a programme that has challenged me as much because of its rigor, has satisfied me as much because of its depth or excited me as much because of realising my capacity to lead change. Derek and Maurie are truly inspiring pedagogical, authentic leadership experts who generously and expertly share their passion, wisdom and skills to help Principal's to focus on what is important in schools and be the best leader they can be.

Cindy Sullivan Principal, Kaipara College

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

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

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

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

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

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, Otaki College