Deirdre McCracken
Deirdre is an education consultant based in Christchurch. She works with schools in the following areas:
science and chemistry education
leading change using strategic planning and systems management
mentoring and coaching school leaders and leadership teams
student-centred leadership
collaborative inquiry into teaching and learning
culturally responsive pedagogies
innovative learning environments
practice analysis conversations – observation for learning
assessment for learning pedagogy in teaching and leadership
self-regulation strategies
student achievement data analysis, including effect size shifts
evaluative capability and data analysis
curriculum review to promote an integrated curriculum Innovative learning environments.
She has experience and expertise in facilitating professional learning and development with leaders and teachers in secondary schools. Prior to this role she held a position as head of the science faculty in a large secondary school, specialising in leading science and chemistry.
Deirdre is one of the go-to people around developing the role of the secondary middle leader. She has actively developed her skills through the completion of masters level papers specifically linked to key aspects of her work, achieving a postgraduate diploma in Educational Leadership. She has spent considerable time developing her expertise in learning conversations and interpersonal effectiveness through role-play, practice analysis and literature reviews.
She has a sound theoretical knowledge of and practical skills in all areas of effective pedagogy. Her facilitation strengths include listening and responding in ways that support the change process, challenging thinking and nurturing leadership and teaching growth. She models best practice and the use of research-based and evidence-informed decision making. Practising what she preaches is important to her.
In her spare time Deirdre volunteers at her sports clubs, supports her children’s sporting, academic and career endeavours, works alongside her husband on home improvements and takes his hand as they begin their overseas travel.
Here are some of the schools Deirdre has worked with recently:
Ashburton College
Darfield High School
Hornby High school
Kaikoura High School
Motueka High School
Rangi Ruru Girls School
Twizel Area School
Waimate High School
Waitaki Boys’ High School