Who is James Hopkins?
"Thinking things that have never been thought to solve problems that are yet to emerge."
I am a dynamic, highly reflective and creative professional with an unrivalled passion and desire for quality life-long learning and development of student agency and leadership. I strive to create a purposeful learning environment regardless of decile, promoting ownership of the direction of learning and enjoyment within the process with strong partnerships between home and the community. I believe students and teachers should be exposed to purposeful experiences with real and visible outcomes.
My greatest internal drivers are a strong passion for change through shared visioning, whānau engagement, and empowerment at all levels. Whether learner agency or leader agency, facilitating depth of understanding and continued progressive practice are at the very heart of my pedagogy, building student-directed learning powered culture. Looking to the future, I would like to embrace and deepen my understanding of leadership through the undertaking of a Masters in Education Leadership and continuation of my journey in supporting leaders. The need to establish cohesive and collaborative practice at all levels of school and cluster remains a genuine driver for personal learning and development.
As a thought leader, I underpin my personal pedagogy with the FiSH philosophy and deep understanding of creating sustainability within change. I build relationships on positivity, presence and listening. I strive to foster a creative and passionate work environment in which colleagues and learners are unafraid to take risks and fail forwards. I model shifts in the locus of control, showing that learning must be a journey with students, facilitating their skills and guiding rather than leading. Mentorship and critical reflection are skills I value highly within my colleagues and I support their development from the outset. The first place we must seek understanding is within ourselves.
My greatest internal drivers are a strong passion for change through shared visioning, whānau engagement, and empowerment at all levels. Whether learner agency or leader agency, facilitating depth of understanding and continued progressive practice are at the very heart of my pedagogy, building student-directed learning powered culture. Looking to the future, I would like to embrace and deepen my understanding of leadership through the undertaking of a Masters in Education Leadership and continuation of my journey in supporting leaders. The need to establish cohesive and collaborative practice at all levels of school and cluster remains a genuine driver for personal learning and development.
As a thought leader, I underpin my personal pedagogy with the FiSH philosophy and deep understanding of creating sustainability within change. I build relationships on positivity, presence and listening. I strive to foster a creative and passionate work environment in which colleagues and learners are unafraid to take risks and fail forwards. I model shifts in the locus of control, showing that learning must be a journey with students, facilitating their skills and guiding rather than leading. Mentorship and critical reflection are skills I value highly within my colleagues and I support their development from the outset. The first place we must seek understanding is within ourselves.
As a professional and senior leader, I have proven leadership capabilities and the skills to liaise with agnecies across multiple sectors. I have extensive experience in dealing with a range of government agencies and organisations both within and outside of the education sector. I am looking for an exciting new challenge where my growing skills can be mentored, developed and extended. I am passionate about the role of digital technology as an enabler within education and have been a curriculum leader in this and other areas. I have been an e-learning specialist teacher, boy's literacy specialist and professional facilitator in these areas, creating purposeful innovative learning environments school wide. I have delivered extensive Professional Development across a wide variety of learning areas, to a number of audiences. My leadership role has focused on planning for the needs of the learners, providing access, equity, and empowering students towards their lifelong learning journey.
Pedagogy and sound practice underpin my leadership and learning. Connecting with others, redefining practice and continually questioning the journey means my pedagogy is forward thinking and purposeful. I simply want to give back to education... From students to peers, everyone has the right to continue their journey. How can I help you with yours...?
Pedagogy and sound practice underpin my leadership and learning. Connecting with others, redefining practice and continually questioning the journey means my pedagogy is forward thinking and purposeful. I simply want to give back to education... From students to peers, everyone has the right to continue their journey. How can I help you with yours...?
This short clip is a cartoon I made as an application for an eFellowship. It shares my pedagogy and beliefs around Modern Learning practice and discusses an Inquiry around finding the elements that cement effective it.