Suzi
Gould

Qualifications

• Diploma in Psychology & Counselling - Current study
• Executive and Organisational Coaching Certificate, International Coaching Federation (ICF)
• Certificate in Career Counselling - Career Academy
• Life Coaching ANZCAL Certification and membership
• Supervision Skills for Health and Social Service professionals – NZQA level 5
• Te Hapūtanga o Te Reo – NZ Certificate in Te Reo (Rumaki) Level 4 and 5 – Te Wananga o Aotearoa
• Diploma of Web Design – Natcoll Teacher Scholarship
• Bachelor of Education – University of Waikato
• Diploma of Teaching – Christchurch College of Education

Professional experience

Suzi is a highly skilled coach, facilitator, and project lead with over two decades of experience in creating effective learning opportunities for diverse groups. As a lead facilitator and team coach, she guides groups through strategic initiatives from planning to implementation, fostering collaboration and empowerment. She is known for helping individuals and teams work more strategically, moving from lists of jobs to implementing action plans which:

• align with organisational values and/or your values
• encourage ownership and equity, gaining consensus through co-design
• establish mutually agreed goals; then plan and implement effective improvement programmes.

Known for her warm personality and ability to bring humour to challenging situations, Suzi creates a safe space for clients to be themselves, embrace their culture and explore new possibilities. .Suzi's clients describe her as an authentic, growth-focused, and a charismatic kaiārahi (guide). Whether working with individuals, teams, or organisations, Suzi is a trusted partner in unlocking potential, improving performance and wellbeing and creating lasting, positive change.

Her current interests lie in coaching and mentoring, well-being, cultural capability, student-led innovation and the role of agency through these kaupapa. Suzi is a New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience accredited facilitator and can work with schools and teams to develop whole-school wellbeing programmes.

Expertise

Suzi has expertise in the following areas:

Localised curriculum design

Successfully supporting learning communities to:

• review your local curriculum to ensure it reflects treaty partnerships, is future focused and meets the needs of your akonga and their whānau
• partner with mana whenua and the community to determine ‘what matters here, for whom’ and aspirations of all (vision and values)
• implement the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum as it is released, including the Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories content
• develop coherent pathways of learning across the learning community
• design an inclusive local curriculum with a focus on place based, authentic, inclusive learning opportunities.

Culturally responsive and bicultural practice

Suzi is an accredited culturally responsive facilitator who has worked alongside schools and learning communities to develop marau-ā-kura, embrace the principles of treaty partnership and reflect local history, and te reo and tikanga within English medium curricula.

Change leadership

Suzi has experience and expertise working with leadership teams to establish priority projects and area(s) of focus. She uses a strength based approach to encourage shifts in thinking and practise and helps to identify and celebrate successes through coaching and mentoring.

Mentoring and coaching

Suzi has been coaching and mentoring for many years, both within education and business contexts and within the He Waka Unua mentoring programme, supporting leaders and educators. Her clients describe her as non-judgmental, motivating, genuine and kind. She is known for helping people to not just think about the what, but the how and why of things – moving from lists of jobs and to-do lists into considering how your actions can:

• align with your values
• encourage ownership and gain consensus through co-design
• establish mutually agreed goals; then plan and implement effective improvement programmes.

Assessment for learning

Successfully supported schools and learning communities to:

• learn new ways of partnering to strengthen evidence-based local assessment practices and develop assessment capable learners who are the owners of their assessment information
• collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources to rethink and redefine success for all learners
• build coherence across the learning community and develop evaluative capability
• ensure that assessment is culturally responsive and provides equitable outcomes. 

Personal statement

My passion lies in fostering collaborative learning communities where I can work alongside educators and leaders to co-design effective approaches to growth and development. There's nothing more rewarding than witnessing those "a-ha" moments when individuals gain new insights and understanding. By fostering a positive and engaging atmosphere, we can inspire learners of all ages to embrace their curiosity, take risks, and discover their own paths to success. Together, we can create a culture of continuous learning and improvement, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.