Annette
Thomson

Qualifications

2022 Masters of Education first class honours University of Waikato
2019 Certificate in Te Reo Māori Ara Institute of Technology
1995 Diploma for Graduates Theatre Studies University of Otago
1990 Diploma in teaching University of Canterbury
1988 Bachelor of Arts University of Canterbury

Professional profile

Annette has extensive experience in a variety of kura including leadership roles as Head of Department or sole charge, and with developing curriculum strategies. She is committed to contributing to the development of arts education in Aotearoa.

Annette is President of the National Drama Subject Association and has developed resources and workshops, including in Dramatic Inquiry; a pedagogy used cross curricular and through all educational sectors. She is interested in pedagogy which supports cross curricular inquiry learning.

Annette has experience working with Provisionally Certified Teachers both as a HOD and with her work with Drama NZ and the University of Canterbury. She recently completed her Master's Degree in education with a thesis examining drama pedagogy in new build spaces. A previous master's paper resulted in a Chapter in “Pedagogy and Partnerships in innovative Learning Environments, 2021”. This has given Annette insights into working in quality learning environments and effective pedagogy employed in these spaces.

Annette is experienced with NCEA and developing courses with both technology and 21st Century learning in mind.

Areas of expertise

Leadership

• leading at a school level as well as a Regional and National level with subject association teams
• working and communicating within a team, collaboration and understanding of co- governance model.

The Arts and NCEA Arts, extensive knowledge 

• in building Arts programmes including cross curricular and extra curricular in kura
• of subject association mahi and links between subjects to advocate for learnings.

Literacy and Communication, understanding of

• literacy strategies that can be incorporated into programmes with all levels and subject areas
• the importance of communication skills as part of education.

Modern Learning Environments, understanding

• of Pedagogy that supports a 21st Century approach to learning
• the needs of Arts teachers in a modern learning environment.

Hauora – Wellbeing

• understanding of the principles of positive psychology and ways of building Hauora into school systems and classrooms
• the creation of safe spaces and development of relationship building in the classroom. 

 Professional body membership

• Drama New Zealand
• Teachers Council as a registered teacher

Publications

• Thomson, A. (2022). Voice, body, movement, ‘space’: Perspectives and pedagogical endeavours of three New Zealand secondary drama teachers in their new build spaces (Masters, University of Waikato). Hamilton, New Zealand. https://hdl.handle.net/10289/15004
• 2021: Coleman, C., & Thomson, A. (2021). No drama: Making do and modern learning in the performing arts. In N. Wright & E. Khoo (Eds.), Pedagogy and partnerships in innovative learning environments: Case studies from New Zealand contexts (pp. 97-120). Springer Singapore

Conferences/Presentations

• 2021 Drama NZ conference: two workshops on a) Space and b) Theatre Form
• 2019: NZARE conference: Quality learning environments
• 2019: National Wellbeing and Resilience Conference – co presenter

Awards/Fellowships/ Scholarships

• Teach NZ award

Personal statement

I am a passionate educator and have a particular interest in the arts as part of holistic education for learners. I continue to be curious about the linking of life stories and learnings to build on my present understandings. I am interested in how we can build capability in classrooms and kura to foster positive relationships that are connected, collaborative and creative so that learning is meaningful and supported for all.