Libby
Gawith

Qualifications

Diploma of Tertiary Learning and Teaching – Ara Institute of Canterbury
Certificate in Tertiary Learning and Teaching – CPIT
Postgraduate Diploma in Community Psychology (3 year professional applied programme) – University of Waikato
Master of Social Science (Community Psychology) (First Class Honours) – University of Waikato

Professional profile

Libby is an experienced tutor, facilitator, trainer and evaluator. She is a highly-experienced educator who has worked within the tertiary education sector, latterly as a programme leader for second chance learners. She is passionate about Māori and Pacific academic achievement and is a respected, innovative and enthusiastic teacher.

Her background is predominantly in adult education, mental health, community psychology and workplace wellbeing initiatives.

Libby trained in Community Psychology which integrates social, cultural, political, and environmental influences to promote positive change, health, and empowerment at individual, community, organisational and systemic levels.

She has been a research co-ordinator and has worked in a research team at the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, London. She is also a two time winner of Canterbury District Health Board quality innovations awards for service evaluation work.

Libby has coordinated and completed numerous collaborative RFPs for NGOs and PHOs including a successful request for proposal (RFP) for 1.2 million dollars for youth mental health positions in Canterbury in November 2020.

She is a caring professional who really likes to build and sustain relationships and get the best out of people and services.

Expertise

• Multi agency collaboration – RFPs and expressions of interest (EOI) applications
• Adult educator and facilitator
• Research and evaluation
• Programme leadership and career coaching
• Staff wellbeing
• Strategic and annual planning

Professional membership

ANZEA: Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation Association
New Zealand Psychological Society

Recent conferences and publications

2020 Enhancing wellbeing and building resilience for NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation Level 3 (NZ2863) learners at Ara Institute of Canterbury. OPSITARA conference, Invercargill.

Personal statement

As an educator, I am committed to building relationships with learners to understand their needs and worlds to work with them to achieve their potential and engage in their learning.

I believe that learners need to feel accepted and valued and have feelings of success in order to stay engaged and prosper in a learning environment.

I am passionate about Māori and Pacific learner achievement and the importance for all learners to see themselves and their culture and stories in what and how they are learning.

I have an ongoing interest in the impact of adverse events on communities and learning.

I have organised and run multiple fundraising initiatives supporting young people to achieve their goals, sports teams, new school playground, playcentre and cultural pursuits.

As a Proposals Coordinator, I value the quality and impact of the mahi of Tātai Aho Rau and want to ensure its ongoing success and financial viability.