FUTUREMAKERS

Inspiring the next generation of leaders, thinkers and

Our mission

problem solvers

Derek Wenmoth

The tyranny 0f

New on the blog

Desire

April 10, 2024

The tyranny 0f THE

New on the blog

URGENT

April 5, 2024

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We empower educators, educational organisations, and communities to embrace future-focused education.

Preparing the next generation to solve complex global challenges requires a transformation of current teaching practices, policies, and ideologies. Working with you, we can design transformative learning programs, implement future-focused projects, and develop strategies that equip your young people to thrive in a changing world. Our extensive resources are always available to support you on your journey of change.

Blog posts

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Articles to get you thinking

Pedagogy

The Tyranny of Desire

April 10, 2024

Don’t get seduced by the next shiny thing, because you’ll get caught up chasing shiny things and that will keep you from addressing what you really need to accomplish. Joe...

Learning Ecosystems

The Tyranny of the Urgent

April 5, 2024

“Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important” Charles E. Hummel, the author of “Tyranny of the Urgent” A visiting academic from the US who is...

Learning Ecosystems

Developing System Leadership

March 30, 2024

Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus is the perfect title for this professional development. It does just that. A fantastic retreat, space to think, relax and start to reconnect. Participant feedback Last week...

How we can help

Strategic Planning Support

We work with leaders, educators and Boards of Trustees on their strategic planning to move their future-focused aspirations from vision to reality.

Thought Leadership

Derek is regarded as one of NZ education’s foremost Future Focused thinkers. He has been at the fore-front of trends and developments in education for more than 30 years.

Customised professional learning & development

We work alongside principals and teachers to design programmes of professional learning that are suited to their particular needs and context.

Friction Free Platform for Change

Simple tools, game changing outcomes! Friction-free transformations succeed by unleashing the ingenuity of teachers by embracing experimentation.

Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus

Thought pieces

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Thought leadership papers to support you

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Roadblocks and Drivers

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This paper provides an analysis of the responses received through submissions to an online survey posted on the FutureMakers website in early 2023. An initial attempt to design a survey featuring questions with multi-choice responses was abandoned in preference of a simple survey asking two open ended questions about change in education: The dataset reveals […]

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Empty Seats

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A toolkit for strategic resilience planning REVISED VERSION AVAILABLE – after several requests from and conversations with educators following the release of the original paper in January 2023, I have revised the document to include the topic of extreme weather events and natural disasters as another area to be considered as we plan strategically to […]

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Being Resilient: Characteristics of Resilient Schools

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This paper provides guidance for school leaders as they seek to work with their staff and communities to design the systems, structures and processes required to ensure they are able to continue providing high quality learning experiences for their students in the wake of any disruption they experience, be that short or long-term, impacting all […]

Explore our resources by topic

Learner agency has been integral to education’s evolution, enabling independent thought to drive autonomous action, shaping modern educational practices.

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Learner Agency

Pedagogy is a cornerstone of education, empowering individuals with the ability to act independently and make informed choices about their learning journey.

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Pedagogy

At both the school and system levels, effective leadership is paramount in driving positive change, fostering a culture of excellence, and empowering educators to inspire students, navigate challenges, and shape the future of education.

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Education Leadership

In an increasingly digital age where technology permeates every aspect of society, placing emphasis on digital technologies in education is crucial to equip students with the skills and competencies needed to thrive in a technology-driven world, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and global connectivity.

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Digital

Learning ecosystems represent intricate webs of interconnected organizations, individuals, communities, and resources, underscoring the holistic approach required to cultivate lifelong learning, innovation, and sustainable development by leveraging synergies and fostering collaborative partnerships across diverse stakeholders.

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Learning Ecosystems

Educational transformation transcends mere improvement, as it entails a profound shift in mindsets, practices, and structures, fostering innovation, equity, and adaptability to meet the evolving needs of learners and society, thereby laying the foundation for systemic change and sustainable progress in education.

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Educational Transformation

Open, flexible, and distance education serves as a cornerstone of modern education, offering learners the freedom to access quality educational opportunities regardless of geographical constraints, schedules, or personal circumstances, thereby democratizing learning and promoting lifelong education for all.

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Open, Distance & Flexible Education

Pedagogy is a cornerstone of education, empowering individuals with the ability to act independently and make informed choices about their learning journey.

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Learning Environments

In a rapidly evolving world where the needs and demands of society are constantly shifting, it is imperative that we explore new measures of success in schools to ensure we are adequately preparing students not just for traditional academic achievement, but also for the complexities of modern life, including adaptability, creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.

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New Measures of Success

The concept of curriculum encompasses a dynamic interplay between a national framework that sets overarching goals and standards and a localized approach that allows for adaptation to diverse contexts, emphasizing the collaborative co-construction of learning experiences by both educators and students to ensure relevance, engagement, and meaningful learning outcomes.

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Curriculum

Please get in touch to discuss your plans. FutureMakers is an approved provider of Ministry-funded, regionally allocated professional development (RAPLD). Search for Derek Wenmoth on the MoE website’s provider list when making an application.

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What others say

Derek and Maurie complement each other well and have the same drive and passion for a future education system that is so worthwhile being part of. Their presentation and facilitation is at the same time friendly and personal while still incredibly professional. I am truly grateful to have had this experience alongside amazing passionate educators and am inspired to re visit all aspects of my leadership. I have a renewed passion for our work as educational leaders.

Karyn Gray Principal, Raphael House Rudolf Steiner

I was in desperate need of a programme like this. This gave me the opportunity to participate in a transformative journey of professional learning and wellbeing, where I rediscovered my passion, reignited my purpose, and reconnected with my vision for leading in education. Together, we got to nurture not just academic excellence, but also the holistic wellbeing of our school communities. Because when we thrive, so does the entire educational ecosystem.

Tara Quinney Principal, St Peter's College, Gore

Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus is the perfect title for this professional development. It does just that. A fantastic retreat, space to think, relax and start to reconnect. Derek and Maurie deliver a balance of knowledge and questioning that gives you time to think about your leadership and where to next. Both facilitators have the experience, understanding, connection and passion for education, this has inspired me to really look at the why for me!

Jan McDonald Principal, Birkdale North School

Engaged, passionate, well informed facilitators who seamlessly worked together to deliver and outstanding programme of thought provoking leadership learning.

Dyane Stokes Principal, Paparoa Street School

A useful and timely call to action. A great chance to slow down, reflect on what really drives you, and refocus on how to get there. Wonderful conversations, great connections, positive pathways forward.

Ursula Cunningham Principal, Amesbury School

RRR is a standout for quality professional learning for Principals. Having been an education PLD junkie for 40 years I have never before attended a programme that has challenged me as much because of its rigor, has satisfied me as much because of its depth or excited me as much because of realising my capacity to lead change. Derek and Maurie are truly inspiring pedagogical, authentic leadership experts who generously and expertly share their passion, wisdom and skills to help Principal's to focus on what is important in schools and be the best leader they can be.

Cindy Sullivan Principal, Kaipara College

Derek Wenmoth is brilliant. Derek connects powerful ideas forecasting the future of learning to re-imagine education and create resources for future-focused practices and policies to drive change. His work provides guidance and tools for shifting to new learning ecosystems through innovations with a focus on purpose, equity, learner agency, and lifelong learning. His work is comprehensive and brings together research and best practices to advance the future of teaching and learning. His passion, commitment to innovation for equity and the range of practical, policy and strategic advice are exceptional.

Susan Patrick, CEO, Aurora Institute

I asked Derek to work with our teachers to reenergise our team back into our journey towards our vision after the two years of being in and out of 'Covid-ness'. Teachers reported positively about the day with Derek, commenting on how affirmed they felt that our vision is future focused. Teachers expressed excitement with their new learning towards the vision, and I've noticed a palpable energy since the day. Derek also started preparing our thinking for hybrid learning, helping us all to feel a sense of creativity rather than uncertainty. The leadership team is keen to see him return!

Kate Christie | Principal | Cashmere Ave School

Derek has supported, informed and inspired a core group of our teachers to be effective leads in our college for NPDL. Derek’s PLD is expertly targeted to our needs.

Marion Lumley | Deputy Principal |Ōtaki College

What a task we set Derek - to facilitate a shared vision and strategy with our Board and the professional and admin teams (14 of us), during a Covid lockdown, using online technology. Derek’s expertise, skilled questioning, strategic facilitation and humour enabled us to work with creative energy for 6 hours using a range of well-timed online activities. He kept us focussed on creating and achieving a shared understanding of our future strategic plan. Derek’s future focussed skills combined with an understanding of strategy and the education sector made our follow up conversations invaluable. Furthermore, we will definitely look to engage Derek for future strategic planning work.

Sue Vaealiki, Chair of Stonefields Collaborative Trust

Our Principal PLG has worked with Derek several times now, and will continue to do so. Derek is essentially a master facilitator/mentor...bringing the right level of challenge, new ideas & research to deepen your thinking, but it comes with the level of support needed to feel engaged, enriched and empowered after working with him.

Gareth Sinton, Principal, Douglas Park School

Derek is a highly knowledgeable and inspirational professional learning provider that has been guiding our staff in the development of New Pedagogies’ for Deep Learning. His ability to gauge where staff are at and use this to guide next steps has been critical in seeing staff buy into this processes and have a strong desire to build in their professional practice.

Andy Fraser, Principal, Otaki College

Inspiring the next generation of leaders, thinkers and

problem solvers

The tyranny 0f

Desire

The tyranny 0f THE

URGENT

Agency by

Design

Blog posts

Articles to get you thinking

The Tyranny of Desire

The Tyranny of the Urgent

Developing System Leadership

Services | Ratonga

How we can help

Strategic Planning Support

Thought Leadership

Customised professional learning & development

Friction Free Platform for Change

Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus

Thought pieces

Thought leadership papers to support you

Roadblocks and Drivers

Empty Seats

Being Resilient: Characteristics of Resilient Schools

Resources | Rauemi

Explore our resources by topic

Learner Agency

Pedagogy

Education Leadership

Digital

Learning Ecosystems

Educational Transformation

Open, Distance & Flexible Education

Learning Environments

New Measures of Success

Curriculum