Home - The Learner First

We empower leaders,
teachers, and students

Wherever you are in your
school-improvement journey, we can
help guide the way with processes, tools,
and actionable evidence to break
through the noise to what's best
for your students.

Joanne McEachen

Waitaha, Ngāti Māmoe, and Ngāi Tahu

Founder, The Learner First

“The purpose of education is to learn to contribute—not in a specific or standardized way, but in personally relevant, purposeful ways unique to individuals’ interests and goals.”

Joanne McEachen, Founder

From fostering deep learning to evaluating what truly matters, our approach doesn’t just enhance academic results; it fundamentally improves student engagement and changes lives. Our method revolves around a strengths-based approach, measuring not only academic but also social outcomes.

Executive Coaching and Professional Learning Centered on Strengthening Students’ Outcomes

We use our proven processes, resources, and tools, customized to meet your needs to enhance student outcomes and fundamentally improve student engagement and change lives.

Connect with Us

Partner with The Learner First

We provide custom coaching and professional development built around proven processes and measurement tools.

Executive Coaching

Collaboration between TLF and school/district leadership to unpack assumptions, foster the right culture, and refine pedagogy to meet the diverse needs of all students. This includes strategy sessions, collaborative planning, consultation sessions, data analysis, learning walks, and more.

Workshop Facilitation

Comprehensive professional learning experiences facilitated by trained, experienced education practitioners.

Resources and Tools

Workshop materials for participants to guide each session of learning, including reflection tools, design guides, learning progressions, rubrics, and ideas for implementation.

Data Reports and Analysis

Access to data collected and analyzed by the TLF team to track and report progress. Evidence and research from workshops are shared and used to inform next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you mean by Contributive Learning?

Are you a curriculum provider?

Why Contribute?

Contributive Learning develops self-understanding, connection, knowledge, and competency.

When these come together, we add to the world. And that leads to meaning, fulfillment, and well-being.

Reach out today to learn more or get started!

Develop self-understanding.
Cultivate knowledge.
Foster competency.
Make connections.

Don’t bring down—lift people up.
Don’t subtract—add to the world.

Learn to contribute, in your way, every day.