Podcasts + Webinars - The Learner First

Podcasts & Webinars

Balmoral State High School Podcasts

In Episode 9, we’re joined by Deborah Dunstone, CEO of Learner First, for a powerful conversation recorded during our recent Staff PD days. Together, we unpack Authentic Mixed Method Assessment — what it really means, why it matters, and how it can transform student engagement when done well. Deborah challenges us to think beyond traditional assessment models and instead design learning experiences that are rigorous, relevant and genuinely learner-centred. With a clear focus on how we continue to drive engagement at Balmoral and create meaningful opportunities for every student, this episode is both practical and thought-provoking. If you’re passionate about pushing education forward and ensuring assessment works for students — not just on them — this one’s for you.

This engaging and thought-provoking webinar, led by Joanne McEachen, explores how Contributive Learning—a framework that emphasizes personal growth through meaningful contribution—can transform everyday learning experiences.

Resources shared during the webinar:

Self-Understanding Learning Progression

Identity (Self Understanding Dimension) Objectives

Identity: Ideas for staff, students, and community

These resources along with some others are available on the “contributions” page of our website as well.

Join host Ty Van Der Meulen in a powerful conversation with Deborah Dunstone, a transformative leader in education and innovation, as we explore her inspiring journey from the classroom to executive leadership. In this episode of Discover Your Potential, Deb opens up about her early career, her role as a changemaker in Australian education, and the global impact of her work with The Learner First. Discover how Deb has shaped policy, empowered educators, and championed student-centered learning. With a deep passion for equity, inclusion, and lifelong learning, she shares key insights on what it takes to lead with authenticity, drive systems change, and stay grounded in purpose. Whether you’re an aspiring leader, educator, or lifelong learner, this episode offers a masterclass in visionary leadership and the power of staying curious.

Education Champions is an inspiring talk show that shines a spotlight on educators and leaders who are making a difference in the world of education. Each episode delves into the stories of these passionate individuals and organizations, focusing on their commitment to improving education for students, schools, and communities. In Late February 2025, hosts, Mike White and Sarah Schaefer spoke with Beth Hamilton, Executive Director at The Learner First.

Dive into the transformative concept of contributive learning this week with The Learner First founder, Joanne McEachen. She chats with hosts Jerri Kemble & Jamie Saponaro from Class Link on their podcast: LinkedUp: Breaking Boundaries in Education.

The Power of Self-Understanding

A webinar hosted by Gaggle

A positive learning environment impacts academic knowledge and helps students navigate the complexities of their everyday lives. In this informative webinar, TLF Founder, Joanne McEachen along with Gaggle Therapy Manager, Kelly Kigar, discuss the importance of fostering inclusivity and resilience in the classroom and the opportunities that exist when this environment is brought to life.

Download The Power of Self Understanding resource, created by The Learner First, which has some starter questions and activities for classroom teachers to integrate Self-Understanding into their classrooms.

The Learner First CEO Deb Dunstone chats with hosts Jerri Kemble & Jamie Saponaro from Class Link on their podcast: LinkedUp: Breaking Boundaries in Education about Student Agency.

In this special 3-part series of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Joanne McEachen, CEO and Founder of The Learner First, to figure out the nuts and bolts of voice, agency, and advocacy. Joanne (Waitaha, Ngāti Māmoe, and Ngāi Tahu) is a celebrated author, speaker, change leader, and executive coach. Her 30+ years of experience span time as a teacher, principal, Ministry of Education leader in New Zealand, and now a globally recognized pioneer in the fields of educational assessment and well-being.

In this webinar recording, education expert Joanne McEachen collaborated with renowned psychologist, Dr. Lisa Strohman to introduce the four pillars of connection and provide you with valuable tips for growing in each area. The presenters draw on experiences and share real-life examples and strategies that you can apply in context.

Whether you’re a teacher, counselor, school leader, or anyone seeking to strengthen these areas—this session will help you pause, reflect, and plan for the future. You’ll leave with actionable ideas to strengthen your well-being, help you recharge over the summer, and prepare you to begin the following school year ready to create a more cohesive environment.

Download a PDF companion resource for the webinar with actionable ideas: Connections: Application and Ideas for Adults

There has been a very strong press for networks as catalyzers, incubators, and supports to engender the development of new schools, transformation of schools, and agents of change in our educational ecosystem. Come hear three leading educational leaders talk about the power of networks in driving and supporting educational opportunity and visions for educators and communities around the world.

In this conversation in 2020, The Learner First Founder, Joanne McEachen, joins Tom Vander Ark, Justin Aglio, and Chris Unger discuss the role of networks and innovation in education in Episode 6 of The Revolution of Education Podcast.

Contributive Learning: Redefining the Future

November 2020

The purpose of education is to learn about who you are, how you fit into the world and how you can contribute to humanity. Real equity then, will only ever be achieved when we redefine what success looks like, for ourselves, our communities and our world.

Joanne Speaks with Patrick Fisher, Principal at Meramec Elementary about the importance of the competencies which make up their Profile of a Clayton Graduate.

“In Joanne’s current work, she provides ways to redefine what success looks like, recognizing that we learn best through meaningful, contributive learning that helps everyone shine and succeed in their way. Take a few minutes to check out our conversation as we dig into her work around the world and how it relates to our work as a school district.” – Patrick Fisher, Principal

In today’s episode, we are joined by Joanne McEachen who has been leading education reform in New Zealand and the United States for the past couple of decades. What you may not know about Jojo, is that she is Maori on her mother’s side of the family. Jojo describes how her Maori ancestry has influenced her as an educator. She also describes to us the Maori way of learning.

SEL Global Leadership Series

July 2020: Season 1, Episode 5 Joanne McEachen: The Depthvale Detectives and the Great Education Crisis: A Guide to Contributive Learning in Schools

In this Podcast, Joanne introduces us to her new book The Depthvale Detectives. She recounts how this book is a reflection on the evolution of her thinking on system and school change.

Joanne has been leading system and school change for decades, first in her homeland New Zealand where she was responsible for school improvement in the Ministry of Education, and more recently as a co-founder of New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL) and also as CEO of The Learner First. While Joanne’s book was written prior to the pandemic, she reflects on why its messages and methodologies are even more relevant in today’s changed world.

Collateral Damage- Your Kids or Mine?

June 18, 2013: TEDx at Eastside Prep (Washington state)

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

Originally from New Zealand, Joanne works with school systems to affect change. Large-scale change can overwhelm, but Joanne works to elevate the conversation above the politics and the trivial details. She has led national education change initiatives by focusing on the most important outcomes and the fundamental values driving the change, regardless of the obstacles. Articulate and persuasive, whatever project she has worked on ultimately equated to success for students. In addition to her national level work at the New Zealand Ministry of Education, Joanne has on the ground experience as a school principal and a superintendent.

Getting Smarter Podcast: Joanne McEachen on Contributive Learning

In support of the Getting Smart Podcast’s “difference-making” focus, The Learner First’s Joanne McEachen sat down with Getting Smart CEO Tom Vander Ark for a conversation on her new book, The Depthvale Detectives and the Great Education Crisis: A Guide to Contributive Learning in Schools.

Contributive Learning: The Link Between Success and Well-Being

We experience the greatest sense of meaning and fulfilment when we’re able to contribute to people’s lives and the world. We contribute to the greatest extent when we know who we are, feel connected, and pair knowledge with competency. When schools integrate academic and social-emotional learning, students learn how to add to the world in their way—and there’s no other way to success and well-being. Join Joanne to explore how you and your learners can contribute to people, planet and prosperity.

A Curriculum for Contribution to Humanity with Joanne McEachen

In this episode of The Learning Future Podcast, Louka speaks with Joanne McEachen about our roles as educators, leaders and parents to consider who we are, how we fit into the world, and how we contribute to humanity? We speak about self-knowledge, contributive curriculum and the role of new assessments and activate agency.

“When we’re talking about equity, we have to redefine success. Because meaning and fulfillment is the new wealth, and contribution is the only way to earn it.”

—Joanne McEachen, CEO, The Learner First

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of educating the whole child and ensuring that their social and emotional needs are met through their learning. In response to educators’ growing needs in the area of SEL instruction, and to increasing social justice and equity concerns globally, Salzburg Global Seminar has released an online program on “Social and Emotional Learning & Social Justice,” a four-part series focused on SEL, inclusive pedagogies, and assessment.

In part four of the series, The Learner First CEO Joanne McEachen joins with Jennifer Groff (Qatar Foundation), Jacob Sherson (University of Aarhaus), and moderator Dominic Regester (Salzburg Global Seminar) to unpack SEL assessment strategies and their implementation in schools.

In this episode David Vroonland, Executive Director of L.E.A.R.N speaks with Joanne McEachen, former Ministry of Education Leader in New Zealand, author, and founder/CEO of The Learner First organization, about authentic student learning experiences, with a special focus on Contributive Learning.

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.