Who is Jocelyn?
I am passionate about this wonderful planet and all living things. I have worked for social justice, human rights and our planet’s future for as long as I can remember. Giving time and energy to one’s community was part of what we did as a family, and is something I value highly.
I was a secondary school teacher for 25 years both in NZ and the UK, teaching mainly Social Studies, Geography and English. I became increasingly focussed on Education for Sustainability(EfS) or sustainable education, during the early 2000s. The interactive, more experiential and democratic approach excited me and I could see that my students were more engaged in their learning.
While at Christchurch Girls’ High School I developed, in partnership with a colleague, a Level 2 NCEA course called ‘Sustainable Futures’. Whilst facilitating that course it became obvious that achievement standards more appropriate for such a student centred approach were necessary. From 2003 until 2008 I was one of a team developing Education for Sustainability Achievement Standards - these are available at Level 2 and 3 NCEA.
I have also represented Canterbury Geography Teachers on the NZ Board of Geography Teachers, and was Board rep. during the development of the new NZ Curriculum, 2003-5. I held a RSNZ Teacher Fellowship in 2005, investigating urban sustainability, and was co-Deputy Director at Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti School 2006-7.
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Currently I work 3 days a week at Environment Canterbury, our regional council as an educator and Youth Engagement Advisor. Outside of those work hours I undertake short-term projects under the trading name Sustain-Ed.
I am also on various community and educational committees. I was President of the Mt Pleasant Memorial Community Centre and Residents' Association (2011-2014) and currently remain on the committee. From October 2011 until March 2016 I served as a community representative on the CERA Community Forum, tasked with advising the Minister for Earthquake Recovery on community perspectives. In 2017 my partner and I traveled by bike across Europe, the UK and part of Canada, exploring a number of sustainability projects along the way.
Short biography
Hometown: Whanganui
Current residence: Otautahi-Christchurch, Aotearoa-New Zealand
Education: BA (Hons) Geography, Massey University; Teachers' College Diploma (Distinction), Christchurch College of Education. Teacher Registration: 141631
Interests: Local & global politics, tramping, cycling, reading, singing, organic gardening, cooking & sharing good food with friends.
