Derek Shafer

Derek joined the University of Waikato with a background as an English Teacher in Secondary Schools in New Zealand. Derek’s work as a classroom specialist in critical thinking, digital literacy and learner-centred pedagogies developed into broader interests working with teachers across New Zealand schools engaging with best practice in critical thinking.

Within Te Wānanga Toi Tangata - Division of Education, Derek develops Secondary Teachers' Evidence-based Practices, Literacy learning across the curriculum, and English Curriculum Learning as part of the Graduate Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma of Teaching programmes. He completed his PhD with the University of Auckland in exploring the impacts of design-based professional development on secondary teachers' perceptions and practices of critical thinking.