Role

Jo works as a lecturer for the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) programme. Alongside teaching students in the programme, she also visits them in their home centres and on practicum to further support their learning, while also carrying out her own research.

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Education Background

Jo’s career in education began in 2004. She has taught both children and student teachers in early childhood and primary settings, facilitated professional development and undertaken research. At Massey University, she was responsible for teaching and programme development for initial teacher education programmes across ECE and Primary. She joined Te Rito Maioha in 2021.

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Research Background

Jo’s passion for the visual arts and creativity in teaching is reflected in the doctoral research she is currently undertaking, exploring the way children make meaning through creating, making and responding to art installations as well supporting ECE teachers’ art making practices. Other areas of research interest include transitions from ECE to primary, gifted and inclusive education.

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Teaching Interests

As a teacher, lecturer and leader, Jo brings a commitment to building whanaungatanga through genuine and respectful relationships with learners, whānau, tauira, colleagues and the wider community, so she can support and respond to their individual needs.

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Recent Publications

Dean, J. & Delaune, A. (2019). Supporting young gifted children through transitioning from early childhood education to school. He Kupu, 6(1), 19-25.

Margrain, V., Murphy, C., & Dean, J. (Eds.). (2015). Giftedness in the early years: Informing, Learning and Teaching. Wellington: NZCER Press.

Dean, J. (2011). A profile portraying a contemporary gifted young child. APEX, 16(1). Retrieved online from http://www.giftedchildren.org.nz/apex/

Dean, J. (2011). Textiles can stimulate children’s creativity and imagination. ANZAAE, 21(2). Retrieved online from http://www.arteducatorsJournal2011 vol. 21 (2) ANZAAE