Joanne McEachen

Joanne McEachen is an internationally recognized education leader, author, and founder of The Learner First. With more than 30 years of experience working across education systems in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, North America, and Europe, she helps schools, communities, and system leaders design learning that develops both individual success and meaningful contribution.

As the creator of Contributive Learning, Joanne integrates Indigenous ways of knowing, relational accountability, wellbeing, and evidence-informed practice to help educators reimagine what learning is for. A proud descendant of Waitaha, Ngāti Māmoe, and Ngāi Tahu, she brings Indigenous wisdom and contemporary educational thinking together to support thriving learners and communities.

Joanne is the author and co-author of influential books including Measuring Human Return, Deep Learning: Engage the World, Change the World, Dive into Deep Learning: Tools for Engagement, and Making the Important Measurable, Not the Measurable Important. Her work continues to inspire educators worldwide to create learning that adds value to life and contributes to a better future.