Mennie Scapens
Mennie Scapens has 20 years’ experience in educational leadership, having co-founded Matahui School, a small independent primary school, near Katikati in 1988. An effective and respected school leader, she helped bring out the best in the teachers she worked with, working collaboratively with them and the wider school community to develop and work towards a clear vision for the school. Mennie has a deep admiration and respect for teachers and the work that they do, and a life-long passion for education.
Mennie's passion for learning about learning meant that Matahui School became a school at the leading edge in New Zealand, renowned for its approach to the multiple intelligences (Howard Gardner, 1983) and learning dispositions (Costa & Kallick), with an associated focus on developing children’s creativity, their problem-solving skills, and their emotional intelligence. The school regularly hosted visiting teachers and student teachers, and Mennie was regularly asked to provide workshops for teachers and parents in the local education community and university.
She retired as principal in 2005 to undertake an action research project for her Master of Education, which involved working collaboratively with a group of secondary school teachers who were trying to implement student-centred teaching practices based on MI Theory in their classrooms. The results of this project became a published book in in 2008 - Conflicting Beliefs: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences in the Junior Secondary School.
Mennie is also passionate about her own inner work, understanding that her commitment to taking time-out of a busy calendar each year to go on personal retreat has deepened her self-understanding and helped sustain her passion and commitment towards helping create a more compassionate and healthy world.
With her husband Bill, Mennie has a wide background in business. Over the past 35 years they have been involved together in successful horticulture and tourism ventures, and currently in the installation of underground infrastructure. Mennie brings to this arena her experience and strengths in strategic planning, organisational, financial and personnel management.
Today Mennie designs and leads leadership development programs, teacher renewal retreats, and programs for personal development. She is passionate about helping people uncover and grow their unique talents and dreams, and discovering personal pathways to living and leading authentic lives.
She is a facilitator prepared by the Center for Courage & Renewal in Seattle.
Mennie can be contacted at:
Email: scapens@xtra.co.nz
Ph: 027-686-7449
Mennie's passion for learning about learning meant that Matahui School became a school at the leading edge in New Zealand, renowned for its approach to the multiple intelligences (Howard Gardner, 1983) and learning dispositions (Costa & Kallick), with an associated focus on developing children’s creativity, their problem-solving skills, and their emotional intelligence. The school regularly hosted visiting teachers and student teachers, and Mennie was regularly asked to provide workshops for teachers and parents in the local education community and university.
She retired as principal in 2005 to undertake an action research project for her Master of Education, which involved working collaboratively with a group of secondary school teachers who were trying to implement student-centred teaching practices based on MI Theory in their classrooms. The results of this project became a published book in in 2008 - Conflicting Beliefs: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences in the Junior Secondary School.
Mennie is also passionate about her own inner work, understanding that her commitment to taking time-out of a busy calendar each year to go on personal retreat has deepened her self-understanding and helped sustain her passion and commitment towards helping create a more compassionate and healthy world.
With her husband Bill, Mennie has a wide background in business. Over the past 35 years they have been involved together in successful horticulture and tourism ventures, and currently in the installation of underground infrastructure. Mennie brings to this arena her experience and strengths in strategic planning, organisational, financial and personnel management.
Today Mennie designs and leads leadership development programs, teacher renewal retreats, and programs for personal development. She is passionate about helping people uncover and grow their unique talents and dreams, and discovering personal pathways to living and leading authentic lives.
She is a facilitator prepared by the Center for Courage & Renewal in Seattle.
Mennie can be contacted at:
Email: scapens@xtra.co.nz
Ph: 027-686-7449
