Dedicated. Dynamic.
WORK EXPERIENCE
& QUALIFICATIONS:
Jonny Thompson
Educator
Phone:
Email:
Receiving the 2023 Ākina Tohu Award
for innovation in educational delivery.
Work Experience:
Life Education
Y0 - Y8 Primary School Teacher
+ Regional Facilitator (Senior/Lead Teacher)
New Zealand, Full-Time
January 2023 - Current
Waikanae School
Y5/6 Primary Teacher
New Zealand, Full-Time
January 2021 - December 2022
Raumati Beach School
Y5/6 Primary Teacher
New Zealand, Full-Time
July 2020 - December 2020
Stamford American International School
Grade 4 Elementary Teacher
Singapore, Full-Time
July 2016 - June 2019
Khandallah School
Y5/6 Primary Teacher
New Zealand, Full-Time
January 2014 - June 2016
Weta Digital
Vertex Digital
Post-Production Assistant (VFX)
Production Manager
Video Editor
New Zealand, Full-Time
2005 - 2011
​Summary of role:
-
Life Education is New Zealand's leading provider of social, personal and health education.
-
Entrusted with my own, high-value mobile classroom, purpose-built with immersive, multi-sensory technology and custom resources to enhance learning outcomes. I use this space to teach approximately 5,000 students p/year.
-
Recognised for a highly energetic and engaging teaching style that captures attention and fosters trust within minutes — a vital skill for classroom behaviour when working across multiple age levels and cultural contexts. Reputation supported by abundant positive feedback from teachers and students.
-
Plan alongside 30+ primary/intermediate schools (Year 0 - Year 8) to create developmentally appropriate, curriculum-aligned lessons addressing resilience, empathy, mental health, relationships, online safety and more.
-
Lead professional development as the Lower North Island Educators’ Facilitator (Senior/Lead Teacher).
-
Develop and share numerous teaching resources to colleagues.
-
Build and maintain an online presence, primarily through video ('Harold TV').​
-
Recognised with the 2023 Ākina Tohu Award for innovation in educational delivery.
​Summary of role:
-
Taught the breadth of the New Zealand curriculum to Y5/6.
-
Initiated and led 'Waikanae School TV', a regular school news video bulletin featuring student anchors.
-
Initiated and taught an advanced writing course for gifted senior student writers. This included helming an interschool writing competition, judged by local authors.
​Summary of role:
-
Temporary cover of Y5/6 primary classroom for the second-half of the academic year (previous teacher re-stationed elsewhere).​
-
Reintroduction of core-curriculum routine.
-
Introduction of inquiry-based learning.
​
Note:
-
Between July 2019 and June 2020, I was on paternity leave with my first-born.
​Summary of role:
​​
Student Relationships and Differentiation:
-
Known for fostering warm, respectful, and inclusive relationships with students that supported social-emotional and academic development.
-
Created positive classroom culture aligned with whole-school pastoral expectations, where students felt valued and challenged through differentiated instruction and culturally responsive teaching.
-
​Worked closely with grade-level teams and pastoral leaders to support student wellbeing and parent communication.
-
Supported student autonomy and motivation through inquiry-based learning and critical thinking activities.
​
Curriculum and Instruction:
-
Designed and delivered engaging, standards-aligned learning experiences within the IB PYP framework for a diverse, multicultural Grade 4 classroom.
-
Led the co-planning and implementation of transdisciplinary units of inquiry, integrating global contexts, key concepts, and student interests.
-
Contributed to the successful rollout of a revised Science Curriculum in collaboration with the curriculum team - key project = understanding circuitry to create interactive, electronic games (as part of a 'Maker Fair').
Innovation and Technology Integration:
-
Recognized as the "go-to" teacher for technology integration across the Upper Elementary team.
-
Facilitated professional development sessions for teachers on Apple, Google, and SeeSaw tools, as a certified Apple Teacher, Google Educator, and SeeSaw Ambassador.
-
Integrated digital tools purposefully to enhance student reflection, collaboration, and communication - key project = working alongside students to co-create a series of 'Titanic' short films.
Collaboration and Co-Teaching:
-
Collaboratively planned and co-taught with the English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher to ensure equitable access to curriculum for multilingual learners.
-
Worked closely with PYP Coordinator and grade-level team to refine instructional strategies and assessment practices.
-
Actively participated in weekly planning sessions, offering creative input and inquiry-based ideas to enhance team units.
​
Leadership and Professional Growth:
-
Actively sought feedback and mentorship to continually reflect on and improve teaching practice.
-
Regularly contributed innovative ideas and resources to the grade-level team and wider school initiatives.
-
Served as a respected mentor and collaborator within the professional community, known for positivity, reliability, and creativity.
​Summary of role:
-
Taught the breadth of the New Zealand curriculum to Y5/6.​
-
Initiated and led the 'Khandallah School Film and Photography Club', teaching photography and film-making technique, leading to the creation of short films.
-
Key player in the development of practical science projects - including 'Solar Ovens' and 'Biodoversity in our Local Streams'.
​
​Summary of roles:
-
Prior to teaching, I spent several years employed in the New Zealand film industry.
-
I began as a Video Editor, then Production Manager for Vertex Digital (2005 - 2010).
-
I moved to Weta Digital, becoming a Post-Production Assistant (Visual Effects) in 2011 on the Hollywood/Marvel blockbuster, The Avengers.
​
​​Note:
-
Between 2012 and 2013, I returned to full-time study, completing a Master's Degree in Creative Writing (Scriptwriting) in 2012, and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary/Elementary)—equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree—in 2013.
Qualifications:
I'm a lifelong learner. I attend regular professional development conferences and webinars, and love to up-skill.
I'm a certified Apple Teacher, Google Educator, and SeeSaw Ambassador.
Post-Graduate Certificate in Applied Practice - Digital and Collaborative Learning
MindLab, Unitec
New Zealand
2016
Graduate Diploma of Teaching - Primary/Elementary
(equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree)
Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand
2013
Master's Degree in Creative Writing - Scriptwriting
Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand
2012
Bachelor's Degree in Art - Theatre and Film
Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand
2004
Personal Projects:
With a passion for writing, I've completed a handful of published works, including, most-recently, the following:
'Panda and Kiwi' (Kids' TV Show)
Writer of several episodes
'Kapiti News' Newspaper
Writer of regular column, 'Exploring Kapiti'
Co-produced by China and New Zealand.
"A group of endangered animals is captured by a wildlife smuggler, but when their submarine wrecks in a storm, they make a new life on a tropical island."
'Exploring Kapiti' was aimed at families keen to explore the Kapiti, New Zealand outdoors.
