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Piers Heaney

In the role of Adult Educator

My interest in adult education grew initially from working in Staff Development.  I began to realise that individuals need knowledge and information in order to adjust their attitudes and beliefs, and consequently, their behaviour.    And then, when there was increasing demand to run workshops about grief for health professionals,  I realised that if I was going to educate others, then I needed to learn how to do it effectively.  At that point it was back to being a student myself to learn about teaching.

I have designed and conducted educational programmes to wide ranging and critical audiences from within both the public and private sectors throughout New Zealand.   These have been for mental health professionals, Government departments, organisational management and staff, volunteers and community support groups.   I have also been a regular lecturer in numerous tertiary institutions, including the University of Otago Medical School. 

A substantial period of employment was as an Educational Facilitator for the Assessment of Prior Learning programme at Otago Polytechnic.   This is a recognised academic process that validates informal and on-the-job learning.  Ultimately this process was developed to incorporate Work-Based Learning.   The challenge then was to manage not only the process and needs of the candidate,  but also those of their employers and of the organisation.

  • I have formulated new material for NZQA certification,

  • delivered NZQA approved material, at a range of Levels

  • and moderated existing NZQA courses.

A true Educator 

locates the intelligence and abilities within another,

drawing them out for all, even the student, to see.  

And then steps out of the way,

allowing them to develop, create and pursue their talent.


L. Ron Hubbard

So

what's so

different

about

teaching

adults?

I have been responsible for managing the introduction, development and delivery of National qualifications for the Industrial and Educational sectors throughout New Zealand, and for creating on-line, self-directed learning resources.   This work also involved the selection, training and management of appropriate Assessors for these qualifications.  

My approach as an Educator is always to do more than simply deliver some interesting information for people.   Rather, I facilitate learning in a way that promotes insight and develops skills, and thus 'develop people potential'.   Initially I analyse specific needs and then tailor a programme to meet this requirement.    My focus, always, is to create a safe learning environment, present creatively, and work interactively to bring about change.   And of course, to make the learning fun.   

Work has involved:

​​

  • Establishing the culture, systems and training to introduce Performance Appraisal for the Dn College of Education for primary school teachers throughout Otago and Southland

  • Desiging and delivering workshops to implement Policy and Procedures (such as The Privacy Act, Health & Safety Requirements, Peer Incident Response Teams) for a diverse clientele that included Prisons & Crown Health Enterprises. 

  • Mentoring new educational facilitators.

  • Introducing Death and Grief Education, Trauma Debriefing and Clinical Supervision within a Crown Health Enterprise. 

  • Developing and delivering training packages on Grief and Crisis Management for rural GPs throughout Otago at a time when hospital services were being centralised.

  • Delivering training packages for individual organisations, the content of which is specific to that organisation.

"It's all about Developing People Potential"

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