NEXT Foundation Announces New Education Investment
NEXT Foundation has announced a new investment, in The Education Hub – a resource for teachers that bridges the gap
between university research and the professional practice of New Zealand teachers.
NEXT CEO Bill Kermode said the Hub is strongly aligned with NEXT’s focus on teacher excellence, and its support for
evidence based work in education.
“We have followed the development of The Education Hub with interest for more than 2 years” he said, “and we are
delighted to be able to add to the initial funding support the Hub received from The Fletcher Trust and the Aotearoa
Foundation.”
The Education Hub was founded by academic and former teacher Dr Nina Hood, and offers an online resource to provide up
to date information on the latest educational research and to share innovative teaching practice.
“The Education Hub is a transformational educational initiative supporting New Zealand’s teachers. Research shows that
teachers have the biggest impact on improving a child’s educational outcomes – so this investment is all about New
Zealand children,” Mr Kermode said.
Dr Hood said she was thrilled with the NEXT investment following on from Fletcher and Aotearoa.
“We have ambitious plans for what The Education Hub can become and how it can contribute to a better New Zealand. NEXT’s
support will enable us to work with and reach more teachers and schools across New Zealand, to provide them with ready
access to the research knowledge and innovative practice that exists across our education system”.
NEXT is also supporting The Education Hub in a new award being offered to teachers and schools to support the
school-based design and implementation of innovative educational projects.
The Bright Spots Awards are worth up to $75,000 over a two-year period. Up to four awards will be available in the first
round of funding.
“The Bright Spots Awards give teachers both time and expert support to create, trial, develop, and evaluate an
innovative practice, and then to share or scale it up across other schools. This sharing of effective practice will
bring big benefits to New Zealand teachers and schools – and will ultimately benefit our students,” Dr Hood said.
Mr Kermode said The Bright Spot Awards are another opportunity for NEXT to support and disseminate examples of
excellence in the professional practice of teachers in New Zealand education.
To view a three-minute video on The Education Hub:
ENDS