EPeeps Justin Paul | New Zealand Curriculum Specialist

Tēnā koutou
Ko Te Pae o Kahukura te pae maunga whakaruru
Ko Ōpāwaho te awa whakaora
Ko Ngāti Pākehā te iwi
Ko Surat te waka
Nō Te Tihi-o-Maru ahau
Kei Ōtautahi tōku kainga ināianei
Ko Justin Paul taku ingoa
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēna tātou katoa

 

Tell us a bit about your career!

Many years ago, my ‘working’ life started as I tried to become a professional cricketer. I played for Otago and the NZ under 20 team with many of our greatest players. Stephen Fleming turned down a scholarship to Lord’s so he could go to Teachers’ College, so I took his place. Oh, the irony! I became the teacher. I’m not sure what Stephen ended up doing … 

Thankfully, I wasn’t too old before I realised I wouldn’t make The Big Show. I became an English teacher and taught at a variety of schools here and in the UK for 20 years, including Te Kura and the Southern Health School. As a consequence of those schools, I gained an insight into Te Ao Māori and developed a passion for equity in education, to those who have been underserved by our system.

From schools, I moved into the Ministry of Education and enjoyed two years as an Advisor and then on to EP.

Now tell us a bit about your personal life!

After a misspent youth immersed in cricket, I am quite happy to have little to do with the game these days. I can do other things in summer now. Saying that, I have shares in four children (ROI is questionable at this stage) and my eldest son is showing promise in the game … despite my warnings! Like many English teachers, I am a wannabe writer. I have had several articles and even the odd poem published. I’ve got a project on the go at the moment where I am interviewing some of the most interesting chaps I encountered in my cricket life. I ask them to reflect on their careers and discuss their lives since. I also love film and music. Writing music reviews combined two of my passions. When family permits, I love going out!

What book, movie, music, or podcast has been a big influence on you?

Just one?! Easier to mention favourite authors: Martin Amis, Geoff Dyer, A.A. Gill, Elena Ferrante, Italo Calvino, Robert Hughes, Ted Hughes, Seamus Heaney, J.M. Coetzee, Edward St. Aubyn, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Ali Smith, Rebecca Solnit … at’ll do.

Music – Radiohead, REM, Father John Misty, SAULT, Sharon Van Etten, The National, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Big Thief, Arcade Fire, Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Vampire Weekend, Grizzly Bear, Little Simz, Low, Sleater-Kinney, OutKast, The Roots … you get the picture. Oh and our own Tom Scott from Avantdale Bowling Club is a genius.

Film – I can’t even remember. I loved ‘Power of the Dog’. Almodóvar, Lars von Trier, Iñárritu … Taika Waititi! What a taonga that man is.

What do you look forward to most in your role?

I was attracted to EP by the promise of working in curriculum. I loved working with schools on critical initiatives such as Ka Hikitia (the Māori Education Strategy), the Action Plan for Pacific Education, the NCEA change Programme and NZC Refresh, but I missed the creative side of teaching. And more, the importance of challenging traditional narratives and practices through curriculum. It is well-understood that wellbeing comes from a connection to culture, language and identity. Students need to see themselves reflected in what they learn. I love the Ministry of Education’s commitment to honouring Te Tiriti, so I am thrilled to bring this kaupapa to EP. But there is anxiety out there among teachers. Our Content Team, in partnership with our Contributing Writers – all highly skilled and experienced teachers and experts in their fields – will produce inspirational content that will engage our tamariki and support schools through this period of transition. 

How did you find transitioning from your previous role into an EdTech role?

Quite simply, the pace. I loved my work and especially my team at the MoE but at times, it was a very reactionary role. I’m loving being on the front foot at EP. A great example is our impending Aotearoa NZ Histories release. While we have no interest in releasing anything that lacks research and cultural competency, we have teamed with expert teachers to produce something wonderful to support NZ’s teachers as they tread very carefully into new and contentious territory. History is always a version of events – there is no 100%. I worked with highly skilled and intelligent colleagues at the Ministry but their range of skills was often frustrated and hamstrung.

Goals for the next 3 months?

I can’t wait to see how our Aotearoa NZ Histories land with schools. As I said, History is up for grabs so I expect we will receive feedback. There will be some spicy conversations around the dinner table … but these conversations are more than a century overdue. I am confident teachers will be grateful and then we can start to build out a much larger Phase 2 offering. We’ve also got a Primary Literacy project targeting NZC Level 3. It is our first purpose-built primary offering and something schools have been looking forward to. True to the MoE vision and kaupapa, we are teaming up with Māori and Pasifika talent – HUIA Publications and last year’s Ockham winner for Poetry, Tusiata Avia. We have a few more surprises up our sleeves, too, but rest assured our content will be inclusive and reflective of our increasingly diverse communities.

Who is an historical figure you’d like to chat with over dinner, and why?

Can I have a dinner party? Imran Khan would be on the menu. What a life! Rhodes Scholar, superstar cricketer and now PM of Pakistan. Next would be Te Kooti. Is he the most interesting New Zealander ever? Rebel, ‘spy’, prisoner, escapee, prophet, leader, warrior and healer. Patti Smith – writer and musician – could swap notes with Nick Cave sitting gloomily in the corner. Stephen Fry would keep it light and could play quizmaster if necessary. And James Baldwin … if he could host the party at his house in St. Paul-de-Vence in the French Riviera. We could gatecrash his party, and his guests – Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Sidney Poitiers and Toni Morrison. Imagine the music!