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"We experience the greatest sense of
meaning and fulfilment when we
are able to contribute to people’s lives
and the world."

Contribution is key.

Waitaha, Ngāti Māmoe, and Ngāi Tahu
CEO / Founder of The Learner First

Joanne McEachen

"Assessment shouldn’t serve as a judge,
but a guide, giving students direction
on where to go next."

Read the Assessment Paper

Learn more about the Contributive Learning Framework

Imagine a future where every child leaves school
knowing who they are, how they fit into the world,
and how they can contribute to humanity.

Global expertise empowering
local agency.

Global Education Leaders

Led by education leader Joanne McEachen and a team of international experts, we bring decades of diverse educational experience to guide schools, educators, learners, and communities.

Meet Our Team

Individualized Support

What matters most in your communities should be decided locally and built around your unique goals and values. We tailor our support to determine what success means to you, and then to help you achieve it.

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Outcomes That Matter

Our Contributive Learning Framework focuses on the outcomes learners need—self-understanding, connection, knowledge, and competency—and on how schools can enable learning and wellbeing for all.

See Our Story

"The purpose of education is to learn who you are, how you fit into the world, and how you can contribute your gifts to humanity."

Joanne McEachen, The Learner First Founder and CEO

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"The purpose of education is to learn who you are, how you fit into the world, and how you can contribute your gifts to humanity." Joanne McEachen, The Learner First Founder & CEO

Recent Post

Reclaiming Our Knowledge

Thought Piece

I often find myself sharing an idea or opinion and then wondering, genuinely, “Where did that come from?” I’ll search through my life, what I’ve learned along the way, and try to tease out connections to the original source. Sometimes,…

Contribution as a lens for well-being and a vision for education.

We experience the greatest sense of meaning and fulfilment when we are able to contribute to people’s lives and the world. It gives a positive purpose to our actions, highlights our strengths and provides an application of our knowledge.

Schools and communities can be the space to foster well-being for everyone. When the ultimate goal is to Contribute then students, teachers, leaders and families will build critical competencies, give purpose to curricular subjects, and strive for success.

A few of our partners

What’s New?

The latest news and learning from us and other voices.

Stop the Swing, Start from Center

Thought Piece

By Beth Hamilton, Director, The Learner First USA. I recently stepped away from the schoolhouse after 20 years in education that encompassed roles as a teacher, instructional coach, and, for the last 10 years, an elementary school principal.…

Going Toward vs. Going Away

Thought Piece

By Ellen Perconti, Superintendent of Goldendale School District in Washington State. The New Year is a time when we typically reflect, set goals, and determine actions. It’s a time in our school year when we recommit to action plans for the…

Assessment: What’s the Fuss All About?

Article

By Mary Coverdale, Executive Director at The Learner First Australia. The COVID-19 pandemic has perhaps unwittingly created a sliding doors moment in education. One consequence has been a global awareness of the scale of educational inequality…

Goldendale School District Awarded WSSDA Board of the Year

News

The Learner First has partnered with Goldendale School District (GSD) in Washington State since 2019. This week, GSD’s School Board was awarded Board of the Year in the category of Small School Districts for its extraordinary efforts in supporting…

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CONTACT US

Email general inquiries to info@thelearnerfirst.com or find more contact info here.

We have businesses registered in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand and work with educators and schools in countries around the world.

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