Mennie Scapens, MEd, has a background in educational leadership, having co-founded and led Matahui School, an independent primary school in Katikati, NZ, in 1988. (www.matahui.school.nz ) Mennie has a life-long passion for education and a deep admiration and respect for teachers and their vital work in the world. Her areas of interest and expertise include the theory of multiple intelligences (Howard Gardner), teaching of creativity and effective thinking, and human diversity and potential.

Mennie also had a long involvement with the Women’s Gathering at Tauhara, which was held annually for 20 years until 2013 at Taupo, NZ.

Through her Courage & Renewal facilitation, Mennie offers people the opportunity to take time-out from their busy lives, to reconnect with themselves and review their work, their relationships and life’s other mysteries and happenings. Her goal is to help develop successful collaborative organisations where people are valued and personal connections and trust are able to thrive.

Through her work, she aims to highlight and help heal the growing sense of disconnection in our world – disconnection with our deeper self, with each other and our shared humanity, disconnection from nature and this wondrous planet we live on.

She is the author of The Rebel’s Guide to Leadership which she has written for changemakers who feel called to help create a more compassionate, just, and sustainable world.

Favorite quote

“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.”

Rumi

Book Recommendation

The Courage Way: Leading and living with integrity

Center for Courage & Renewal and Shelly L. Francis

Where I'm Finding Inspiration

“When systems collapse, what are we left with? We are left with each other. We are left with our relationships. With how we relate to Mother Nature, how we relate to each other, and how we relate to our emerging Selves.” - Otto Scharmer -

What I Do For Fun, Rest, and Renewal

For rest and relaxation I practise yoga, and I enjoy hiking and cycling trips with friends. My extended family is my anchor in life. We love cooking and sharing food together, and having lots of family fun.

Organizations I've Worked With

Anglican Schools of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia
NZ Presbyterian Church Schools
Horizon School, Snells Beach, Auckland
NZ Rugby High Performance Coaches
St Andrews & St Aidans Presbyterian Churches, Northcote, Auckland.
Macquarie University - Merit Scholars Program, Sydney, NSW, Australia.