Jo Armstrong

Jo is a teacher, writer, harpist, mother, dancer and archer. Over the last 25 years she has taught a variety of ages from Year 3 to Year 12. She has a passion for learning about anything, and brings this into her classroom. She is especially interested in environmental studies, sustainability, second languages, and meeting the needs of gifted and talented students.

The BLAKE Inspire for Teachers course in 2021 opened Jo’s eyes to the learning opportunities found in our own backyards and around our school grounds. After presenting to her BOT about the course and her solar panels proposal she also presented to the staff in order to bring them on board, which sparked the school’s year-long environmental focus with the simple aim of “Ma te Taiao, Falling in Love With Nature” – inspired by Sir Peter Blake’s final log entry.

Jo lives in beautiful South Canterbury, where winter means frosty starts and blue sky days. She goes potato mining in her garden, is always on the hunt for pea straw, and forgets to order her firewood on time. She loves playing Yahtzee and Instanbul with her kids, even though they usually win. They won’t play Bananagrams against her anymore because she actually practices in her spare time.