Rate My Professor Bilinda Offen

Dr. Bilinda Offen is a Lecturer in the University of Otago College of Education, Dunedin. She holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) from Massey University, completed in 2016, with her thesis titled "Factors that influence teacher appraisal in primary schools: making appraisal meaningful for teachers." Additional qualifications include a Bachelor of Education (BEd) from the University of Otago, a Master of Education (MEd) from the University of Tasmania, a Diploma in Teaching (DipTchg), and a Diploma in Educational Leadership (DipEdLdrshp) from the College of Education (DCE). Primary trained, Offen has taught across all curriculum areas for years 1 to 8 and continues to teach in classrooms with primary students to remain current with practical challenges. Her passion for teaching and learning drives her work with future teachers.

Offen's teaching areas encompass mathematics education, professional supervision, and curriculum theory. She coordinates primary education papers such as Primary Curriculum 1 (EDUC472), Primary Curriculum 2 (EDUC572), and English and Mathematics 3 (EDCR331). Research interests focus on teacher appraisal and its impact on student outcomes, alongside mathematics in primary classrooms, emphasizing collaborative learning environments and rich activities. Key publications include "Responsive Teaching in Primary Mathematics: Linking current theory to practice and planning" (2020, Teachers Work), "Transitioning to a meaningful appraisal process: One principal’s journey" (2018, Journal of Educational Leadership, Policy and Practice, co-authored with Susan Sandretto), "He ara e rua he whāinga kotahi: Walking Dual Pathways Toward Shared Goals in Initial Primary Sector Teacher Education" (2023, book chapter co-authored with Alexandra C. Gunn and Steven Sexton), and contributions to "Pre-service primary teachers’ relationships with mathematics: Affect and identity" (2018).