Rate My Professor Jo Harford

Jo Harford is an English Teacher at the University of Otago Pathway and English Language Centre, contributing to foundation studies certificates and English language programmes that prepare international and domestic students for university entrance. These programmes offer supportive pathways including Level 5 diplomas and English courses tailored to various proficiency levels, helping students transition successfully to degree-level study at the University of Otago. Prior to her current role, Harford taught English and media studies at King's High School in Dunedin, where she was involved in student achievements such as Shakespeare festivals and poetry competitions.

Harford has made notable contributions to educational research through participation in Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) projects affiliated with the University of Otago College of Education. As a practitioner-researcher in the 2006-2007 TLRI-funded project 'A collaborative self-study into the development and integration of critical literacy practices,' led by Susan Sandretto, she collaborated with teachers from four Dunedin primary schools and King's High School. Harford focused on integrating critical literacy strategies into secondary media studies curricula, participating in guided reading enhancements, integrated curriculum development, data collection via videotaped lessons and stimulated recall interviews, and collaborative theorizing sessions. The team developed key resources including a critical literacy assessment rubric, metalanguage word bank, questioning prompts, student posters, and lesson plan templates, demonstrating student gains in comprehension, critical response justification, and relating texts to personal experiences. Findings were disseminated through conference presentations, such as 'Integrating critical literacy strategies into media studies: Lessons from ongoing research' at the 2007 NAME conference in Auckland, and influenced professional development and the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) programme. Harford also served on the reference group for the 2013 TLRI project 'Reconceptualising literacy: Critical multiliteracies for new times,' led by Susan Sandretto and Jane Tilson. Additionally, she provided a book review for Literacy Forum NZ on 'Using process drama to expand the literacy programme' by Trish Wells and Susan Sandretto. Harford has extended her educational engagement through theatre production, including 'Saved' in 2023 with University of Otago THEA452 students at Allen Hall Theatre.