Rate My Professor Shannon McNatty

Shannon McNatty serves as Senior Professional Practice Fellow – Secondary in the University of Otago College of Education. She functions as a teacher educator and professional supervisor of student teachers, delivering instruction in the Physical Education learning area within the Primary Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg) and Secondary Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) programmes. Possessing extensive prior experience as a secondary school teacher in Outdoor Education and Physical Education, including 12 years teaching in all-girls' secondary schools, McNatty previously held a part-time teaching position at the University of Otago School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences. Her professional commitment centers on motivating young people to participate actively in outdoor pursuits and foster an environmental ethic.

McNatty earned a Master of Physical Education (MPEd) from the University of Otago in 2014, with a thesis entitled "Girls' Identity and Learning in Outdoor Education," and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) researching "Young women's perspectives on the long-term impact of a residential outdoor learning programme." Her research specializations encompass transformative learning experiences from long-duration outdoor education programmes, identity narratives expressed by adolescent girls following such experiences, and the enduring effects on girls' identity and wellbeing. Additional academic interests include initial teacher education for outdoor education, health education, and physical education. Key publications feature "Looking back: the lasting impact of outdoor education for adolescent girls" (Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning, 2025; co-authored with K. Nairn, M. Campbell-Price, M. Boyes), "The return home: Transitioning from a 28-day remote outdoor education programme" (Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 2016), "Learning happens everywhere" (Te Whakatika, 2019), and 2024 conference contributions such as "What is being taught in initial teacher education for outdoor education, health education and physical education at Otago College of Education" (with O. Wheeler) and "The lasting impact of empowering outdoor education on adolescent girls' identity and wellbeing" (10th International Outdoor Education Research Conference).