Judy Parr (Grant)
Judy was a multi-talented student who excelled in many fields at school. She was an outstanding scholar, an all-round talented sportsperson and a leader among her peers. Judy was runner-up to the Dux (Marion Oliver) in 1966 receiving the Proxime Accessit Award. From school Judy headed to University in Auckland where is gained an MA (Hons in History) and completed her Dip Tch (with Distinction) at Auckland Secondary Teachers’ College. She continued her studies at the Australian National University in Canberra specialising in psychology where she graduated with a PhD.
Judy played hockey at school and was a member of the successful 1st XI in 1965/66. Currently her physical activity is confined to the gym, swimming and tramping/walking. She has had the distinction of being a New Zealand and Australian Universities rep in table tennis and squash, respectively. While in Australia Judy represented ACT in table tennis and played state grade squash.
Judy’s work history is notable. From 1972-1983 she was employed by the Commonwealth Teaching Service as Teacher and Head of Department in high schools and senior colleges in Australian Capital Territory. She followed that with a five year stint as a Commonwealth scholar and part time staff member of the Department of Psychology at the Australian National University. She returned to Auckland University in 1990 and worked her way up to become Professor of Education and currently Head of the School of Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Faculty of Education. Judy was born into teaching. Her father, Hugh Grant, was a long serving member of the Technical Department at Matamata College.
Judy has travelled widely over the years as part of her role as an academic, presenting (at conferences, to professionals or research groups, at other universities) or taking periods of research and study leave in USA, UK, Europe, Singapore and Malaysia, China, Chile and Australia.
Judy believes her proudest achievement is mentoring the 60+ people in the education field (teachers, school leaders, ministry officials and tertiary teachers) whose theses (doctoral and masters) she has supervised over the years. These people were all highly committed to making a difference in educational contexts. She has been involved in a number of large scale collaborative research projects and subsequent education policy and practice. Her focus is on enhancing teacher practice and improving student literacy – writing is her specific area of expertise. Judy has had books and articles published of her research and presents the finding and implications to researchers and practitioners both in NZ and internationally.
Along with her very busy academic career she has raised a son and daughter.