A nation’s most valuable commodity is its human capital.
We are solely about making a prudent investment in our children now so that when they are adults they will be more able than previous generations to adapt, create and problem solve their way to a fairer and wealthier society and a healthier planet.
- JAMES PHELPS, FOUNDER, MINDS WIDE OPEN
James Phelps
Specialist Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT), Design Thinking (DT) and Project Based Learning (PBL) classroom teacher
Creator of critical and creative thinking and design thinking teaching resources
Designer of the Minds Wide Open CCT and DT classroom programs
James Phelps is a highly experienced classroom teacher who has created an array of evidence-based learning activities and teaching tools that primary and middle school educators can use to foster essential 21st century competencies.
Utilising knowledge acquired through 30 years of teaching he has designed an innovative teaching program called Minds Wide Open (aligned to the Australian Curriculum) whereby students are taught explicitly how to think critically and creatively, solve problems and design solutions. His program is currently being used in more than 500 schools across Australia and internationally.
James has trained and advised over 6000 educators on how to integrate and embed the teaching of learning dispositions and thinking skills into their school plans, classroom routines and programs. On these topics he has spoken at the NSW DET IOnTheFuture conferences, the Community Languages conference at University of Sydney, and the Inspire Innovate conference at ANZ Stadium. James has also conducted training seminars for educators in Finland and Norway.
“Thank you for your generosity and time spent on creating exemplary usable resources for classroom teachers!”
“James was very knowledgeable. Every question was answered with evidence, experience, statistics and research.”
