Hi, I'm Marian Wright.
I help schools and systems do bold, coherent, future-facing work so young people leave school with more agency, not less.
Work
I help schools rethink how learning is designed, experienced, and connected to what comes next.My work sits at the intersection of career education, curriculum, student agency. But really, I help schools bring the pieces together, building more coherent, future-facing learning ecosystems.That might mean reimagining school processes like subject selection, aligning disconnected programs, redesigning curriculum and career education, or making strategic sense of student voice data. I also deliver professional learning on the evolution of work and learning.I draw on human-centred design and systems thinking to get beneath the surface of everyday challenges, uncovering solutions that are innovative, practical, and uniquely tailored to each context.Curious about working together? Here’s what that could look like.
Professional LearningCo-designed sessions that cut through the noise without buzzwords or pre-packaged fixes. Just space to think, learn, and unlearn together.Grounded in systems thinking and human-centred design, these sessions create a pause point: a circuit breaker to examine the patterns, mindsets, and structures that shape learning. We surface what’s holding the system in place, and explore new possibilities that centre the real needs of students and teachers.
Big Picture StrategySchools are complex ecosystems, but often, parts like subject selection, student voice, wellbeing, and career education sit in silos. I help schools map the bigger picture using systems thinking, and human centred systems design to uncover the patterns and relationships driving outcomes beneath the surface. Through this, we shape strategies that aren’t just reactive, but purposefully designed around the real experiences of students, teachers, and communities. The result is a more aligned, coherent system — where every part works together to improve what matters most.
Learning DesignUsing a human-centred design approach, I collaborate with your teams to rethink curriculum and career education, making learning deeply responsive to young people’s needs today and purposeful for their futures.By weaving together systems thinking and diverse methodologies, we design learning experiences that integrate capabilities, student agency, and career education in a cohesive, future-focused way. This approach ensures curriculum and career pathways aren’t separate pieces but connected parts of a holistic learning system.
Beyond ForumsStudent voice is more than data, it’s a vital driver of learning design and experience.I help schools listen deeply and differently to young people, using human-centred design to translate their insights into strategic action. Whether it’s co-designing units with students, creating shadow leadership boards, or hosting innovation hackathons, we unlock opportunities for meaningful change that resonate throughout the whole system.When we engage students as co-designers, we foster a feedback-rich culture that drives continuous improvement and innovation.
Focused ProjectsWhen challenges like attendance, behaviour, or engagement demand fresh thinking, I work with schools to bring new perspectives and thoughtful planning to the table.Using systems thinking, we explore the root causes beneath the symptoms, uncovering the interconnections that influence outcomes. With a human-centred design approach, we co-create solutions tailored to your school’s unique context, goals, and community.Whether launching a new initiative, refining an existing approach, or simply navigating a complex problem, I help turn ideas into aligned, practical action that drives sustainable change.
About
Marian Wright is an educator and strategist with over a decade of experience across Brisbane schools, including Brisbane State High School, Citipointe Christian College, TAFE Senior College, and The Industry School. A qualified secondary educator, Marian transitioned into leadership roles early in her career, driven by her interests in innovation, human-centred design, strategic change, and future-focused education.Marian has led multi-site projects that have transformed the way schools and systems approach pedagogy, curriculum, and post-school futures, always grounded in strong industry partnerships, employability, and career awareness for young people. Her work sits at the intersection of education, strategy, human-centred design, and systems thinking, enabling her to navigate complexity and deliver coherent, impactful solutions.Believing people are never just one thing, Marian also co-founded a small film production business with her husband, producing creative projects alongside her education work, including a notable collaboration with Hummingbird House, Queensland’s first children’s hospice. With a deep love of storytelling, design, and media, she brings a creative lens to everything she does.Marian holds a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and has completed postgraduate study in leadership, learning analytics and human-centred systems design. She is deeply committed to working with schools and systems to ensure that students leave school with more agency, not less. She believes education should be a dynamic, human-centred system that equips young people not just to face the future, but to shape it with curiosity, resilience, and meaningful connection.At the heart of her work is a conviction that by redesigning educational systems, we can create learning environments where students find purpose in learning in the present and are equipped to thrive in complexity and change in the future.
Collaborations
See who I've worked with.
Strategy, student futures and professional learning with St Joseph's College in Coomera, Queensland
Professional Learning and learning design with Emmaus College in Jimboomba, Queensland
Presentation for 2023 Adolescent Success Conference on economic agency & career education
Education Advisory Group Member with UNIQ You, a not-for-profit committed to supporting girls with exploring careers in male-dominated industries.