Learnings of a Teacher

Resilience. People who are resilience are optimism, flexibility, overcome set backs and have support systems and have skills to cope with situations. These are mindsets and as teachers we need develop these mind sets in students. People who have more resilience have these core beliefs,  - I have people to support me                                                                                                - I am able to value my self.                                                                                       ...

In Te kete Tangaroa we have used our school vision Torongia ki te tihi o te maunga / Striving to get to the top of the mountain. We have created four Mountains for our akonga to climb. To reach the top of these mountains our akonga have to complete: academic, sporting, cultural and citizenship roles personalised to our akonga. As they prove themselves in each of those domains they move up the mountain.  The aim of this is to develop a culture that is focused on learning, and is characterised by respect, inclusion, empathy, collaboration and safety. As akonga climb the mountain they will have to work with and help each other. They will need to involve themselves within the wider school. We want our akonga to challenge themselves, to strive and be the best they can be.

As part of our Science Development Plan there is a direct goal around cultural responsiveness. This goal is about connecting with local iwi and gaining a cultural perspective on science. This is a vital link to make if we want to encourage place based learning. When making this goal we discussed how it is important to make connections with the past and how cultures have gone about explaining things. Maori culture has plenty to offer science. Maori over time discovered useful plants that help fight against infection and heal cuts. Kawa Kawa and Koromiko were commonly used in Maori medicine. Maori would of over time gone through a form of scientific investigation, observing, testing and gather evidence, evaluating evidence and critiquing it. Allowing them to recognise plants that could help them. As teacher we need to recognise these efforts form the pass and other cultures including it into our own science curriculum.

Science self review

Hokowhitu School Development Plan As part of the STLP I lead the development of a school development plan to guide the development of science education in our school. The plan is a direct result of the self review I completed on our school's science education.

Te Kete Tangaroa beginning of the year Newsletter To start the year the kete has sent out a letter introducing the kete teachers and outlining how the kete works. Also informing whanau of what is coming up in the term and opening up the door for communication. 

Teacher Only Day Today I did some PD around science. I shared our school development plan and got the teachers involved in some science. Teachers seemed to be keen to develop their teaching and understanding of science teaching.  I see the capabilities a great place to start, as it is not about the amount of knowledge you have, but more about how scientist develop and build on there knowledge.  This was a good start to  teaching colleagues and supporting staff in their development of science teaching.