Develop a culture that is focused on learning, and is characterised by respect, inclusion, empathy, collaboration and safety.
Elaboration
Develop learning-focused relationships with learners, enabling them to be active participants in the process of learning, sharing ownership and responsibility for learning.
• Foster trust, respect and cooperation with and among learners so that they experience an environment in which it is safe to take risks.
• Demonstrate high expectations for the learning outcomes of all learners, including for those learners with disabilities or learning support needs.
• Manage the learning setting to ensure access to learning for all and to maximise learners’ physical, social, cultural and emotional safety.
• Create an environment where learners can be confident in their identities, languages, cultures and abilities.
• Develop an environment where the diversity and uniqueness of all learners are accepted and valued. • Meet relevant regulatory, statutory and professional requirements.
26.9.19
My professional inquiry for the past 3 years has been something along the lines of 'how can I raise the profile of te reo/tikanga māori in a classroom in a way that students personally connect with and value not just at school but in the wider context of their lives?' This is still my inquiry/goal/focus but it has also morphed into something else that doesn't sit along side but is woven through my aforementioned question.
Developing a strong sense of:
-whanaungatanga (sense of belonging, connected, inclusiveness)
-manaakitanga (extending aroha, listening, tautoko - support, awhi - help, 'being there'
& -kotahitanga (sense of oneness and unity)
within our māori academy.
While these values are not unique to the māori culture, they are a very strong part of it and māori do these things in such a natural and genuine way. Has anyone ever been to a marae and not spoken of the feeling of care, hospitality and love? This is how I want the tamariki to feel in my care. This is how I want the tamariki to feel one with another. It's something I want to explicitly talk about more next year, through the whakatauki and more. One child said to me the other day 'you're my cousin aye...oh no, I mean my aunty'. Whānau and aroha are seen but more importantly felt, not just written or said. I do love my māori academy students and I hope they feel that. I love my time with them on Tuesdays and seeing them around the school!
This week I've had to move out of Room 27 (which I loved) and into Room 25b. This will also work really well as I get to set it up as a classroom with our own posters and learning on the walls. This was one thing that was lacking in the PLC. It's amazing what a space/environment can do to foster a learning atmosphere. Room 25b moreso than 27 (as that was also a music room) will really be set up as Te ara ako....our dedicated place to learn, share and grow. I want the students to feel like it's ours, and visitors to feel the wairua when they come through the doors. Although it was a storage space for the first half of the year, it's now ours and I'm excited to make it our home. Our identities are all valued wherever we are and for Term 3 at least, this is where we will be....a safe, inviting room for everyone.
12.3.19
In setting up the classroom environment this year I've decided to sit in one big porowhita rather than at separate tables. I really want to instil a sense of unity and ohana and I can already tell that being able to make eye contact with everyone else is very powerful. I've made it very clear that in our sessions we're in a safe space where we are all free to try without fear of being ridiculed or shamed in any way. So far most students have at some point been brave enough to speak up with some of them presenting their whole pepeha without a tinge of nerves. I'm sure those who are holding back will ease into it when they feel ready and I don't anticipate it will take that long.
1.3.19
Last week I was relieving in a class that has a young boy who is causing problems for the teacher and other students. He's going to be in the Māori Academy which starts next week and I've personally invited him to be part of the Kapa Haka group. We need him! As I played softball with him and my own children after school it dawned on me that he needs to be included in something that makes him have fun and feel included and successful. This may be it. Of course it won't solve all of his problems but I'm sure it will be a positive experience for him. I've spoken to the sports coordinator and his teacher and the child himself and everyone's happy with the idea. It's nice to have a stewardship and connection with these māori students and be able to make a small difference.
7.8.18
The māōri academy works on a term by term cycle. It's a safe space to learn and speak in a new language. We begin with a opening prayer to set the scene and signal the beginning of our respectful learning session. All students are encouraged to attempt everything we do when they feel ready. We usually sit around different tables but occasionally the children crowd around me and we cozy up, depending on what they feel like.
As we often talk about things regarding individuals (eg. families, likes, description, age, birthdays, feelings etc.), we get to know eachother and have good laughs while learning.
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