Like Maria Tibble in the Te Kotahitanga video clip. I am eternally grateful to Russell Bishop and Mere Berryman and their team for enabling me to be a part of the initial Te Kotahitanga implementation at Massey High School. It was truly a defining moment in my teaching career.
I, like her, learned that it isnt necessary for me to be Maori to serve our Maori students well. It just takes willingness to form relationships and be present for those students. To not stereotype and to accept difference.
EVERYTHING I do with my classes I try to base on the idea of 'first form relationships'
In my present school I am constantly surprised by attitudes that can only be described as racist. The perpetrators would be horrified if I called them on these procedures because they truly believe they are displaying acceptable behaviours.
Making judgements on students without taking into account their home circumstances and factors beyond their control that limit them is inherently racist. Not knowing basic waita and mihi protocols is unacceptable in these times. The lack of awareness I see is also a cause for concern with me as one of my PRTs is the only Te Reo teacher in the school. She is also one of only a few Maori staff. For a beginning teacher the road is hard enough. To expect her to right the wrongs of generations is a huge ask. She is working steadily though - improving things one step at a time. We have a number of Maori students who do not openly identify themselves as Maori - that speaks volumes.
Its the pedagogy that needs to change - to become more culturally responsive. Its the mindset we need to work on.
What can I do? I have a professional responsibility to constantly call people on what they say that I feel is a result of an uninformed mindset. I can call on what I learned with Te Kotahitanga and it stands me in good stead.
I model the behaviours I believe others should use. I use Te Reo with my classes when I can. I expect them to be open.
I refuse to let the term 'they' become an excuse in my class - as 'they think, they believe'...nor will I take 'people like that..' as an acceptable term. You must make yourself clear in my classroom. You must show respect to all - including yourself.
I, like her, learned that it isnt necessary for me to be Maori to serve our Maori students well. It just takes willingness to form relationships and be present for those students. To not stereotype and to accept difference.
EVERYTHING I do with my classes I try to base on the idea of 'first form relationships'
In my present school I am constantly surprised by attitudes that can only be described as racist. The perpetrators would be horrified if I called them on these procedures because they truly believe they are displaying acceptable behaviours.
Making judgements on students without taking into account their home circumstances and factors beyond their control that limit them is inherently racist. Not knowing basic waita and mihi protocols is unacceptable in these times. The lack of awareness I see is also a cause for concern with me as one of my PRTs is the only Te Reo teacher in the school. She is also one of only a few Maori staff. For a beginning teacher the road is hard enough. To expect her to right the wrongs of generations is a huge ask. She is working steadily though - improving things one step at a time. We have a number of Maori students who do not openly identify themselves as Maori - that speaks volumes.
Its the pedagogy that needs to change - to become more culturally responsive. Its the mindset we need to work on.
What can I do? I have a professional responsibility to constantly call people on what they say that I feel is a result of an uninformed mindset. I can call on what I learned with Te Kotahitanga and it stands me in good stead.
I model the behaviours I believe others should use. I use Te Reo with my classes when I can. I expect them to be open.
I refuse to let the term 'they' become an excuse in my class - as 'they think, they believe'...nor will I take 'people like that..' as an acceptable term. You must make yourself clear in my classroom. You must show respect to all - including yourself.