Activity 1 (week 25) - Critically reflecting on my own teaching practice (My Vision- Tōku Tirohanga)

I view my teaching  practice as a blended relationship and balance between te ao Māori (the Māori world) and te ao mārama (The modern day). The majority of my teaching is done through a Māori perspective. My focus is on Māori medium education and improving outcomes for students in a Māori bilingual environment. The environment in which I work is Level 1 Māori (Speaking and working between 80%-100% in te reo Māori). 99%-100% of the students in our Māori bilingual unit are Māori and opted for this form of education.
Therefore, my learning and teaching reflects Māori topics, issues (kaupapa Māori), language and teaching strategies. These teaching strategies include things like the importance of Tikanga Māori (karakia, tapu, noa, whanaungatanga, whakapapa etc).

In my earlier blog posts I have discussed and identified some of the issues, dreams and aspirations I face and are aware of in my teaching. A goal in my teaching is teach my students to be proud and passionate of who they are. I want them to be develop and grow and see that their Māoritanga can grow and help them succeed in life. I want them to know that the knowledge, skills and experiences that they have as Māori is valuable, precious and can help shape and drive the future.

My professional knowledge of teaching and of learners influence how and what I teach. Other influences that shape my teaching is my culture (te ao Māori), personal beliefs, whānau, community, best practices (gathered through ongoing learning as a kaiako eg. PD, courses, observations, feedback, hui etc), having hui with other kaiako in Māori medium education.

So, my teaching practice is a mixture of using traditional and modern Māori education with modern teaching and learning practices. This is taught and learnt in mostly te reo Māori. We looks at how traditional Māori knowledge and understanding is still relevant to our tamariki of today. I use modern technologies and pedagogies as tools to assist my teaching so my students can see how Mātauranga Māori can be used in today's world.

Teaching in Māori medium is a passion of mine. I teach what I teach and how I teach because I want my tamariki to be the best and succeed in the world as Māori for the world.
"Whaia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei"
"Pursue that which is precious, and do not be deterred by anything less than a lofty mountain"


References

http://www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/learn-te-reo-maori/tikanga-maori/whakatauki-en-nz/

1. Stoll, L. (1998). School Culture. School Improvement Network's Bulletin 9. Institute of Education, University of London.

2. Gargiulo, S. (2014). Principal sabbatical report. 

3. Video - Building a Culture of Success - Mark Wilson - TEdEd. (2013, Jun 21).