Lelarei's Teaching Philosophy

Practicum was what I needed to reconnect with the whys? It was a chance to remember why I am here in teaching. Why I teach the way I do.  Sometimes studying the pedagogies of teaching the why's can get lost for me. All the theories of how to teach it was getting back into the classroom that helped me reconnect with the way I teach.  I had amazing support in and out of the classroom. The Students taught me more about myself as a teacher than any book.  I received hands-on training that gave me experiences and connections to outside organizations that support students who need extra help. Seeing and documenting procedures to access these resources was educational.  The relationships I formed on practicum were created through a culture of great work ethic's that had been established before I arrived. This lets me see how important the culture we create in our classrooms is to the learning environment. Culture is as important as what is being taught if we want to support

Before Practicum                                               After Practicum

Ko wai au Ko Whitirea t ō ku Maunga Ko Porirua t ō ku Awa Ko Tainui t ō ku Waka Ko Ngati Koata raua ko Ngati Toa oku Iwi Ko Takapuwahia raua ko Kakati oku Marae Ka moe a Ramari Te Hiko ia Ariki Wineera Ka puta koe Ria Wineera Ka moe a Ria Wineera ia Angus Elkington Ka puta koe Hoki Elkington Ka moe a Hoki Elkington ia Daniel Parker Na r ā ua ka puta ko au Ko Lelarei Higgins t ō ku ingoa   Teaching philosophy ‘To provide education that best fits the aspirations of this generation enhances the dreams of future generations and prepares for understanding the essence of past generations To equip people with knowledge of our heritage, our language, our culture so they can handle the world at large with confidence and self-determination To empower ones potential for learning as a base for progress in the modern world To make contributions of consequence To care to make our world a better place’ Buck Nin- Mission Statement