2022 COL Interview

 What achievement challenge are you considering as an area of focus in 2023 and why? Include in your WHY both evidence and your own passion/expertise

Achievement Challenge 2  (Lifting achievement for boys writing in years 1-10) is the area I would like to focus on through my 2023 teaching inquiry. I work in a shared learning environment with Robyn Anderson and we have realised the benefits a joint inquiry can have for both us and our learners this year. It meant we had a shared vision and gave a shared message, no matter who was leading the teaching. We decided we would like to do another collaborative approach next year. After looking at our EOY data we found that a focus on spelling was needed in our class. That got both of us talking about spelling when we were at school. I remember as a child I wanted to use the words I could say in my writing but the sense of failure each red line brought with it meant I didn't. The fear was real.

What learnings from the 2017 - 2022 CoL teacher inquiries have informed or inspired your thinking.

Since I have been at Panmure Bridge I have had numerous discussions with Robyn about her inquiry and other CoL teachers' inquiries which have informed my thinking, often this was because she said ‘I saw such and such you should try it’. In 2019 my inquiry was based around NE essential spelling making connections with their comprehension.  Relooking at that inquiry after looking at our data has inspired me/us to look more closely at spelling, only this time on a different level with the focus on increasing both our learner’s confidence and skill level.

How would your work support Manaiakalani pedagogy and kaupapa? 

Learning, creating and sharing is vital for increasing our learners' engagement. Collaborating with colleagues will give them a greater sense of empowerment when working through their inquiry.

Which elements of the extensive Manaiakalani research findings inform or challenge you as you think about this?

With reading being the focus of Manaiakalani this year, it was evident to me that there were many words our learners came across when reading their books that they didn't know the meaning of.  We realised that our learners almost always didn't know how to spell the words.

How would you like to be supported in 2023 as you undertake this inquiry?

The support I would be looking for as a first time COL teacher will come from the CoL meetings, discussions with other teachers, opportunities to make new connections along with the continuing support Robyn promised me. I am looking forward to being open to hearing new ideas and strategies that will help me change my own teacher practice. 

How would you plan to support your colleagues in your school with THEIR inquiries and/or teaching in the area you are exploring?

Robyn and I have talked about this and if we are both successful in getting a CoL position, as I would be new to this role, I would support the teachers new to our school and Robyn would support the more experienced teachers. This is my first time applying for this role so guiding the newer teachers would allow me to learn alongside them. I’m excited to take on this new challenge and know that I have the full support of Robyn.