Hamilton PCT Primary Year 2 (0-3) 2025

Jan-Marie is passionate about the way digital technologies and inquiry-based learning can make a difference for students and their local and global community. She is an effective and supportive teacher and facilitator who enjoys working with schools to support them in making their vision for their students and community become reality.   

After a lifetime of learning and teaching, every year my hunger to learn grows. Enabling every individual to strive towards their goal is my passion, for them to be ambitious, successful and not afraid to give it a go. The key to learning is risk taking and honing in on the associated skills to cognitively process what happens as we take risks. Learning is a basic human right and we all have a responsibility to each other; the journey of learning can be a personal and social one, how much richer it will be if we are open to challenge and share our growth with others.

With a background in secondary school science education, Stephen is currently a facilitator with Te Whai Toi Tangata, providing professional development to teachers around the motu. His mahi involves supporting teachers to develop their science pedagogy, he writes for science resource and assessment development, provides digital technologies and digital fluency support for teachers, engages in cultural capability development with kaiako, oversees website development and curation, and is currently exploring the mātauranga Maori and science interface.    

Student learning in mathematics and professional development of teachers and school leaders is an exciting realm for me as a skilled educator. Being an avid learner, I am driven by my commitment to ensure New Zealand children have equitable and current opportunities to engage in high quality learning programmes.   During my 18 years as a teacher and facilitator, I have acquired many skills in teaching and leadership and have developed a particular strength in teaching mathematics. Using collaborative facilitation practices, we can lift achievement for students and inspire others to excel in the teaching and learning of maths, supported by my application of deep subject knowledge.   With adult learning and the professional learning of teachers being of interest to me, I have taken a path of study and research into developing effective middle leadership in schools. I work to empower school management, middle leaders and teachers in providing effective mathematics education for all students’ years 0-8.   “Rhian is so passionate about what she does it would be difficult for that not to rub off on all around her. Rhian is absolutely professional and has successfully gained high levels of respect, trust, engagement and affection of ALL staff members. She has significantly shifted teacher pedagogy & practice which equals positive outcomes for teachers and students. Both have experienced growth in self-efficacy and achievement.” - [School BOT report 2015]

Merimeri is an Accredited Māori and English Medium PLD facilitator with expertise in second language teaching and acquisition, teaching and learning in te reo Māori, cultural capability, Tiriti and Treaty Education. As a professional development facilitator, Merimeri collaborates with schools and kura to provide support to teachers and kaiako, helping them to enhance their cultural competencies, knowledge, and actions to fulfill their professional obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. She is a passionate proponent and advocate for the revitalisation of te reo Māori and is dedicated to driving transformative changes in mindsets and attitudes, promoting Tiriti-centric (Tiriti-based) approaches to governance and society in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Professional Learning and Development (PLD) needs to be useful and practical while supporting and challenging our educational professionals. As a facilitator, I bring energy and enthusiasm to teachers supporting them to develop confidence and capability in teaching particularly science at primary school. Establishment of collaborative partnerships encourage the growth of teacher confidence and supports the development of reflection, which enhances teaching and learning.   In Aotearoa New Zealand all teachers are charged with demonstrating commitment to tangata whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnerships. I am deeply invested in developing conversations that support teachers and schools to engage with this process in an ongoing evolving way. Unpacking and upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi serves to build cohesiveness and weave student centred learning throughout the education system.   Suiting the needs of the school is my focus with a conscientious approach. Being a lifelong learner, seeking out opportunities to learn and to challenge my own understanding, allows me to provide critical and relevant processes for supporting teachers, schools, family, whānau and communities to improve outcomes for all.   Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive.

With a background in secondary school science education, Stephen is currently a facilitator with Te Whai Toi Tangata, providing professional development to teachers around the motu. His mahi involves supporting teachers to develop their science pedagogy, he writes for science resource and assessment development, provides digital technologies and digital fluency support for teachers, engages in cultural capability development with kaiako, oversees website development and curation, and is currently exploring the mātauranga Maori and science interface.    

Professional Learning and Development (PLD) needs to be useful and practical while supporting and challenging our educational professionals. As a facilitator, I bring energy and enthusiasm to teachers supporting them to develop confidence and capability in teaching particularly science at primary school. Establishment of collaborative partnerships encourage the growth of teacher confidence and supports the development of reflection, which enhances teaching and learning.   In Aotearoa New Zealand all teachers are charged with demonstrating commitment to tangata whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnerships. I am deeply invested in developing conversations that support teachers and schools to engage with this process in an ongoing evolving way. Unpacking and upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi serves to build cohesiveness and weave student centred learning throughout the education system.   Suiting the needs of the school is my focus with a conscientious approach. Being a lifelong learner, seeking out opportunities to learn and to challenge my own understanding, allows me to provide critical and relevant processes for supporting teachers, schools, family, whānau and communities to improve outcomes for all.   Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive.