Why TairāwitiED?

Why TairāwhitiED?

The following is an introductory statement from our recently established TairāwhitiED facebook page.

In recent years educationally focused groups have begun forming around Aotearoa with the purpose of increasing high quality, collaboration between teachers,schools and communities. One such group is called WellyED. 

A group of people passionate about education in Tairāwhiti have spoken about the need for a group like this being created. So here it is..at the very early stages..Its really exciting to get #tairāwhitiED up and running and based on recent discussions there is plenty to look forward to.

It is essential that our community knows that this is an open group for any people that are interested in our education system here in Tairāwhiti. So please share with others that are truly interested in our rangatahi and their education here in Tairāwhiti. The more diverse our members are (in terms of culture, experience and background) the more valuable our contribution towards improving our youths learning experience will be.

As part of our launch we were able to screen the educational documentary "Most Likely to Succeed." MLTS was a chance to initiate a discussion regarding the need to how challenge the status quo in our education system. Under this TairāwhitiED aims to invite dialogue across all our community, professionals, entrepreneurs, home makers, and learners both young and old.

Reflection on the screening...The turn out for this screening was far more than we anticipated totalling 80! It was exciting to see so many people curious about how education needs to change and how this might look like here in for our rangatahi in Tairāwhiti.  

The following points are a list I made while watching MLTS. 

• Structure for High Tech High projects appered to be focused around Plan>>Process>>Presentation 
• Schools are all actioning personalised learning in different ways
• Requires faith in this new pedagogy
• Accountability promoted through exhibition
• Project based learning was the key towards authenticity and engagement.
• Team teaching allowed for integrated curriculum and expertise was supported 
• Learner evaluation included Qs asking Ss to reflect on learning skills/muscles
• Curriculum coverage is likely to be reduced even as much as by 50% but Ss develop understanding and skill sets to a deeper level.

I am of the mindset that Most likely to succeed was a great way to share the interest we all have in education, as it was for us as students and how it is now.  It provided an exciting example of how education can be shaped to meet the needs of our learners in ways that were previously impossible. We emphasised how this isn't a case of modelling what High tech high have done, but to see this as an example of what might be possible when we choose to re-vision our education system and act upon our vision. 
The following week we ran our very first TairāwhitiED workshop. We explored the groups aspirations and expectations relating to education here. We achieved this through using a design thinking process, (expertly facilitated by Mindlab Gisborne educator Tim Gander.) This process enabled us to both introduce ourselves and work alongside community members to explore this amazing topic. There was a real overarching theme through the group. Relationship building and personalised learning programs was often communicated as the key aim for engagement. One member spoke about connecting with learners in a way that sparks their innate talents and passions. As a teacher I felt the discussions I have only just begun are going to continue and develop in ways I could never have predicted prior. It is truly exciting to see TairāwhitiED up and running and feel that much will be gained through this wonderful group of people.