“This degree is a flagship programme. To my knowledge, there is no teaching qualification in the country that is overtly Pacific – this is something to be celebrated and valued. Graduates will be able to leave this programme knowing how to:
- Champion Pacific learner success in their schools
- View their own identities in relation to Pacific learners
- Connect and engage well with Pacific parent communities
- Be culturally intelligent and be able to achieve best practice with potential.
I was trained as a secondary school teacher, also lectured and tutored at university before moving into vocational education. One of the key quotes that I created that I have kept as a mantra as a teacher and communicator is ‘reach before you teach’. It is the hope that this programme will have you well placed and positioned to equip you with tools and the skills to help reach our Pacific learners, before you teach them.
This programme is really special because it was developed in consultation with local schools in the South Auckland community where Te Whare Takiura o Manukau is located. It makes for us to be able to provide learning programmes that is informed by community consultation and the needs of our local schools where our communities live and work.”
Aiono Manu Fa’aea
Senior Pasifika Manager – MIT
