Bringing Pacific values into New Zealand classrooms

From Here Now, 5:00 am on 31 October 2022

What are Pacific values and how can they be incorporated into the classroom to help Pacific students thrive?

Three Victoria University academics explore this question in their book Pacific educators speak - Valuing our values.

Fuapepe Rimoni, Ali Glasgow, and Robin Averill - authors of Pacific educators speak: Valuing our values

Fuapepe Rimoni, Ali Glasgow, and Robin Averill - authors of Pacific educators speak: Valuing our values Photo: Victoria University

Tapasā - a new Ministry of Education framework for teachers of Pacific learners - is part of a recent drive to build better cross-cultural competencies into the New Zealand education system.

The framework incorporates nine Pacific Island values - but how do these look in a classroom?

In Pacific educators speak - Valuing our values, Fuaepe Rimoni, Ali Glasgow, and Robin Averill examine values like inclusion, service and respect by asking Pacific educators some insightful questions about their teaching experience.

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Pacific Educators

Photo: Supplied

"How can we do a better job of preparing our student teachers so that they feel confident that they understand and know how to work really well with Pacific learners and their families and schools?" - Robin Averill, co-author "Pacific Educators speak - Valuing our Values 

"We did have people in tears when they were sharing and sometimes, I think it was because that person was the only Pacific teacher in their school and carried a huge load for the Pacific community and Pacific children in that school of being the voice. And it was a bit of a release for some people." - Fuaepe Rimoni, co-author "Pacific Educators speak - Valuing our Values