MIT Spark Innovative Teachers

Today was the first time we gathered as a group of #spark innovative teachers. After the formal introductions, we presented our problems faced in our respective schools which helped form the basis of our inquiries. I outlined the problems faced at my school, which was poor student attendance, low literacy levels and a lack of self-efficacy in students ability to achieve. These problems stemmed from underlying issues at home, lack of support structures put in place by schools and previous failures associated with school work. As a group we identified many inter-related issues within our respective schools, which provided a perfect opportunity to bounce ideas off each other. After these discussions it has given me motivation to implement strategies to help my group of students be successful. I look forward to working with these like-minded people and improving student outcomes in 2017.

Culturally Responsive Teaching Observation

Apart of my appraisal process this year was to demonstrate ways to becoming a culturally responsive teacher. Having an observation gave me an opportunity to be able to get feedback in regards to what I am doing well in this area and what I need to work on. Creating a well managed learning environment is important in a successful classroom and I got positive feedback in this area. From the observation form, I want to continue improving on discursive interaction in the classroom. Using feedback, feed-forward and reciprocal learning opportunities creates a better learning environment. Students feel that their ideas and appreciated and used to help in the learning process. This is something that I want to continue developing in my classroom. Hopefully this will help improve student outcomes.

2017 Observation

Giving Feedback

Encouraging students to feel comfortable and confident to interact with a teacher is important element in the classroom. I create an environment where students feel confident to ask questions in class and also interact with me in a digital form. Below is an example of how one of my students has asked me for support in their work. In my own time I can reply to this comment, and then discuss it further in class the next day.

Teacher Feedback

This year was the introduction of the whanau system. As a Kaiarahi (leader of whanau) my role and responsibility was primarily to create a sense of belonging for our students. Everything this year was new, there was no expectation set, therefore I could help create a whanau that was unique to Otuuwairoa. As this concept was new, I needed the help of my colleagues to help build a whanau structure. Feedback and feedforward was important and this was something I drew on regularly. Taking feedback onboard was important to help create a whanau that everyone wants to belong too!

U-Learn Presentation

During the Term 3 School Holidays I presented my Teaching inquiry at ULearn. This was a chance for me to share with the teaching community about innovative learning. My focus was on increasing literacy level among Year 11 students who were well below the required level to achieve. Using the innovative tool, "speech recognition" I was able to have a conversation with my students while evidence was captured on a document. This gave students a starting point for their assessment and gave them more confidence in completing the task. Overall, using this tool helped improve student outcomes and evidently achievement levels in NCEA.

Analysing Data

Analysing data at the end of academic year allows me to evaluate what went well and what needs improving. Analysing my data allows me to see what achievement standards have a poor success rate. This gives me time to reflect on the unit and think about what I can do to improve the statistics for next year. Also, I look at what achievement standards had a high success rate. Obviously, what I am doing is working well, so I look to only make a few tweaks to help maintain the high success rate.

Toolkit Presentation

This year I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the eight teachers to conduct an inquiry with the help and assistance of Manaiakalani and the Spark Foundation. Throughout the course of the year I was sharing with others what I had been doing in my inquiry. Not only did teachers follow me online but they also got a chance to listen to me discuss what I have being doing with my inquiry. I shared my inquiry with our community of learning in a Kootuitui toolkit and I received some really positive feedback from our primary schools in terms of what I am doing to be creative with digital tools. Also, throughout the year I presented my front of my whanau group, the entire teaching staff and Kootuitui digital leaders. Overall, having this opportunity has allowed me acquire a greater understanding of the teacher inquiry framework and further my knowledge area digital tools. With this knowledge added to my toolbox (kiti), I can now share this with my colleagues to help them gather better understanding of these tools.

Toolkit Presentation

Te Ara Reo Level 2

Last year I was fortunate enough to complete 'Te Ara Reo' Level 2 course. This course helped me improve my basic 'Te Reo' language and also increase my knowledge of Tikanga Maori. I was very grateful for this opportunity, as it has helped me further my journey in to learning Maori. The knowledge I have gained from this course was extremely valuable, as I am able to implement this in to the classroom to help further the outcomes of my students.

Inquiry 2017

Attached is my appraisal booklet for 2017. Within this booklet are my personal and school wide goals. These goals helped me identify ways in which I could improve my teaching to help outcomes of my students. The goals I identified for 2017 also tied in nicely with my inquiry. I looked at how I can help student's self efficacy and ultimately improve literacy levels.

Inquiry 2017

Teacher Inquiry

Within my professional blog, I take you through every step of my teacher inquiry. This year I focused on my Year 11 PED class and how positive praise can lift efficacy within students writing. Undergoing this inquiry this year has really helped me become a better reflective teacher and recognise how to use appropriate data to help better student outcomes.

2018 Inquiry

Blog Posts

Analysing Data

Analysing data at the end of academic year allows me to evaluate what went well and what needs improving. Analysing my data allows me to see what achievement standards have a poor success rate. This gives me time to reflect on the unit and think about what I can do to improve the statistics for next year. Also, I look at what achievement standards had a high success rate. Obviously, what I am doing is working well, so I look to only make a few tweaks to help maintain the high success rate.

Analysis of PE 3.2 Standard

Appraisal Document 2018

Attached is my appraisal booklet for 2018. Within this booklet are my personal and school wide goals. These goals helped me identify ways in which I could improve my teaching to help outcomes of my students. The goals I identified for 2018 also tied in nicely with my inquiry. I looked at how I can help student's self efficacy and ultimately improve literacy levels.

Appraisal 2018

Tracking Students

A school initiative this year is tracking senior students through their NCEA year. As a Kaiarahi it is important that track my students and keep an eye on how students are progressing with their NCEA credits. Letting students know how many credits they have achieved gives them a good indication of how well they are tracking and how many credits they have left to get out of a possible number. Knowing how many credits they have got gives students a sense of achievement and satisfaction but it also makes them hungry and motivated to work hard to achieve the remaining credits on offer throughout the year.

2018 Priority Learners

As a teacher it is important to analyse previous assessment data so you can make necessary changes to improve results in the future. I have interventions in place to help me reach my calculated targets for the year. Once this year has finished I can make the final calculations and reflect on what worked well and what needs improvements in certain areas.