Keeping Up with Mrs Faalili

Share 3 pieces of academic or professional reading and explain how they and other sources helped you form hypotheses about aspects of teaching that might contribute to current patterns of learning.  If I want my learners to be coming to school on time, motivated, and ready to learn, I need to make sure that I am being culturally responsive in my teaching practice and setting them up for success. "Culturally responsive teaching... strives to increase engagement and motivation of students" Michael Valvurs (2008) Culturally Responsive Teaching  Throughout this reading, the 'why' of a culturally responsive practice is unpacked. Increase in student engagement and increase of student motivation, transforming perspectives and empowering learners by using meaningful cultural connections, just to name a few. My target group are a group of Year 7/8 Pasifika boys who are all operating below, mostly well below their expected level. Not only are they operating behind their peers, ...

Tapasa Workshop (Zoom) on 7th May 2021 with Cindy Tupou from Senior Teacher If I was to summarise the key things I took away from this Professional Development what would they be and why? A culturally responsive practice is important ( See Tapasa PLG notes ) The importance of making space and providing our learners with opportunities to share their identities and culture Don't have to be the expert and never assume- thinking about other language weeks, we should be celebrating them as well. What can I do in my role to support the celebration of language and culture in our school? How has this professional development challenged my thinking? This PLG hasn't challenged my thinking, rather affirming that I am doing is in alignment with Tapasa, that it is well and truly living and breathing in my practice. What I need to do is familiarise myself more with this document so that I am aware of the turu in my practice.