Keeping Up with Mrs Faalili

  Finding your voice in a digital world Core Education blog post - Kit Haynes; Head of English Kelston Boys High School The power of talanoa. This reading is another one that supports what I know and believe to be powerful and effective in teaching, when done right. After sitting through a range of video calls with students this morning, popping in and engaging with what was happening in their class, with the goal to stay connected and support, I couldn't help but think 'Dang, I wish I had my own class because I'd be doing it way differently'. This has led to me write this reflection because I know at a point last year, I came to the conclusion that I spoke too much during our class calls. Way too much. And at that point I had to make a change, allowing students to share more, talk more. The bit that got me was the 'just mute your microphone' as kids are coming in phrase. So damn true. Even sitting here, now, a year later and still saying that in calls is off pu...

Reading Time!  This was an easy read. A good read. Like, a really really good read.  Culturally Responsive Pedagogies/Overview - What is Culturally Responsive teaching?  - The Education Hub  We, as teachers need to move beyond cultural blindness to cultural responsiveness. But what does it look like, you ask? Well, let me share with you my takeaways.... • Culturally Responsive Teaching is -  validating  the diverse knowledge and practices of our students. -  comprehensive  as it incorporates preferred ways of knowing and the cultural and life experiences of students as well as the history and culture of the group. -  empowering  and transformative  as it transforms the way students see themselves in terms of their personal efficacy. It is transformative and emancipatory in that it reveals that multiple versions of 'truth' are valid and no single version is total and permanent. • Culturally responsive pedagogies can reduce the g...

PLD 02.02.2021  If I was to summarise the key things I took away from this Professional Development what would they be and why? The question - Am I a  learner  or am I a  knower ? is what I still remember from this PLD. With the 'green' section outlining the behaviours of a learner - I sit here thinking about how many of the 'red' I am. The goal is to operate from within the green (radical candor). I know that there is a time and place for behaviours in the red - but as a professional, I will aim to operate within green. How has this professional development challenged my thinking? Thinking about myself and experiences in the past where I have been operating in the red. With a new role and working within our Manaiakalani cluster this gives me a chance to operate freshly within the green. What aspects of my practice would I consider changing as a result of this professional development and why? With new role, responsibilities and a mindset of 'be prepared to be disli...