From strength to strength: a staff interview

Among those proudly adorning our purple and teal hoods at our graduation ceremony this April will be two of our own - Lecturers Ra Keelan and Roimata Rokx. The New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) staff team will celebrate as Ra – our Lecturer of Māori leadership and Pacific Partnership – receives his Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and Roimata - our Kaiārahi Teaching and Learning Support Lecturer – graduates with her Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education).

Talking to the two academic staff members, described as “true gifts to NZTC staff and students” by Chief Executive Selena Fox, you realise they share more than just a sense of accomplishment for completing their qualifications. They are both patriotic East Coasters (Ra is from Ngāti Porou/Te Whānau o Apanui and Roimata Ngāti Porou/Ngāti Awa); both share a passion for tikanga Māori and have lively personalities and, as you are about to read, both have embraced every opportunity that has come their way during their time at NZTC…

NZTC: Can you tell us about your path to NZTC?

Ra: I had a taste of early childhood when I worked as a kaiārahi reo in the mid 80s. I did a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Postgrad in Māori Development, then worked in a number of education roles before being appointed as an NZTC Lecturer in 2005. I’ve always been in touch with my inner child so it was only natural I came back to ECE!

Roimata: I joined NZTC about six months after Ra - as a library and reception assistant. I really loved interacting with people all the time – especially getting to say ‘hi’ to the students as they came and went for classes. [The College] knew I was passionate about te reo Māori and approached me to ask if I could assist Ra with te reo aspects of the College-based classes, which I was only too happy to do.

NZTC: How have you grown in your roles?

Roimata: Well, I’ve gone through a few! I was promoted to the head receptionist’s position when it became available in 2007. The next year I became an Enrolments Officer, assisting with enquiries from prospective early childhood teachers. I think that’s when the seed for study was planted in my mind. Then in 2009 I was appointed in a newly developed role - Kaiārahi Teaching and Learning Support. I loved the contact with students and my passion for teaching grew. I listened to Ra and wanted to emulate him – he just had this way of explaining complex theories in simple ways – yet at the same time was still academic and professional.

Ra: I moved out of Auckland in 2011 and now conduct field practice visits and block courses throughout the mid-North Island area. I still love being a lecturer because it’s so diverse and challenging - it requires me to change perspectives constantly and adapt my practice to remain effective.  I wouldn’t be able to do my job without guidance and mentoring from my colleagues, especially Roimata.

Roimata: I took on a new task from Ra after he moved away – leading the staff waiata practices [in preparation for upcoming pōhiri and graduation ceremonies]. Before I was just strumming along on the guitar…then he left me to it!

NZTC: When did you decide ‘maybe it’s time to get a specialised ECE qualification’?

Ra: I had a very solid theoretical knowledge base, but felt I wanted to engage more in the practice side – it’d been awhile since I’d taught children. In 2012 there was a new regulation requiring lecturers who assess student-teacher practice to hold a teaching qualification, and teacher registration.  Some could have seen this as a time to move on, but I saw it as the perfect opportunity to refresh my practice in early childhood centres and gain the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education), and in doing so be better equipped to support our students.

Roimata: I had a desire to contribute to classes more than just my knowledge of biculturalism and te reo – I wanted to be able to explain theories and guide students’ development. Studying the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) was the best option for me and my family. I was pretty driven, verging on perfectionistic, in my studies.

NZTC: What was your biggest hurdle during study?

Ra: Like my peers I had to negotiate, prioritise and delegate my family obligations, work and study requirements, and so many other commitments.  Some of these were big hurdles but I just had to push myself that little bit more at times to stay on task for my goal.

Roimata: I experienced everything life could throw at you in my three years! I lost five people close to me and had an operation, all while dealing with family and full time work. Needless to say I relied on Pastoral Support a lot.

NZTC: You now know what it’s like to be a student – how has this influenced the way you teach?

Roimata: I understand what the students are going through; juggling full time work, being a parent and family issues. It’s good to have that insight. I’ve adapted a lot of my teaching to support students’ needs.

Ra: I’m being less prescriptive in assessing their learning and development. It’s compelled me to quieten my voice so that theirs is heard more... that’s probably one of my bigger challenges [laughs].

NZTC: How do you feel your qualifications have empowered you as lecturers?

Roimata: Far out! A lot! Even though I grew up with a mother who was involved in ECE, my understanding was limited. There’s so much more involved than what people think. Although it’s theory-based, the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) courses gave me lots of opportunities to reflect on what I would do if I was a teacher. It’s got me even more passionate about ensuring our students walk away with their ketes overflowing – fully equipped for their teaching journeys.

Ra: My program really supported me in building my own competencies and teaching practice, to ‘respond to the needs of children, whānau, colleagues and communities’…and students! Now I see and understand how our student teachers live out our NZTC mission each and every day.

NZTC: How do you see your working relationship today?

Roimata: I still see Ra as a mentor. Whenever I say that, he says ‘no I’m not, I’m just your friend!’ We are friends as well as colleagues – our Māori heritage connected us from day one – but I’m definitely the Robin to his Batman! [laughs]. Although he’s a true academic, Ra has a special presence – a love of people and an exuberant, slightly mischievous light. When he’s visiting our campus, everyone knows straight away; the whole mood of the office lifts!

Ra: I’ve witnessed Roimata grow as a person and as a professional and it’s been an absolute pleasure and honour. Starting as a librarian’s assistant, moving through different departments of the College, she has consistently demonstrated the values of NZTC in every single one of her roles – including that of being a student.  We have an amazing tuakana-teina (mentor-mentee) relationship but what many do not realise is that I'm the mentee because she role models excellence in all respects, and that's what I continue to work towards.

NZTC: Any final words now that you’re moving into the next phase of your professional journey?

Roimata: A big thanks to NZTC. From the accountants to the IT team, everyone at the College has been behind us 100% of the way. Me kī, ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa taki tini (Māori proverb: ‘My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but the success of a collective’).

Ra: My qualification is going to benefit me beyond what I can measure. I have absolutely loved this journey and look forward to the next.  Ngā mihi nui ki wa tatou whānau whanui - thank you to the wider College family for your support and belief in us.