Beliefs – Perspective from Kaa Williams
Me pēhea taku whai kia ngaio aku mahi tahi ki ngā pouako, ki ngā hoamahi, e noho ai ko ngā hiahia o ngā ākonga ki mua, engari me te ū anō ki ngā kaupapa Māori?
E toru ngā take kei roto i tēnei pātai. Ko tērā e pā ana ki ngā pāhekoheko ngaiotanga i waenga i ngā hoa mahi, i ngā kaiwhakaako, ko tērā e pā ana ki ngā kōingo o ngā ākonga, me te noho pono ki te kaupapa Māori.
Ki taku titiro, karekau he whakapātaritari, he whakatumatuma i waenganui i ēnei kaupapa. Kāore hoki he wehewehenga. He kaupapa kotahi, e mahi tahi ai ki te tuitui i ngā mātauranga ahakoa Pākeha, ahakoa Māori, hei painga mo te ākonga.
Ka kapo ake i te pohewa ataahua o te ‘whakakanikani i te whakaaro’. Tukuna kia rere ngā kare-ā-roto, te kōhara, te nekehanga, te rongo i te kotahi o ngā whakaaro, i runga i te mahi ngātahi.
Manaakihia ngā mātauranga Māori, ngā tikanga Māori, me te wairua Māori o ngā mahinga. Aro tonu ki te ngaiōtanga o te mahinga kaiwhakaako ā kia mau tonu hoki ki ōu ake whakaaro.
How can I ensure my interactions with teachers and colleagues are professional and keep students' needs to the fore while being true to kaupapa Māori?
There are three aspects to this question. There is the one that pertains to professional interactions between colleagues, between teachers. There is that which relates to aspirations for students, and there is one about remaining committed to kaupapa Māori.
To my way of thinking, there is no conflict, no issue of challenge, between these aspects. There is no division. They work as one to tie together knowledge, whether Pākehā or Māori, to lead to beneficial outcomes for the student.
By taking hold of the wonderful imagery bound up in the concept of a “dance in the mind”, one can give expression to emotion, passion, moving, and feeling as one works in unison with another.
Take care of Māori knowledge, Māori traditions, and Māori spiritual perspectives embodied within your work. Be cognisant of your professionalism and of holding fast to what you believe in.
