Biography
Role
Hongwei teaches in the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) programme, supporting students as they work towards their qualification and future professional teaching in ECE. She also teaches in our International Online Study Tour Progammes. In addition, Hongwei is responsible for developing international relationships for Te Rito Maioha as a provider of high quality, culturally unique, international initial teacher educational programmes.
Education background
Hongwei began her education career as a primary school teacher in China, then moved to early childhood education, tertiary teaching, and international educational development in New Zealand. As part of an international professional development team at the University of Waikato, in 2019-20 she worked with Chinese Kindergarten teachers to unpack New Zealand ECE and its curriculum for their localised, play-based teaching and learning. She joined Te Rito Maioha in 2021, and gained support to translate Te Whāriki, New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum into Mandarin.
Research background
Hongwei’s research interests include learner-centred teaching and learning and understanding Te Whāriki from multi-cultural perspectives. She builds on her experience working in the global education field, sharing philosophies and curriculums between New Zealand and China. In her Master’s research, Hongwei focused on learning stories as a pedagogical approach to help Chinese kindergarten teachers to conceptualise play-based learning.
Teaching interests
As a lecturer and an ECE practitioner, Hongwei is committed to a learner-centred approach respecting students’ individual needs as learners. She aims to build genuine and professional relationships with her teaching students, to foster confident and capable ECE kaiako for children in New Zealand and other countries.
Recent publications
- Mandarin Translation of Te whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum (Nov, 2021)
- Dissertation Research Master Thesis “Understanding how Kindergarten Teachers in China Conceptualise Play-based Learning: A Learning Story Analysis” (May 2020-2021)