Biography
Role
Ira is the leader of Mātauranga Māori 1, 2, 3, and she teaches across other primary course papers, as required, e.g. PTPT1, 3; GradDip Primary GPCR1. Ira is in the privileged position of leading the primary Mātauranga Māori papers. This involves the ongoing review, critique, and development of these pivotal papers, whilst ensuring the teaching is of a highly professional quality.
Education background
She has worked in the education sector for 25 years as a teacher and educational facilitator. Ira has held key roles in national environmental education; wide-experience in community-led projects across the country; primary schools and secondary. Her greatest career success and highlight was leading a national freshwater education programme for 12 years from 2002 – 2014. Her diverse teaching background and extensive background working with multi-agencies, groups, schools and communities has fostered the enthusiasm and drive I have for integrated curriculum and best practice in holistic teaching and learning.
Research background
Ira has been involved in the primary research team early on. Her studies focus on tertiary teaching and learning, with an interest in professional mentoring.
Teaching interests
Ira has been passionate about becoming a teacher since the age of ten years! She always remembers and often recalls a great line that one of her lecturers stated, “we BECOME teachers”. She interpreted this statement as meaning, that once you gain an educational qualification, it doesn’t stop there. "We continue to become the best teachers we can possibly be. I am constantly on a learning journey to improve and get better at what I do. My teaching philosophy has been shaped by my own educational and work experiences – I have had passionate, professional, exceptional role models and I am privileged and grateful to continue to be working and learning amongst the best."