Tēnā koutou katoa.
Ko Raewyn Higginson tōku ingoa. 
Kei Kirikiriroa ahau e noho ana.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.

Qualifications

  • Te Ara Reo Māori (Level 4)
    Wananga o Aotearoa, 2016

  • Master of Education (Hons.)
    University of Auckland, 2003

Location

Kirikiriroa REC | Hamilton REC 

Raewyn Higginson

Lecturer | Kaiako

Biography

Role

Raewyn is the lecturer for stage three of the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE), leading a team of kaiako who lecture and teach these courses. She writes and revises courses annually and peer reviews other courses. In the past, she has also held the role of course leader.  

Education background

Raewyn has been teaching and researching for over 35 years. Her roles have included teacher and team leader in primary and intermediate schools; Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour, Resource Teacher: Autism and Special Education Advisor; and lecturer in early childhood education. She has also worked as a research assistant at the University of Auckland, involved with a number of education projects. 

Research background

Raewyn is interested in children with autism and how to include them in early childhood education settings and schools. Recently, Raewyn has undertaken research into how teachers in mainstream ECE settings include children with autism.  

Teaching interests

Raewyn always wanted to be a teacher and is passionate about inclusive education. She believes all children have a right to be a part of an education setting, be it mainstream or Māori medium. Raewyn’s early teaching experiences in low decile schools have given her the opportunity to view society from different perspectives. Her ability to manage difficult classes, inspired her move into Special Education (as it was known then) and inclusive education.

Recent publications

  • Ryder, D., Davitt, G., Higginson, R., Smorti, S., Smith, M., & Carroll-Lind, J. (2017). Poutoko whakatipu: Whakamanahia ngā poutolo kōhungahunga hei hautūtanga toitū. Leaders growing leaders: Effective early childhood leaders for sustainable leadership. Wellington: Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand. 

  • Higginson, R. (2019). Walking the talk: Leadership in Early Childhood settings. Early Education, 65, 11-16.

  • Higginson, R. (2020). Top ten tips for teaching children with ASD. Tango Rima, 4, 1-3

  • Higginson, R.M., & Chatfield, M. (2012). Together we can do it: A professional development project for regular teachers’ of children with autism spectrum disorder. Kairaranga, 13 (2), 29-37.