Biography
Role
Currently, Sandra works as kaiārahi marautanga, senior pouako, and course leader for Te Hā o te Iwi Mātauranga: Teaching and Learning stage one and two of the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education). The main part of her role is to oversee and deliver high quality teaching and learning alongside reviewing courses. She leads and supports a team of pouako.
Sandra’s teaching values are guided by the tikanga principle manaakitanga to support tauira in their experiences with the online classroom platform, He Pataka Reo, and noho marae. She also visits tauira in their home centres and practicum to support their learning.
Education background
Sandra has over 30 years of experience in Te Kōhanga Reo, including student, kaiako, educator, programme leader, course leader, and senior pouako. As a kaiako, she worked in the Te Kōhanga Reo movement for twenty-five years, working with tamariki and whānau.
It was in the year 2007 when Sandra joined Te Rito Maioha. Since then she has held many roles including a base-coordinator, kaiako, programme coordinator and pouako in Graduate Certificate Infant and Toddlers programme, pouako for the Graduate Diploma (Early Childhood Education) and a cultural leader.
Research background
In her master’s research, Sandra focused on ‘how graduands maintain use of te reo Māori me ngā tikanga in their teaching practice beyond initial teacher education’. Sandra and her colleague researched on the bicultural practices and co-teaching as Māori and English lecturers. The participants of this research were a cohort of tauira in the Graduate Certificate programme.
Her research interests are around kaupapa Māori, te reo Māori me ōna tikanga Māori that strengthens Māori and all to succeed in education.
Teaching interests
As a senior pouako and kaiārahi marautanga, Sandra is committed to growing leadership in the pouako teaching team. The values of kaitiakitanga and kotahitanga underpin developing future leaders.
Sandra is passionate to inspire teachers to learn and explore Mātauranga Māori. She believes social connection with tauira in the online programme enables positive learning. Sandra is committed to implement He Pataka Reo wānanga and learning opportunities as part of her teaching practice.
Recent publications
- International presentation: Tuhakaraina, S. (2022, March 1-2). Karawhiua. Mobilizing te reo Māori. [Conference session]. Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity, Hawaii.
- Robinson, L., Tuhakaraina, S., Loveridge, J. (2021). Biculturalism in Action: Opening Teachers’ Hearts and Minds. Review of Disability Studies.
- Tuhakaraina, S. (2020). Tōku reo, tōku puāwai. My language, my blossoming. In A. Card & J. Carroll-Lind (Eds.), Tōku anō reo Māori: My very own language. Occasional Paper Series 3 (pp. 47-50). Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand.
- Tuhakaraina, S., & Dayman, T. (2020). Whiria te tangata, whiria te reo Māori: Weaving people, weaving the Māori language. In A. Card & J. Carroll-Lind (Eds.), Tōku anō reo Māori: My very own language. Occasional Paper Series 3 (pp. 91-100). Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand.
- Tuhakaraina, S. (2015). Whanaungatanga. In N. Williams, J. Carroll-Lind, & L. Smith (Eds.). Tōku anō ao Māori: My very own world. (pp. 85-91). Wellington, New Zealand: Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand.