Role

Daniel is the Regional Education Leader (REL) in Whakatū Nelson. In this role he leads, supports and teaches alongside the Whakatū team. Daniel is also responsible for community networking and outreach, teaching, and pastoral care of students, so that our tauira receive the best teaching and learning that we can provide.

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Education Background

Daniel’s background is different to many in education. In 2009, after working as an electrician then as an electrical engineer, Daniel moved into early childhood education (ECE). Following that move he worked as a kaiako in private centres, and a kindergarten. While teaching he completed his Masters, then became a full-time student and completed his doctorate. Following his doctorate, Daniel worked as head kaiako, then as curriculum leader for a non-profit ECE organisation.

Throughout Daniel’s time in education he has also lectured and tutored at Universities, facilitated PLD, been involved in research, and been on advisory boards for the Ministry of Education and for private organisations.

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Research Background

Daniel has been involved in large research projects that focused on the development of young children’s working theories, and on supporting children who learn in more than one language. Daniel loves to see and hear young children’s thinking and ideas, and then gently challenging their thinking, or facilitating groups of children as they theorise together.

Daniel’s Masters research focused on the effect of disequilibrium on children’s working theories using a constructivist perspective. His Doctoral research then built on his Masters research by investigating how children’s working theories are developed, and exploring ways that teachers can support the development and refinement of children’s working theories using a sociocultural perspective.

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Teaching Interests

Daniel has a passion to support people to succeed. Originally, he thought this passion was focused on young children, but over time he has realised that his passion to support and see people succeed extends to all ages.

Daniel loves Te Whāriki, and the framework and freedom that curriculum provides. At the same time, he recognises that Te Whāriki is a complex document requiring deep knowledge and understanding to implement effectively. Daniel wants to see our tauira and kaiako developing in-depth knowledge and insights into Te Whāriki and see it put into practice.

Daniel considers himself an eternal learner. He loves to read, reflect and critique. As part of being an eternal learner Daniel enjoys being involved in research that he believes gives us a foundation to make informed judgements and underpin arguments with a sound basis to make the ECE sector a wonderful place for all.