Role

Richelle is a Kaiako for the Bachelor of Teaching Primary programme.

Education Background

She began her mahi in ECE over 30 years ago as a kaiawhina in Kohanga Reo at Ōnuku Marae, this ignited her passion for working with tamariki and whanau. she has since worked in a range of settings in ECE and Primary and advocates for quality bicultural education in mainstream settings. Richelle is deeply committed to ensuring our whanau Māori wishes and aspirations for their tamariki are upheld and Te Tiriti o Waitangi leads the way.

She has worked in a range of Early Childhood settings and completed her Bachelor of Teaching and Learning in 2003. “After having our 2 sons I completed my Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning Primary. I have 9 years experience in Primary and leadership roles, including Curriculum Development and Lead of Māori success.” In 2021 Richelle received her Graduate Diploma in Māori Language & Pedagogies: Aumiri Pounamu.

Teaching Interests

Richelle is interested in investigating the experiences and perspectives of Māori language learners and the factors that facilitate or hinder their learning journey. She is passionate about developing and evaluating curriculum frameworks for teaching Te Reo Māori that is deeply embedded in Kaupapa Māori and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy.

“I am inspired and motivated by own whanau experiences in education, including my Pāpā who grew up in Northland in the 1950s and 1960s, I believe when we build strong relationships (whakawhanaungatanga) and teach the whole child we can instil a sense of mana and enhance hauora, by embodying Kaupapa Māori principles we can create learning environments that supports the academic, cultural and personal growth of all ākonga.i This provides the necessary platform for our tamariki to flourish and grow as confident and life long learners. Mā te Huruhuru, ka rere te manu – Adorn the bird with feathers and it will fly”