Wednesday, 14 February 2018

Maori Giftedness

This morning I came across some readings about Maori giftedness that really inspired me. 
Here are the links to what I was reading:

Mana Tu, Mana Ora, Identifying Characteristics of Maori Giftedness
http://slideplayer.com/slide/3932465/

I also found the notes for each slide very interesting!

And....

Maori Perspectives of Giftedness and Talent in Aotearoa
http://coroarea.school.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Maori-One-Size-Copy.ppt.pdf

I was horrified to read that in according to Keen (2001), Maori children were identified as gifted and talented at about half the rate of Europeans and Asians. I wonder if this has improved since then. I also wonder by whose criteria were these gifted Maori students being measured? Their level of giftedness should reflect their own identity, language and culture. The readings suggest that Maori could be identified as gifted in the following areas: Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Wairuatanga, Kaitiakitanga, Rangatiratanga, Matauranga, Te Mahi Rehia andTikanga and these a broken down more specifically with criteria. 
I absolutely loved this idea and can really see its value and importance in schools.
It would be my wish begin working with our staff towards developing some kind of framework for our own school that is centred around these values and this criteria.
This is an area of passion for me. I think about many Maori students who struggle in mainstream education where their culture and identity are not valued. Many who fail or believe they are a failure because they don't measure up in a system that they do not connect to or feel they belong with. They should be measured against their ability to lead people in all things THEY value most. According to Doidge (1990), that may include aroha, manaaki, whaikorero and mana.
I am very excited to be on this journey and I look forward to reading more ways that I can celebrate the success of my Maori students AS Maori!

Links to The Code of Professional Responsibility:
1. Commitment to the teaching profession- 1.4
2. Commitment to learning- 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6.
3. Commitment to families and Whanau- 3.3
4. Commitment to Society- 4.1, 4.2

Links to professional standards:
1. Tiriti o Waitangi partnership- All bullet points
2. Professional learning- Bullet points 1,2,3,4
3. Professional Relationships- Bullet point 3
4. Learning-Focused culture- Bullet points 5,6
5. Design for learning- Bullet points 3, 4
6. Teaching- Bullet point 2



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