Job sheet: Kura Kaupapa
Job title
Primary Teacher (Kura kaupapa Maori and Bilingual)
Kura Kaupapa Maori (Maori Medium) - This job requires applicants to
teach through the medium of te reo Maori - (81-100% of instruction)
across all curriculum areas. A high level of language
proficiency is required.
Bilingual (English Medium) - This job is to teach children from mainstream early childhood programmes who may benefit from learning in a Maori context. The bilingual classes consist of 31-50% instruction given in M?ori.
Job description
Teachers of Maori help to:
- increase participation of whanau, hap? and iwi groups in
education
- raise expectations leading to higher educational achievement
for M?ori
- develop capacity of Maori and their organisations to develop
their own education programmes.
Qualifications required
Entry Requirements
To enter a teacher training programme you will need a tertiary entrance qualification. Entry requirements may vary so check with your training provider.
To become a registered Primary teacher (Years 1 to 8) you will need one of the following:
- a three-year Bachelor of Education (Teaching) or
equivalent
- a degree plus a one-year Graduate Diploma of
Teaching
- a four-year conjoint degree that combines study in teaching
subjects with teacher training.
In addition to being a registered Primary teacher, you will also need to be fluent in te reo Maori to be a Kura kaupapa Maori teacher (Maori medium school, Years 1 to 8).
Training on the job
Teachers must undertake relevant ongoing professional development and maintain professional practice. This can be done through internal or external courses, workshops and seminars. To find out more, visit the New Zealand Teachers Council website www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz.
The Maori Immersion Teacher Allowance (MITA) is a salary allowance (equivalent to one salary unit p.a.) for teachers who use te reo Maori as the language of communication and instruction. To qualify teachers must:
- be employed in a permanent full-time position or
full-time relieving position;
- teach immersion programmes at Levels 1 (81%-100%), 2
(51% - 80%), or 3 (31% - 50%).
Application forms are available on the Ministry of Education website www.minedu.govt.nz
Registration
Once qualified, teachers must apply for teacher registration
from the New Zealand Teachers Council. After two years of support
and guidance as a teacher they can apply for and gain full teachers
registration. To find out more, visit the New Zealand
Teachers Council website
www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz
Training costs
Training costs vary, however it will cost approximately $4,500 per year to complete:
- a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) or equivalent
- a degree plus a one-year Graduate Diploma of
Teaching
- a four-year conjoint degree that combines study in teaching
subjects with teacher training.
Location of job
Growing numbers of Maori students are enrolled in Kura Kaupapa (Maori medium schools) and bilingual and Maori language immersion classes in mainstream schools.
Kura Kaupapa Maori (Maori medium schools) and bilingual and Maori language immersion teachers work throughout New Zealand.
Career path
Experience and training can help you progress in this job. There are many career paths available and you can move into different educational roles such as head teacher, management, professional support-development, etc.
Salary range
Salary depends on qualifications, setting and geographic location. Visit the Ministry of Education website for more information www.minedu.govt.nz
Other careers this profession could lead to
- University lecturer
- Teacher of Community classes
- Researcher
- Can work for a Government agency (e.g. management and admin of
M?ori Education, curriculum development or policy work)
- Can work for a training organisation associated with Maori
Education
- Can up-skill and work in other teaching sectors (e.g.
secondary)
- Advisory roles such as Education Review Officer
How to increase the chances of successfully entering this
industry
Useful experience includes:
- work with Maori groups
- Maori language courses
- marae work
- work with young people
- counseling
- work with people with disabilities
- community work
Places to source information about this job
Visit the TeachNZ website -
www.teachnz.govt.nz
Ministry of Education website
www.minedu.govt.nz and the New
Zealand Teachers Council website
www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz
Also talk to current and recent student teachers, experienced teachers or principals can be a great help in making a decision on whether teaching is for you. As well as:
Pouwhakataki (Maori community liaison
officers)
Pouwhakataki are contracted by the Ministry of Education to
encourage Maori into early childhood, primary and secondary
teaching. There are more than 20 Pouwhakataki based in various
locations throughout New Zealand. They work face-to-face with Maori
and educators helping to build relationships.
Pouwhakataki have a huge array of education information and
contacts to help wh?nau, hap? and iwi get the most out of education
whether they're a parent, student, second chance learner or
teacher.
Maori liaison officers at teacher education
providers.
These days most tertiary institutions including teacher education
providers employ M?ori liaison officers to help with course
selection and ongoing support during your programme of study.
Before enrolling, check out the M?ori support available at your
provider.
Other relevant points
TeachNZ offers scholarships to people who want to train as Maori medium teachers. Visit www.teachnz.govt.nz for more information.
