Wairau Intermediate School

My purpose of this experience was to obtain extensive, international experience implementing and teaching technology. I had plenty of experience in primary grades, but Years 7/8, in a foreign country, was my new challenge. The class had a class set of Chromebooks, but only about a 1/2 class set of iPads. However, this class also used the school's Tech room on a weekly basis for differentiated programs students can access during Independent Learning (IL).

A few fun facts about my teaching experience at Wairau in 2018:

• Class size: 28 students, although there are just under 300 students total.

• Backgrounds: range from a variety of demographics including Maori, Asian, and European cultures.

• The school has 3 different "Blocks" / buildings, each containing 3-4 classrooms

• Every Friday there is a School Assembly and Block Assembly.

  • School Assembly: beginning with the national anthem and led by the school leaders, the school as a whole learns about current events, orchestrates school-wide events (Literature Book competition), delivers awards, the opportunities are endless!

  • Block Assembly: students can share announcements, awards (class, school, or national), accomplishments (sports wins, concert performances, etc.), and talents! We had a few girls volunteer to play the ukulele and the piano.

• Students are extremely independent and extraordinary learners.

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Global Gateways Program

Our Global Gateway for Teachers is designed to give students those multicultural student experiences while also fulfilling their degree requirements for student teaching. Participants have the opportunity to serve as student teachers in culturally diverse settings that include Chicago, the American Southwest, and 18 countries around the world.

Our "cultural immersion" programs are recognized as some of the most rigorous and innovative study abroad experiences available. 

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Why New Zealand?

I chose to student teach in New Zealand because I am a risk taker, adventurer, and ready to explore the world. New Zealand is known for their rapid increase in technology integration in the classrooms. Most of the schools in New Zealand have access to such technology advancing their classrooms and becoming 1:1, country-wide. As a computer educator, this is extremely impressive and I was beyond curious to learn ways I can grow through this cultural experience. The Ministry of Education funds Enrollment for Education Solutions which is a recent movement the country has promoted and encouraged e-learning, video conferencing, and technology implementation in classrooms of all ages.

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