Whakawhanaungatanga

Getting to Know My Learners

Whakawhanaungatanga is the process of building relationships and connections. In my practice, understanding each learner — their hauora, their identity, their story — is the foundation upon which all learning is built.

My School

[A description of your school, its values, and community.]

My Classroom

[Your classroom environment, resources, and cultural displays.]

My Learners

[Information about your students — their strengths, needs, and cultural backgrounds.]

Cultural Considerations

[Describe the cultural diversity of your learners, how you honour their identities, and how you weave tikanga Māori into the classroom environment and daily routines.]

Classroom Layout

[Drawing or photo of the classroom layout, annotated with the thinking behind it — where the mat is, group tables, quiet corner, displays, etc. KTT 12.]

[Insert annotated layout image here]

Rationale: [Explain why the room is arranged this way — flow, visibility, accessibility, cultural displays.]

Initial Conversations With My Mentor Teacher

A record of the expectation-setting conversations from the first three weeks (KTT 4).

  • Arrival & departure times: [agreed times]
  • What "using my initiative" looks like in this classroom: [notes]
  • Communication preferences: [email / in-person / etc.]
  • Planning and feedback cycle: [when plans are due, when feedback happens]
  • Mentor's expectations of me: [notes]
  • My questions and what I'd like to learn: [notes]