Published 3rd January 2023

Just a quick message to wish a happy New Year to you and your whānau.
I’m writing this from a beach in the Far North of Aotearoa, surrounded by all my nieces and nephews. The weather hasn’t been great, but we’ve been playing a LOT of the card game Monopoly Deal. If you don’t know it- go buy it. It’s SO much fun, we love it in our whānau.

I wanted to share with you a couple of questions I’m asking myself as I look ahead at a year of teaching and creating on Online Kapa Haka. There are a HEAP of new lessons I’m looking forward to sharing on the platform targeted directly at the Te Reo Achievement Objectives. These are going to be rolled out in Term 1 so watch this space! 

Nau mai haere mai!

The first question I’ve been pondering is this: 

What do I want MORE of in 2023? 

Specifically in my classroom or learning space? What worked well in class last year that I want to double down on this year? What kind of educator do I aspire to be this year?

For me, I really enjoyed listening to the questions and curiosities of my students. Hearing what specifically interested them in my lessons, the learning was richer because there was a conversation in the room about it and their retention increased. I want more of that!

Kā kite!

The second question I’m thinking about is: 

What do I want to say GOODBYE to? What do I want less of?

For me, I want to say kā kite/good bye to the need to get everything right. I feel it can hinder me at times to try and get things perfect or to know all the answers with my students. I want to embrace using what I have and doing the best I can with that.

What are your answers to these two questions? 

I’d love to hear what you’re thinking or excited about for 2023 and I also hope you’re taking some time to relax and reset! 

Enjoy a well deserved break and I’ll see you very soon,

Justin 

PS (Seriously, go and find Monopoly deal, you can thank me later!!)