[Professional time] means that I can strengthen and support the learning for our Maori tamariki.

What does professional time mean for you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

Professional time (PT) means that I can learn more, I have been using PT time to mahi on Poutama Pounamou and Te Ahu O Te reo and that’s just for starters.

This mahi is important and means that I can strengthen and support the learning for our Maori tamariki. However, this does come at a cost of using many hours of my own time to compensate for all of the additional work that a Head Teacher has to undertake. At the cost of burnout. How will our tamariki be supported when all the passionate kaiako are burnt out?

What will it take to fix the limitations on professional time?

More PT especially for kaiako matua who have lots of kaiako to support.

When we fix professional time, what impact will that change have on you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

I will be able to do more with the extra time and not be so stressed. I might be able to turn over at night and not think about mahi. I will be more refreshed and able to give that extra energy to our tamariki.