The Teach First NZ Programme
What attracts you to the Teach First NZ Programme?Click on a motivation statement to find out about the journey from that perspective.
Nadeen Papali'i
Cohort 2013, Mathematics Teacher at Tangaroa College“Talofa, my name is Nadeen, and I teach Maths at Tangaroa College. What made me explore the Teach First NZ Programme was the leadership development opportunity. I was grateful that I could have this support and growth take place as I served my local community.”
Prior to the Teach First NZ Programme, Nadeen completed her Masters of Engineering at the University of Auckland and a was a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth award.
The programme
01 Summer Intensive
The programme starts in November with the Summer Intensive, a cohesive and immersive intensive which weaves together whakawhanaungatanga, the Ako Mātātupu vision, and the Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching qualification. The aim is to provide a world-class experience which prepares you to meet the needs of your students, as well as to engage with key stakeholders.
"It’s called an intensive for a reason - it’s intense! This really kickstarts the huge growth you go through on the programme, and it's the foundation for being able to serve the young people in front of you."
02 Year 1 - Learning to Teach
After SII, you’ll begin teaching in your partner school in late January on a full salary. To accelerate your growth as a teacher, you will teach 60 percent of a full-time teaching load, receive 4 hours per week of in-school mentoring support, whilst completing ongoing study towards your Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching.
"Teaching has taught me so much. It’s taught me how to be adaptive, how to question and how to critique, which helps me to come up with better solutions. Every day, I learn from the colleagues around me, and most of all from my students."
03 Year 2 - Learning to Lead
In your second year, the focus will be on your contribution to creating lasting social change, and will include a practice-based leadership project which you will design to uniquely serve your school community in a sustainable manner. Throughout the year you will implement this project, culminating in November with a Symposium, where you will present to all key stakeholders.
"I'm not the same person that started this programme. I've had the privilege to grow into leadership spaces, and work with the community to begin really exciting initiatives to benefit our students."
04 Graduate from the programme
After completing your two years on the programme, you will join our Kairapu Movement and continue to make social impact. The educational inequality we’re working to address is complex and ever-changing, so we support you to fight for equality in whatever way you choose. As part of the global Teach For All network, you will join over 50,000 alumni working towards equity.
“Being a part of this movement makes you realise that you’re one of many working on the front-line towards a better world for our next generation.”
Recruitment process
Apply Online
Applications for the 2021 cohort are now open.
The application form is your first chance to share your story: your experiences and motivations for working towards educational equality.
Phone Interview
Ongoing
Successful applicants will be invited to a phone interview within 3 weeks of submitting their application.
Ako Centre
Monthly
The final stage of our recruitment process is a full day Ako Centre.