Serve your community
Charles Looker
Cohort 2016, taught Te Reo Māori at Onehunga High School"Kia ora, I’m Charles. I joined the Teach First NZ Programme because of my desire to make a positive difference in our communities. I myself attended a lower decile school in South Auckland and have lived there most of my life. I know first hand some of the inequalities our young people and their whānau experience, and I am here to contribute towards positive change in my community.”
Prior to the Teach First NZ Programme Charles was a mentor, musician and creative storyteller, working in the spaces where Te Reo Māori and equity intersect.
The programme
01 Summer Initial Intensive
The programme starts in November with the Summer Initial Intensive (SII), a cohesive and immersive intensive which weaves together whakawhanaungatanga, the Ako Mātātupu vision, and the Masters of Teaching and Education Leadership 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.
"What really spoke to me over the intensive was the sense of belonging: the whole cohort was learning and growing so much together, with aroha and good humour. The food was mean too!"
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 Masters of Teaching and Education Leadership (MTEL) qualification.
"During the first year of the programme, there was so much support around me as I focussed on how best to create spaces for our rangatahi to thrive inside the classroom, and help to them understand that the feathers they have allow them to fly."
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.
“In my second year I had the opportunity to lead a Polyfest group, tutor Kapa Haka, as well as running Maori Performing Arts as a subject, and starting a Kiorahi team. For me, this was about students finding their voice, and developing as leaders.”
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.
“I’m currently working towards the Ako Mātātupu vision by preserving Matauranga Maori through music, and creating spaces for rangatahi to share their stories within our community.”
Recruitment process
Apply Online
9th September
Our online application is your first chance to share your story. Applications close at midnight on 9th September.
Phone Interview
11th - 16th September
Successful applicants will be invited to a phone interview. Interviews will take place between the 11th and 16th September.
Ako Centre
21st - 26th September
The final stage of our recruitment process is a full day assessment centre. These will be held between the 21st and 26th September.