2024 PCT Beginning Teacher Programmes

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First Year PCT Programme

(for Teachers who teach 0-3 Year Students)

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First Year PCT Programme

(for Teachers who teach 4-8 Year Students)

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Second Year PCT Programme

(for Teachers who teach 0-3 Year Students)

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Starting Back!

Second Year PCT Programme

(for Teachers who teach 4-8 Year Students)

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Mid Year Entry “Getting Started” Programme

(First Year PCT 0-3 Year and 4-8 Year Teachers)

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First Year PCT Programme

(for Teachers who teach 0-3 Year Students)

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First Year PCT Programme

(for Teachers who teach 4-8 Year Students)

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Facilitators

Lucie Cheeseman

Lucie Cheeseman

Lucie has been a mathematics facilitator for the past 12 years presenting at Leadership conferences, PCT courses, National conferences and within many varied schools across Auckland. She has a special interest in acceleration programmes in mathematics, curriculum leadership, developing professional learning groups, enabling student agency and whanau connections. Lucie has been facilitating PCT courses for many years and is enthusiastic about igniting the passion and enthusiasm of our newest teachers. But above all else Lucie has a passion for nurturing children’s and teachers love and interest in the creativity of mathematics.

Jo Williams

Jo Williams

Jo has been teaching for over 20 years. In the last 14 years Jo has mentored and advised PCTs as part of their Induction and Mentoring Programme at Kohia Education Centre at the University of Auckland, as well as North Shore and for Learning Network in West Auckland. Alongside this role Jo also runs specialised courses for new entrant teachers. Her strengths lie in developing early numeracy and literacy skills. Jo has been a One Day School teacher, working in gifted and talented education and brings this experience to share with beginning teachers to develop questioning, inquiry and thinking skills in their own learning environments. She has also been an Ells (ESOL) teacher.

Alison Miller

Alison’s background and experience involves adult and tertiary education programme planning and course design. Previously employed at Air New Zealand’s Technical and Commercial Training Schools and Kohia Education Centre at the University of Auckland where she directed professional development programmes working with Early Childhood, New Entrant and Junior Primary teachers.

As a registered teacher and senior evaluative lecturer at AUT Alison assesses, evaluates, guides and supports tertiary students in their professional teaching growth. Her strengths include educational administration, planning, development, mentoring and assessment, skills that she brings to developing the PCT Manukau Programmes. 

Jill Smythe

Jill Smythe

Jill is an accomplished practitioner with considerable experience as a primary and intermediate classroom teacher. She previously spent three years as a maths learning and development facilitator with Team Solutions and has been a professional teaching fellow at the Faculty of Education, University of Auckland. Jill worked with the Ministry of Education to develop the Accelerated Learning in Maths Programme (ALiM). Her expertise is centred around increasing teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge so that they can affect greater change in their students’ understanding of concepts and accelerate progress in maths learning.
Juliette Laird

Juliette Laird

I look forward to working with PCTs on making The Arts a tool for teaching and learning. I have been teaching Visual Art at Intermediate level for 10 years, also facilitating art from Year 0 upwards and have 12 years experience as a Junior classroom teacher. I feel passionate about the value of including The Arts as a powerful means for children to inquire and learn across the curriculum. From my own and others’ research I know that The Arts matter and are a great way to engage children. Having led a number of PCT workshops at Kohia Education Centre as part of the programme mentored by Jo Williams, I know teachers have taken away ideas that they could use immediately as well as strategies to incorporate The Arts into units and themes.

Raewyn Flynn

Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Tutumoe tōku maunga. Ko Kaihu tōku awa. Ko Te Waiariki tōku hapū. 

Ko Huruhurmanu tōku waka. Ko Raewyn Flynn tōku ingoa. I have been involved in education for more than 25 years working with children from early childhood to year 8, as well as with groups of adults. In furthering my own education it was a natural move learning te reo Māori and integrating it into my teaching practice. I also undertook the role of Kaiarahi at my school to support others in their journey of integrating te reo schoolwide. I am very happy to be part of this PCT facilitation team supporting kaiako to integrate more te reo Māori into their learning spaces. Ngā mihi nui, Raewyn. 

Glenn Pressnell

Glenn Pressnell

Glenn has been teaching at Owairaka Primary School, Mt Albert for 13 years. During this time he has developed extensive knowledge on how to effectively and efficiently utilise technology in classroom settings, from both a cyber safety aspect and by researching the best websites available. Owairaka Primary School was one of the first schools to attach themselves to an ICT cluster (Ako Hiko) with Year 4-6 students having access to one-on-one devices. Integrating digital technology throughout the curriculum is very much a part of Glenn’s teaching approach as well as it being part of Owairaka Primary School’s philosophy. Glenn has supported teachers as they navigate their way through digital technology, and has been involved in all new digital initiatives that Owairaka Primary School has engaged in during the past 13 years.
Virginia Best

Virginia Best

Virginia is an experienced teacher, connecting children with the natural environment, this includes her support for the ‘Enviroschools Programme’. She has a passion for the outdoors, believing that children should first engage with their environment with a view to understanding how to care for it. This engagement with the outdoors becomes an inspiration for literacy, maths, science and the arts. Virginia has assisted in setting up and managing the Garden to Table Programme in two Auckland schools; she regularly works with Auckland Council in her capacity as a Centre Educator at Arataki, Waitakere Ranges, teaching and guiding council members about the natural environment. Virginia will provide teachers with simple hands-on sensory activities connecting tamariki to their natural world, her approach is summed up by the whakatauki: Ko au te taiao, te taiao ko au (I am nature, nature is me).

Sarah Valintine

Sarah Valintine

For the past three years Sarah has facilitated workshops in Literacy and also in Integrating the Arts and Teaching as Inquiry. She is passionate about empowering PCT’s on their journey to becoming fully registered teachers and developing effective and balanced programmes to meet the needs of diverse learners. Sarah has led a Literacy team at Mt Roskill Primary and Intermediate Schools with a special focus around accelerating student achievement in Literacy; she currently works at Ponsonby Intermediate School as an English specialist teacher when she is not mentoring and facilitating workshops. Sarah’s workshops are designed to engage teachers with practical tools, creative ideas and lots of rich discussion.

Sheena Cameron

Sheena Cameron

Tēnā koutou katoa Ko Tāwhirirangi te maunga Ko Mōhaka te awa Ko Sheena is an experienced teacher who has taught at primary, intermediate and tertiary levels. Sheena currently facilitates literacy workshops both in New Zealand and internationally, and with Louise Dempsey has co-authored a number of books including Teaching Reading Comprehension Strategies (2009), The Writing Book (2013) and The Reading Book (2019).

Robyn McQueen

Robyn McQueen is a classroom music specialist, mentor, writer and workshop presenter. Originally a primary classroom teacher, she has taught from early childhood to year 10, as well as in community settings. Robyn is active in the music education community, especially through ONZA (Orff New Zealand Aotearoa), she is a past president and current committee member. Robyn’s recent achievement concerns completing her MEd through Waikato University. Robyn is passionate about supporting schools and teachers to keep music alive in the curriculum.

Saga Frost

Saga Frost

Saga’s teaching experience includes mainstream Intermediate and Primary School levels together with specialised Samoan bilingual teaching. One of the highlights of her role as a Samoan bilingual teacher has been to successfully organise two overseas trips to Samoa in 2016 and 2018. She is currently a Year 5 and Year 6 Team Leader at Robertson Road School, Mangere East. Saga has served on the Board of Trustees of several Auckland Central Schools, both as a parent representative for seven years and a staff representative for two years. She is a Within Schools leader and Junior PE and Health Curriculum leader. Saga is actively involved with communities where her abilities and passion for change inspires Pasifika students to succeed to their full potential. Her personal goal is to nurture and grow great teachers.

Graham Cox

Graham has over 20 years teaching experience, including leadership roles. He has taught in West Auckland most of this time and is a Westie at heart. Graham runs his school’s sports and performing arts programmes. He has taught every year group from new entrants to year six. His strengths are varied, at the heart of his classroom is engagement and boosting self esteem; he uses science to encourage engagement with students. Creating wonder and developing a love of learning through science is where he comes from when presenting at PCT Beginning Teachers courses.
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Why Choose Us

Embedded in our philosophy for PCTs is a desire to keep courses practical, realistic and visual. We emphasize integration across the curriculum providing beginning teachers with a good foundation of how to run effective programmes.

 Individual sessions are all presented by experienced and respected facilitators in an applied, interactive PLD teaching environment. While developing teachers’ pedagogy in education we also believe in the importance of taking this knowledge and seeing how it translates in the classroom where ideas are presented around the ‘how to’. 

We believe that PCTs need ongoing support, advice and guidance as they navigate their way through their first two years of teaching. 

Our PCT Manukau Programmes offer year round mentoring by Jo Williams as well as informal support as required. First Year PCTs receive nine PLD days, Second Year PCTs receive seven PLD days, all presented by experienced and recognised facilitators sharing their expertise and knowledge. 

These programmes are designed to provide opportunties for teachers from local schools to network and collaborate as they work towards full certification. 

We offer a prime location, refreshments, parking on site.

Testimonials

The beginning teacher programmes at MIT Pasifika offer relevant, practical and constructive PLD sessions from a diverse range of experienced and inspiring facilitators. The sessions have been carefully planned to occur at the right time of each term.

The real point of difference is the continual mentoring that Jo Williams offers during the year, it goes above and beyond what other PLD programmes offer. In addition to guest facilitators who facilitate the workshop contents, Jo attends every session so that she can be available to teachers for regular advice and guidance concerning the day to day realities of teaching. I believe that Jo’s proactive and individualised mentoring is invaluable for teachers at this early stage of their teaching journey. Teachers appreciate that Jo is only a phone call away when needed.

Virginia Best, Owairaka District School

The PCT course has been a lifesaver for my Beginner Teaching journey. Jo and the team are a wealth of wisdom and will truly be a ray of sunshine for you. Jo always validates my experience and provides just the right question or suggestion to make me feel like “I’ve got this, I can do it!”, particularly as I started halfway through the year, taking over a challenging class. All the facilitators have been highly engaging and more importantly, have provided helpful and practical resources that actually work in the classroom. I cannot recommend this course more. All the very best.

Reggie Fox, Maungawhau School

I have learnt so much from each session that I have been to! Jo has been so encouraging and open to supporting us through our first year as BT’s.

Riya Vaidya, Mangere Central School

I enjoyed attending this Manukau course with Jo Williams. It was convenient and close to home/school. I liked the small cohort we had because we were able to network and build positive relationships. The course content was helpful and supported me as a first year BT.

Lilly Fifita, Papatoetoe West School

This PCT programme offers hands on content and the facilitators are engaging. It provided comparable situations and great resources ready to be used the very next day in the classroom.

Charlotte Wilkinson, Otahuhu Intermediate School

It was great to attend the sessions at MIT with Jo and all the wonderful people she organised for us. I looked forward to each session and received so much valuable information from them. 

I remember how Jo said that we should only select a few things to take away with us …. that we can’t do it all …. well, I could never decide what to take and what to leave!

Sandra Jenkins, Rowandale School

The Lucie Cheeseman session was wonderfully eye-opening. It gave me loads of ideas for my maths class and maths teaching practice.

Pearl Paniani Hohaia, Park Estate School

Thank you for all the awesome PD you organised for us! It was really fantastic to complement what my school was doing and to connect to other teachers at the same stage of their careers as me.

Alice Kapoor, Te Kauwhata Primary School

Thank you for all the awesome PD you organised for us! It was really fantastic to complement what my school was doing and to connect to other teachers at the same stage of their careers as me.

Georgina Mataroa, Mangere Central School

Awesome course! Huge variety of sessions and facilitators. Jo is friendly, supportive and fun. She makes the whole process of being a new teacher less daunting through reminding you that most of these things and feelings happen to us all. I left each and every session excited and re-invigorated to get back in to the classroom to implement what I’d learnt. Every facilitator was passionate, knowledgeable and provided worthwhile activities and PLD.

Brittany Reekie, Hillpark School

Jo Williams has been supportive and helpful and her reading session was very useful. I also loved the circle time activities that we all practiced with Jo.

Ivy-Rose Page-Pearce, Reremoana Primary School

Thank you so much for everything. It has been a great couple of years; the knowledge, ideas and different strategies that have been shared have been very useful in class. Even just having a space to discuss things openly with teachers from different schools and hear how they do things and what their successes and struggles are, is greatly beneficial. The practical nature of the course makes everything applicable and has definitely improved me as a teacher. Thank you again for all your help and support!

Jonathan Kelly, Hillpark School

I have learnt a lot and had so much support from other teachers in the same boat as me. Jo is helpful and kind.

Casey Chamberlain, Glenavon School

My deepest gratitude to Jo and all her team of facilitators who supported my beginning teacher journey through the PCT Beginning Teacher Programme. The sessions were very engaging and fun, we always felt that it was a safe space to share our successes and challenges. The second year programme offered greater value in content and structure as I was encouraged to draw upon the importance of developing a curious and teachable mindset. Building a strong foundation that informs our practice as beginning teachers begins from strong roots in programmes such as these.

Florence Rodwell, Manurewa South School

I really enjoyed the first year course. It was extremely helpful with resources and ideas. Jo is extremely approachable and it was nice working alongside other PCT’s who are from different schools but teach similar year groups. I would highly recommend this course to anyone.

Danielle Thomson, Hillpark School

A great learning experience for a BT; so many teaching strategies shared. I have learned a lot from the lovely and wonderful facilitators as well as learning from other beginning teachers from different schools all over Auckland. This programme has added a lot to my kete and I feel more confident using the strategies and techniques that I have learned.

Amanpreet Bhatia, Papatoetoe Central School

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FAQ

Do I need to enrol in the full programme?

Yes, single sessions are not offered. Teachers may however enrol at any point during the year, mid year enrolments are accepted. These are full one year programmes for teachers to meet regularly, to network and integrate within a trusted and collaborative learning environment. This is important to maintain ongoing mentoring and support by the Lead Facilitator.

Who should apply to attend the programmes?

We are offering these programmes to primary / intermediate school teachers who are either –

• First Year PCTs who teach 0-3 year students

• First Year PCTs who teach 4-8 year students

• Second Year PCTs who teach 0-3 year students

• Second Year PCTs who teach 4-8 year students

. Mid year entry applies only to first year programmes

. Overseas trained teachers are welcome

. Distance zoom entry applies only to first year teachers

What is the cost of these programmes?

Cost: $950.00 (GST inclusive) for First Year PCT Programmes

Cost: $850.00 (GST inclusive) for Second Year PCT Programmes

Cost: $590.00 (GST inclusive) for First Year Mid Year Entry PCT Programmes

Cost: $700.00 (GST inclusive) for First Year Distance Zoom PCT Programmes

Are overseas trained teachers eligible?

Yes, we welcome overseas trained teachers into the programmes. Extra support, mentoring and zoom meetings can be arranged to underpin, strengthen current curriculum knowledge and connection to the NZ Curriculum.

Is a Parents Room available?

A Parents Room is available (Family Room 108, Building NS) with change table, armchair for your convenience. Teachers are welcome with new-borns and nursing infants. Where possible please contact Alison 0275 442 924 or alimilla@gmail.com in advance to arrange access.

MIT Pasifika Community Centre, Otara North Campus, 53 Otara Road, Otara, Auckland, 2023

PCT Orientation: On the first day meet at MIT Pasifika Community Centre Reception

Individual course sessions will be held in the Manuhiri Room, School of Hospitality MIT, Building NT, Entry B, Room 108

Complimentary parking is available in the multi-level carpark Gate 11 Otara Road

Paid parking adjacent to Building NT using the ticket machine is available at $4.00 per day

MIT Pasifika Community Centre

Faith, Receptionist at MITPCC

Contact & Enrol

If you are interested in a programme, are wanting to enrol, or have more questions please call Alison Miller 027 544 2924 or Jo Williams 021 178 1672, or use this form to contact us.

 

PCT Enrolment Form