2024 PCT Beginning Teacher Programmes

First Year PCT Programme
(for Teachers who teach 0-3 Year Students)

First Year PCT Programme
(for Teachers who teach 4-8 Year Students)

Second Year PCT Programme
(for Teachers who teach 0-3 Year Students)

Second Year PCT Programme
(for Teachers who teach 4-8 Year Students)
Mid Year Entry “Getting Started” Programme
(First Year PCT 0-3 Year and 4-8 Year Teachers)

First Year PCT Programme
(for Teachers who teach 0-3 Year Students)

First Year PCT Programme
(for Teachers who teach 4-8 Year Students)
Facilitators

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

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

Juliette Laird

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

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
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

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’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

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
Reggie Fox, Maungawhau School
Riya Vaidya, Mangere Central School
Lilly Fifita, Papatoetoe West School
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
Pearl Paniani Hohaia, Park Estate School
Alice Kapoor, Te Kauwhata Primary School
Georgina Mataroa, Mangere Central School
Brittany Reekie, Hillpark School
Ivy-Rose Page-Pearce, Reremoana Primary School
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
Florence Rodwell, Manurewa South School
Danielle Thomson, Hillpark School
Amanpreet Bhatia, Papatoetoe Central School

FAQ
Do I need to enrol in the full programme?
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
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.