Who was I as a tauira and who am I becoming as a kaiako? The importance of transition from Student to Teacher - Manukau

Manukau - 13 August 2026 - 6-8pm

A Student Teacher’s professional identity continues to form over time; the role of the mentor is to support emerging Kaiako as they ask themselves, “who was I as a Tauira and who am I becoming as a Kaiako?”

This PLD aims to examine the important role of the mentor in supporting Tauira as they move from being a Tauira to become qualified certificated Teachers. By exploring the Teaching Standards this PLD will explore how to support Tauira as they shift in their roles, develop professional confidence and reflect their own values, beliefs and identity within their practice.

This PLD seminar will suit AT/LT and School/Centre Managers.

Learning Goals:

• Deepen understanding of the mentor’s role in the transition from Tauira to Kaiako
• Strengthen knowledge of how the Teaching Standards inform mentoring practice
• Explore ways to help Tauira reflect their values, beliefs, and identity in their teaching
• To explore the emotional, relational, and professional challenges of moving from Student to Teacher, and how mentors can support Tauira to navigate expectations, responsibilities, and professional conduct.

Learning Objectives - by the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Identify key responsibilities of mentors and how mentoring practices contribute to the development of professional capability scaffolding learning as Tauira shift from guided practice to autonomous teaching.
• Examine each Teaching Standard and identify ways mentors can model, explain, and support them in practice.
• Implement mentoring strategies that build self-efficacy, resilience, and reflective decision-making by providing strengths-based feedback
• Support Tauira to explore how their cultural identity, personal values, and lived experiences shape their teaching practice

Presenter Carla Keighron, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Master of Education. Regional Education Leader Auckland, Kaiārahi Mātauranga ā Rohe Manukau, Te Rito Maioha ECNZ

Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Carla Keighron tōku ingoa. Kei Tāmaki Makaurau ahau e noho ana. Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.

Carla worked as an early childhood teacher for eight years before she moved into adult education as a lecturer, visiting lecturer, and programme leader. She has developed her strengths in leadership, adult teaching, early childhood education, home-based care and education, field practice, online learning and teaching practice in New Zealand and China. She has taught across various curriculum topics and supported students with both academic and teaching skills.

Presenter: Fiona O’Connell Jones, Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Human Biology), Master of Science (Criminology and Criminal Justice), Post Graduate Certificate of Education, Lecturer / Kaiako - Te Rito Maioha**

Fiona began her career in education as a Teacher Aide whilst her three children were young. She fell in love with educating young minds, and progressed through a number of primary school roles, including classroom teacher, Director of Religious Studies, SENCO, and Assistant Principal.