Friday, March 23, 2012
Leaving on a Jet Plane...
We have finally reached the end of our adventure. It should take us about 22 more hours to reach OKC. We have had a wonderful time, met many great people along the way, and enjoyed beautiful sights. It is the hopes of many us to someday return down under to Kiwi country. In the meantime, we have our memories and experiences to share with family, friends, and colleagues.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Last Day in the Bay of Plenty...
Yesterday was our last day in the schools. We spent the day in classrooms, shadowing administrators, or just wandering the grounds and gathering new ideas. A few of us had an opportunity to meet a of representative from the Ministry of Education over lunch. We shared a discussion of how both countries work with special needs students which was interesting for all parties. We also had an opportunity to meet a visiting principal from Alberta, Canada who is on leave while working on her doctoral program. She has been traveling the world looking at schools and the effects of the physical environment on student learning.
We have found this to be a very productive learning experience, and we take away with us a new appreciation for our own education system along with a slightly wider global perspective than we brought with us. As we prepare leave, we take with us a new found knowledge, a renewed sense of purpose in our teaching, a respect for the New Zealand culture, and a collaborative network of administrators and teachers.
We want to extend grateful hearts to all the people we met and work with over the last two weeks. It was an incredible experience that none of us will ever forget. We say E noho ra to our new friends, but we know that it is not a final good-bye but a farewell until meet again.
We have found this to be a very productive learning experience, and we take away with us a new appreciation for our own education system along with a slightly wider global perspective than we brought with us. As we prepare leave, we take with us a new found knowledge, a renewed sense of purpose in our teaching, a respect for the New Zealand culture, and a collaborative network of administrators and teachers.
We want to extend grateful hearts to all the people we met and work with over the last two weeks. It was an incredible experience that none of us will ever forget. We say E noho ra to our new friends, but we know that it is not a final good-bye but a farewell until meet again.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
It is a Small World...
We had an opportunity to observe in the schools today. It was a great feeling being back in the classroom and interacting with students again. Geographically speaking, Oklahoma and New Zealand couldn't be more different, but when it comes to education there were more similarities than we realized. Concerns over standards, assessments, and student issues are universal and dominate NZ news just like home. The children of New Zealand are no different than American children. They learn, play, and make choices both good and bad. The subtle differences we noted were a more relaxed learning environment, collaboration among the students , and the mutual respect shown between staff and students. The larger differences came in the form of scheduling morning teas, longer lunch times that involved the whole school, and no cafeteria seating.
While many of us observed in traditional classrooms, a couple of us got to participate in a completely digital classroom with each student having their own laptop. These students known as Year 5 and 6 here were the equivalent of our fourth graders back home. It was amazing to see the creativity demonstrated by the students and their willingness to share what they have learned with the "ladies with the funny accents."
There was no site seeing today. We experienced a torrential downpour and Oklahoma-type winds this afternoon and evening. After trying to wait it out, we finally decided to brave the elements to enjoy dinner at a recommended eatery.
Tomorrow, it is back to our assigned schools for more observations...
While many of us observed in traditional classrooms, a couple of us got to participate in a completely digital classroom with each student having their own laptop. These students known as Year 5 and 6 here were the equivalent of our fourth graders back home. It was amazing to see the creativity demonstrated by the students and their willingness to share what they have learned with the "ladies with the funny accents."
There was no site seeing today. We experienced a torrential downpour and Oklahoma-type winds this afternoon and evening. After trying to wait it out, we finally decided to brave the elements to enjoy dinner at a recommended eatery.
Tomorrow, it is back to our assigned schools for more observations...
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Professional Development Day at Tahatai Coast School...
This morning we attended a professional development session for student teachers from the University of Waikato Tauranga campus at Tahatai Coast School. We were warmly greeted with Roger and Hammerstein's version of "Oklahoma." Imagine our surprise! As future administrators, we learned about New Zealand school structures and what potential teachers here face when applying for positions. The session wrapped with a Q & A between the administrators and the teacher candidates. The Oklahoma group toured the school before lunch and we finished out our day at Tahatai with a round table discussion with Principal Griggs and Deputy Principal Bell.
We then decided to take advantage of what we thought was a break in the rainy weather. Several of us decided to climb to the summit of Mount Maunganui (Mauao). Despite a monsoon-type rain, we were treated to spectacular views of the coastline from the summit. After the return trip down the mountain, a few of us ventured down to the beach where we dipped our toes in the Pacific Ocean. In the words of George Costanza, "the sea was angry that day, my friend." This was due in large part to an intense weather system in this part of the world.
Tomorrow, the group will divide up with three of us returning to Tahatai Coast School, three will head to Welcome Bay School, and four are reporting to Otumoetai Intermediate School where we will spend two days in the classrooms.
We then decided to take advantage of what we thought was a break in the rainy weather. Several of us decided to climb to the summit of Mount Maunganui (Mauao). Despite a monsoon-type rain, we were treated to spectacular views of the coastline from the summit. After the return trip down the mountain, a few of us ventured down to the beach where we dipped our toes in the Pacific Ocean. In the words of George Costanza, "the sea was angry that day, my friend." This was due in large part to an intense weather system in this part of the world.
Tomorrow, the group will divide up with three of us returning to Tahatai Coast School, three will head to Welcome Bay School, and four are reporting to Otumoetai Intermediate School where we will spend two days in the classrooms.
Monday, March 19, 2012
In Search of Hobbits...
Today, we left Rotorua with its hot springs and geysers behind and headed towards Taurango. On the way, just outside the town of Matamata is the Alexander farm. This 1250 acre working sheep farm with its beautiful rolling countryside became home to Tolkien's Middle-Earth when it was discovered by Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema in 1998.
Despite it being a chilly rainy day, spirits were high as we prepared to walk in the footsteps of Frodo, Sam, and Gandalf. Our tour of Hobbiton began at the Shires Rest where we boarded a bus and traveled through the countryside to the Shire. Once there, we were able to walk around the Shire visiting various sites including Bag End, home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Across the pond, we saw the pub, stables, and market. We even strolled across the Party Field and stood beneath the Party Tree. The time we spent in Hobbiton was amazing. It was like the place truly existed and was not merely a movie set. After leaving the Shire, we had the opportunity to fee some of the sheep and lambs back at the Shires Rest. It was a truly magical experience!
Tomorrow, it is back to work...
Despite it being a chilly rainy day, spirits were high as we prepared to walk in the footsteps of Frodo, Sam, and Gandalf. Our tour of Hobbiton began at the Shires Rest where we boarded a bus and traveled through the countryside to the Shire. Once there, we were able to walk around the Shire visiting various sites including Bag End, home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Across the pond, we saw the pub, stables, and market. We even strolled across the Party Field and stood beneath the Party Tree. The time we spent in Hobbiton was amazing. It was like the place truly existed and was not merely a movie set. After leaving the Shire, we had the opportunity to fee some of the sheep and lambs back at the Shires Rest. It was a truly magical experience!
Tomorrow, it is back to work...
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Day 8 - Chilling in Rotorua
Our last day in Rotura was a day of rest. It was a beautiful Sunday here and several of us chose to visit the living geothermal Maori village of
Whakarewarewa. There we received a history lesson on the Maori culture of the past and the present. The village consisted of twenty-five families who rely on the geothermal activity of the village for their livelihood. We learned the hotter pools were used for cooking, and the overflow was cooled and used for communal bathing. We had an opportunity to sample corn cooked in a geothermal pool. It was the best ear of corn ever! We also witnessed the eruption of two geysers: the Pohutu and the Prince of Wales.
We took a stroll in the afternoon and found that the geothermal pools exist all over town including neighborhoods and the lake area. The smell of sulfur permeates every inch of the town and can be overwhelming at times.
We had a few people who spent a relaxing afternoon at the Polynesian Spa enjoying mud wraps and the geothermal pools. Others toured the town of Rotorua by helicopter.
Tomorrow we head to Middle Earth in search of Hobbits....
Whakarewarewa. There we received a history lesson on the Maori culture of the past and the present. The village consisted of twenty-five families who rely on the geothermal activity of the village for their livelihood. We learned the hotter pools were used for cooking, and the overflow was cooled and used for communal bathing. We had an opportunity to sample corn cooked in a geothermal pool. It was the best ear of corn ever! We also witnessed the eruption of two geysers: the Pohutu and the Prince of Wales.
We took a stroll in the afternoon and found that the geothermal pools exist all over town including neighborhoods and the lake area. The smell of sulfur permeates every inch of the town and can be overwhelming at times.
We had a few people who spent a relaxing afternoon at the Polynesian Spa enjoying mud wraps and the geothermal pools. Others toured the town of Rotorua by helicopter.
Tomorrow we head to Middle Earth in search of Hobbits....
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