Karen O'Leary

Biography:
A natural performer, Karen O’Leary made her acting debut in Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s cult-classic feature What We Do in the Shadows.

Brendon Henderson

Teacher Development Aotearoa

Topic: 
At Teacher Development Aotearoa we understand the importance of making connections with kaiako and subject experts. In our role as the Network Hub for the 36 NEX we coordinate the experts and subject leaders in providing professional support and guidance for their members. In this session Brendon will outline the benefits of being a member of a Network of Expertise (NEX) for Provisionally Certified Teachers.

Biography:
Brendon is the Chief Executive at Teacher Development Aotearoa (TDA) having started in this role in January 2022. He began his teaching career in 1990 and has worked at a number of schools in Wellington. More recently he was principal of Tawa Intermediate School for a period of 8 years.

Janelle Riki-Waaka

Ko te Mauri o te Akomanga / Getting the ‘Culture’ Right in Your Classroom: Tikanga, Kawa, and a Te Tiriti-led Practice

Topic: 
Starting your journey as a kaiako in Aotearoa comes with a profound responsibility—creating a learning environment where all ākonga feel seen, valued, and empowered. But how do you get the ‘culture’ right in your classroom?

This keynote will explore the power of tikanga and kawa in shaping a culturally responsive and mana-enhancing space. We will delve into the importance of uara Māori-led practices that not only enrich teaching but also honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi in meaningful and practical ways.

By weaving together mātauranga Māori, relational teaching, and authentic partnerships with whānau, Mana Whenua and your hapori, you will gain insights into fostering a classroom where equity, belonging, and success thrive. Mauri tū, mauri ora—let’s set the foundations for teaching that uplifts and empowers all tamariki! 

Biography:

InsideOUT Kōaro 

Creating Inclusive Schools For Rainbow Students

Topic:
This workshop will cover the latest NZ research on students of minority sexualities and genders, relevant terminology, how homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and discrimination affect rangatahi and tamariki, the coming out process, pronoun use and the biggest issues facing rainbow students. We will present practical ways your professional practice can become or continue to be an inclusive and safe place for people of all sexual orientations, sexes and genders. We will also share our resources developed for schools to support in your rainbow inclusion journey. 

Monique Lubberink

Creative mindfulness - Learn to make beautiful art, following the 8 steps of the Zentangle 

Topic: 
Discover your creative side, even if you think you don’t have one. You might surprise yourself!  If you can hold a pen, you can do this. Creating Zentangle patterns is super relaxing and a creative form of mindfulness. Increase your awareness and focus, get absorbed and feel more confident while making your own unique and original art. Learn about borders, strings, and shading. Learn your first tangles and discover the world of Crescent Moon, Hollibaugh, Printemps, and Florz. It feels great to have creativity flowing. Anything is possible one stroke at a time. There are no mistakes to make here!

Biography:
Monique moved to NZ from the Netherlands, 11 years ago with her family. She has a background in psychology, working with adults with ADHD and ASD, and has a passion for creative mindfulness, colouring, zentangle®, crochet and running her own Easy Now mindfulness business.

Cecilia Sanahuja

Feeling the music

Topic: 
In this interactive workshop, we will explore the relationship between music and the brain. Discover how music can affect our brains, for better or for worse, and how we can make it work for us and not against us. We’ll also have a look at how to improve our mental health with music and sounds and experience sounds from a different viewpoint.  Attending this workshop will help kaiako to develop new strategies that can be applied in personal and in classroom settings to support rangatahi in their academic and personal development.
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Biography:
Cecilia is a vocal/life coach and sound healing facilitator, among others. She is an eternal geek that likes reading, learning and experimenting about energy, the brain and how music and sounds can affect us. Through sound meditation and workshops, as well as working 1:1, she helps people become more aware of their thoughts and feelings and find their own voice.

Find Cecilia on her website:
https://www.tuningyourself.com/

Brooke Trenwith

Lifting the Tide by Catering to the Neurodiverse

Topic: 
With as many as 34% of learners in our classes needing learning support, teachers need to know who to create a “rising tide that lifts all ships” to improve attendance and engagement. This workshop links strengths-based neurodivergent support, trauma-informed and relationship based practice to help our PCTs lift that tide. Participants will come away with practical and effective strategies that they can use immediately to improve attendance and engagement. 

Biography:
An experienced educator, Brooke is passionate about providing teachers with the knowledge and strategies to support neurodiverse learners in their care. Brooke was President of the New Zealand Association for Gifted Children (2016-2020), a NZ representative on the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (2016-2020) and is a MoE Accredited education consultant through her own company, Potential to Performance Ltd. Brooke is a trained a secondary teacher who has also taught from early childhood through to tertiary level and been an assistant director of an English language school in Taiwan. Brooke’s specialisations include inclusive learning (multiple labels), trauma informed education, coaching and leadership support. Brooke was on the Reference Group for the Ministerial Review of Curriculum, Progress and Achievement, the Curriculum Voices Hui for the NZ Curriculum Refresh and has sat on the Ministerial Advisory Group for Gifted Education since 2018. 

Amy-Lee Wells, Tātai Aho Rau - Core Education

Developing a collaborative working relationship with your mentor

Topic: 
It’s no secret that the quality of the mentoring relationship for beginning teachers can make or break your induction to the teaching profession in Aotearoa. All provisionally certificated teachers in Aotearoa should have a quality induction and mentoring programme to be able to apply for full certification.

Biography:
Amy-Lee was a secondary teacher for 16 years before joining Tātai Aho Rau as a professional learning and development facilitator. She was a reliever, classroom teacher, Head of Department, Specialist Classroom Teacher and PCT Coordinator.

PPTA Field Officers

Entitlements and Expectations as a PCT

Topic: 
Join our friendly Field Officers from the PPTA as they guide you through your rights and entitlements as a PCT and support you with strategies to help you to foster positive employment relationships. During this workshop they’ll will be step you through your rights as a PCT to help ensure that you are getting the support that you are entitled to. In this workshop, you’ll also learn a little bit about the PPTA structure and how you can connect with your branch and networks. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions about your school context and any concerns you have about your Collective Agreement rights as a PCT. 

Panel Discussion Title: Weaving together your kete

Chair: Karen O'Leary

Topic:
Our panel members, who have recently graduated from being beginning teachers, will discuss their personal experiences and the challenges they overcame early in their teaching careers. They will provide valuable insights into knowledge they wish they had during this period and offer perspectives on how to establish essential support structures for achieving balance and success in the teaching profession.