School leaders share stories for Unteach Racism project
Teaching Council of Aotearoa launch school leaders’ stories project with Unteach Racism to challenge institutional racism.
The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (TCA) launched the Unteach Racism School Leader Stories project last week.
School leaders will share their real-life stories of how they took action to challenge institutional racism in their schools. The stories explore the obstacles leaders faced, the strategies they used to overcome them, and the impact of their work.
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Case-studies will be available in written, audio and/or video formats available from the Unteach Racism website, app and other digital platforms. New content will be released progressively.
The series was launched on Thursday 12 June at Frankley School, who features in the first video.
The video features Principal Sarah Morris, who details how Frankley School is working to address unconscious bias toward ākonga Māori, and the schools’ involvement with the Māori Achievement Collective. The video also includes testimonies from Damon Ritai, facilitator of the Māori Achievement Collective, Deputy Principal Bonnie Mills, Parent Brendon Rei and a kaiako at the school.
The launch was attended by TCA’s deputy chief executive Tamahau Te Rau (Whanganui, Taranaki Whanui, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa, Nga Wairiki, Ngāti Apa) and senior advisor Rose-Anne London, alongside whānau, community members, teachers and kaimahi.
Mr Te Rau said: “I witnessed a principal fully embrace the kaupapa of Unteach Racism and its strategic pathway – taking it head-on.”
Ms London said that “teachers are uniquely placed to lead change.
“This series was born out of desire to amplify the voices of those already doing the work – leaders who are challenging racism in their schools and communities. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire others to reflect, act, and join the movement to unteach racism.”
TCA chief executive Lesley Hoskin says TCA is responding to calls from sector leaders to help action change.
“The Teaching Council is responding to requests from principals and leaders to support them to lead change and tackle systemic racism in the education system. Many are already doing incredible work to celebrate diversity and foster belonging. The School Leader Stories series builds on this momentum of this work launched in 2018, offering real-life examples of leadership and courage to inspire others to take action.”
This series is the latest phase of the Unteach Racism initiative, which has been operating since 2018 with the aim to help teachers and schools identify and address racism in their practice.
It is a joint initiative between TCA and the Human Rights Commission’s national campaign Give Nothing to Racism.
Teachers can access the Unteach Racism website to explore more personal reflection and learning module and read through the TCA code and standards. Teachers are required to meet these standards every three years as they renew their practising certificate.
In a statement TCA said the Unteach Racism mahi “supports teachers’ development in the Treaty of Waitangi Standard, helping teachers strengthen their understanding of this important commitment.”
