Sustainability challenges and strategies for kaiako

Sustainability challenges and strategies for kaiako
Dr. Jenny Ritchie
School of Education, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington

Wednesday 13 March, 7-8:30pm

A year ago many parts of Aotearoa witnessed extreme weather events. In some cases extensive damage has caused families ongoing distress and dislocation. It is therefore timely for kaiako to consider our responsibilities with regard to these increasing climate related disturbances. This presentation will provide an overview of contexts for sustainability obligations with a focus on kaitiakitanga as recognised in Te Whāriki 2017. This will be followed by some examples from previous research, of teachers and children enacting this obligation to care for ourselves, others and the places around us.

Brief bio:
Dr Jenny Ritchie focuses her work on education for social, cultural, ecological and climate justice. Her research interests include exploring ways to transform a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi into enactment within teacher education and beyond; identifying pedagogies that affirm and support children’s cultural, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing and citizenship enactment; and how understandings of Māori conceptualisations can enhance pedagogies that protect and care for our planet.