Grant Angus - Specialist Classroom Teacher

“I needed some stimulation to help challenge my thinking within my practice, having been in education for nearly 20 years.

“I chose to study at the University of Auckland because its students reflect the multicultural city that I live in. Having a diversity of students enhanced discussions within the lectures as we were able to view critical concepts from different points of view.

“The lecturers co-taught the courses, making the learning refreshing, stimulating and motivating. My thesis supervisors were professional, current in their field of expertise, open to hearing my ideas, and always had an open-door policy, which was great during stressful times.

“For my thesis, I investigated how Pasifika youth conceptualised Physical Education as a subject. My study indicated that a number of Pasifika values aligned with the values in our Health and PE curriculum, hence these students felt connected to the subject.

“Completing the Master of Education has transformed my teaching. I feel I am making a greater difference with the ākonga within my classes. This qualification has also motivated me to keep on learning.

“Upon returning to school I became a Specialist Classroom Teacher. This meant having to work with the teachers within my school and assisting with their teaching practices within their classes.

“I would like to be an agent of change, particularly to transform the learning of our Pasifika students. Having an understanding of how critical, culturally sustaining pedagogy can be embedded into leadership, policy and pedagogy has enabled me to do this.”