Te Whatu Pokeka

[Maree Wallace]

Question ladies. Te Whatu Pokeka. Can you please explain the meaning of 'ako' for me. In the exemplars of Te Whatu Pokeka 'ako' means teachers and children are both learners and teachers, however the exemplars only give the learning of the child under Ways of Doing. There is nothing outllining or indicating the learning that is happening for teachers. can you please advise as it only gives you examples of the learning that has occurred for the child/ren. This is information for both I and the teaching team.

Cheers,
Maree

[jb76]

Ko te tuatahi he mihi nui ki a koe Maree me to whānau hoki kei raro i te kaupapa o ngā mokopuna.

That is a really good question Maree. The framework as I understand it acknowledges the mātauranga phase as the place where whānau (teachers, parents, tamariki, kaumatua...) form relationships with the learning, the context and the relevant people to guide and support the child to the place of enlightment. As you discuss the child moving to te ao mārama you can weave in the adult role.
You have raised a very valuable point in regards to ako and as I draw reflection from my own horopaki I seldomly showcase the valuable learning for me as well. This is the beauty of kōrero so thank you.

Ako has many interpretations and you will need to find the ones that resonates best with your environment. I really liked the reading in the latest early childhood folio that gave the example of a tuangi or cockle as a metaphor for ako.
If we look to the tuangi we can see that the shell is the same on both sides but one side could be considered the learner and the other side the teacher and as this shifts and moves within the realm of Tangaroa each learning moment draws from both positions. This is not a direct quote but my understanding of that reading so I suggest you don't quote me. What is showcased is that, as we engage with tamariki the learning is reciprocal and meaningful.
I hope that helps if not ask more... The important thing to remember is that you will create you own way of writing and that there is no right way or wrong way. There are multiple regimes of truth here.... a great question and thank you for sharing. Noho ora mai Jacqui