PCT Beginning Teacher Programmes
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PCT Beginning Teacher Programmes
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jo on the PCT programme. I started off with the Y4-8 programme in 2023 then I shifted to a Y0 class and Jo enabled me to join the 0-3 programme which would support me better with my new position. The sessions were so valuable and engaging. One of the best parts was having a small morning tea and lunch for every session beautifully served so we felt really looked after! And always a warm conversation with Alison and Jo at break times. The course was also a great time and place to connect with other beginning teachers, to discuss questions that arose during this phase of teaching. The abundance of materials including links and lesson plans are stored on the drive which we always have access to. The attitude at the course was very respectful and professional. You could come with your worries and be sure to find support to go back with the wings grown behind your back. It was also a great time to take a breath between busy school days to get that information and resources and rock back into the school fully equipped. Throughout the two years we had different speakers, who were vibrant, motivated, ready to share their tips. It was a great inspiration. I remembered well the Reading and Writing session, as well as the Math session. The Art session was very inspiring, the PE session was useful (as many teachers are reluctant to give it a good go) – it's still fresh in my mind. Jo also gave us many lectures in which she made references to other teachers' and researchers' work. Jo also spoke a lot about her own expertise, she spoke from experience. I know Alison didn't take a lot of lectures but I saw that she used to teach and do a lot of other great things. It was nice to get to know Alison closer, what a delicate, kind and caring person she is. The course was very helpful to me as a new overseas teacher, I needed that support, including cultural support having come from a different country. Thank you, dear Jo and the team! You are doing a wonderful job. I can't believe there will be no other session scheduled at MIT for us.
Luliia Pashchuk Dominion Road School
The past two years have been such a saving grace and help as I started teaching in New Zealand. Having a soundboard through Jo and other teachers has grown and helped me. Jo has been a welcoming and safe space for me to discuss new information. She has a world of knowledge that she willingly shares. Jo is open and honest and I am grateful for that. I highly recommend that all new and current teachers complete this programme! Thanks for making us better educators!
Elni van Rensburg Rowandale School
I really enjoyed the first year course. It was extremely helpful with resources and ideas. Jo is extremely approachable and it was nice working alongside other PCT's who are from different schools but teach similar year groups. I would highly recommend this course to anyone.
Danielle Thomson Hillpark School
A great learning experience for a BT; so many teaching strategies shared. I have learned a lot from the lovely and wonderful facilitators as well as learning from other beginning teachers from different schools all over Auckland. This programme has added a lot to my kete and I feel more confident using the strategies and techniques that I have learned.
Amanpreet Bhatia Papatoetoe Central School
Testimonials
Kupu Tautoko
The PCT course has been a lifesaver for my Beginner Teaching journey. Jo and the team are a wealth of wisdom and will truly be a ray of sunshine for you. Jo always validates my experience and provides just the right question or suggestion to make me feel like "I've got this, I can do it!", particularly as I started halfway through the year, taking over a challenging class. All the facilitators have been highly engaging and more importantly, have provided helpful and practical resources that actually work in the classroom. I cannot recommend this course more. All the very best.
Reggie Fox Maungawhau School
It was great to attend the sessions at MIT with Jo and all the wonderful people she organised for us. I looked forward to each session and received so much valuable information from them. I remember how Jo said that we should only select a few things to take away with us …. that we can't do it all …. well, I could never decide what to take and what to leave!
Sandra Jenkins Rowandale School
The Lucie Cheeseman session was wonderfully eye-opening. It gave me loads of ideas for my maths class and maths teaching practice.
Pearl Paniani Hohaia Mangapikopiko School
The P.E session is amazing! So much richness and integration for our students learning. Nikki and Flo are amazing presenters.
Elly Hukui
Roscommon School
Thank you for all the support and the sessions. They have helped me with how to do engaging activities and what to be aware of with policies and procedures. I found this a supportive environment where we can share our experiences with those who are on the same journey. Thanks for helping me be confident in my teaching.
Georgina Mataroa Mangere Central School
Thank you so much for everything. It has been a great couple of years; the knowledge, ideas and different strategies that have been shared have been very useful in class. Even just having a space to discuss things openly with teachers from different schools and hear how they do things and what their successes and struggles are, is greatly beneficial. The practical nature of the course makes everything applicable and has definitely improved me as a teacher. Thank you again for all your help and support!
Jonathan Kelly
Hillpark School
I enjoyed attending this Manukau course with Jo Williams. It was convenient and close to home/school. I liked the small cohort we had because we were able to network and build positive relationships. The course content was helpful and supported me as a first year BT.
Lilly Fifita
Papatoetoe West School
This PCT programme offers hands on content and the facilitators are engaging. It provided comparable situations and great resources ready to be used the very next day in the classroom.
Charlotte Wilkinson Otahuhu Intermediate School
I have learnt so much from each session that I have been to! Jo has been so encouraging and open to supporting us through our first year as BT's.
Riya Vaidya
Mangere Central School
The beginning teacher programmes at MIT Pasifika offer relevant, practical and constructive PLD sessions from a diverse range of experienced and inspiring facilitators. The sessions have been carefully planned to occur at the right time of each term. The real point of difference is the continual mentoring that Jo Williams offers during the year, it goes above and beyond what other PLD programmes offer. In addition to guest facilitators who facilitate the workshop contents, Jo attends every session so that she can be available to teachers for regular advice and guidance concerning the day to day realities of teaching. I believe that Jo's proactive and individualised mentoring is invaluable for teachers at this early stage of their teaching journey. Teachers appreciate that Jo is only a phone call away when needed.
Virginia Best
Owairaka District School
Thank you for all the awesome PD you organised for us! It was really fantastic to complement what my school was doing and to connect to other teachers at the same stage of their careers as me.
Alice Kapoor
Te Kauwhata Primary School
Awesome course! Huge variety of sessions and facilitators. Jo is friendly, supportive and fun. She makes the whole process of being a new teacher less daunting through reminding you that most of these things and feelings happen to us all. I left each and every session excited and re-invigorated to get back in to the classroom to implement what I'd learnt. Every facilitator was passionate, knowledgeable and provided worthwhile activities and PLD.
Brittany Reekie
Hillpark School
Jo Williams has been supportive and helpful and her reading session was very useful. I also loved the circle time activities that we all practiced with Jo.
Ivy-Rose Page-Pearce Reremoana Primary School
I have learnt a lot and had so much support from other teachers in the same boat as me. Jo is helpful and kind.
Casey Chamberlain Glenavon School
My deepest gratitude to Jo and all her team of facilitators who supported my beginning teacher journey through the PCT Beginning Teacher Programme. The sessions were very engaging and fun, we always felt that it was a safe space to share our successes and challenges. The second year programme offered greater value in content and structure as I was encouraged to draw upon the importance of developing a curious and teachable mindset. Building a strong foundation that informs our practice as beginning teachers begins from strong roots in programmes such as these.