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supporting tiriti-based curriculum delivery in mainstream early ...

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On the other hand, Ritchie (2000) states that knowledge without<br />

commitment makes it difficult for teachers to implement effective programmes<br />

Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong>. What I have shown is that teachers need more than<br />

commitment. They need to make a decision to be the one responsible no matter<br />

what to implement Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong>. Such a decision was made by D from<br />

Case Study One and Alison from Case Study Two. Teachers able to develop this<br />

sense of commitment and responsibility to Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong> make an<br />

enormous difference (see chapter 6).<br />

However, success is much more likely when there is a whole-of-centre<br />

approach, as teachers can support one another. In their research Ritchie and Rau<br />

(2006b) gave the example of one of their Pākehā k<strong>in</strong>dergarten teachers, Daisy, who<br />

recognised and encouraged colleagues when they attempted to implement Tiriti-<br />

<strong>based</strong> programmes. She had shifted “from a lack of confidence and knowledge<br />

…towards a role of support and mentor<strong>in</strong>g” (p. 20).<br />

Likewise, D from Case Study One (although always committed to Tiriti-<br />

<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong>) found that be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> the research provided ways for her<br />

to change her practice. The key attitude change from a conceptual or philosophical<br />

belief about Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong> enabled the shift that transpired for D as she<br />

moved through her fears and concerns and took responsibility for implement<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong>. She became accountable or as Bishop (2008) says took<br />

ownership. This change was not about her be<strong>in</strong>g the supervisor or about valu<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the cultures of the children <strong>in</strong> the centre, which could <strong>in</strong>volve teach<strong>in</strong>g from her<br />

own Indian culture. Regardless of the children‟s ethnicity, D assumed<br />

responsibility or ownership for Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong>.<br />

Bishop (2008) describes ownership as ensur<strong>in</strong>g the “orig<strong>in</strong>al objectives of<br />

the reform are protected and susta<strong>in</strong>ed” (p. 55). In his research Bishop was<br />

work<strong>in</strong>g with secondary school teachers and their performance with Māori<br />

students. His model was <strong>based</strong> on the belief that “the most important systemic<br />

<strong>in</strong>fluence <strong>in</strong> children's educational achievement is the teacher” (Bishop, 2008, p.<br />

49). Ownership occurs when learn<strong>in</strong>g is central to classroom exchanges and<br />

relationships. In <strong>early</strong> childhood education sett<strong>in</strong>gs, this would be when teachers<br />

focus upon Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> pedagogy.<br />

258

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