Tumuaki Professional Growth Cycle
At Paparoa Street School, the tumuaki participates in an annual professional growth cycle (PGC) to determine whether they are meeting the Standards for the Teaching Profession | Ngā Paerewa mō te Umanga Whakaakoranga (the Standards). The tumuaki develops their own PGC that promotes professional learning and growth as appropriate to the needs of our kura.
The tumuaki is also responsible for designing and implementing an annual PGC for kaiako. See Kaiako Professional Growth Cycle.
Professional growth cycle process
The tumuaki plans their professional growth cycle (PGC) in consultation with the poari matua, other kaimahi, and external colleagues. As part of their PGC, the tumuaki seeks feedback from within the kura and from external colleagues to support their professional growth. The tumuaki and kaihono discuss how the PGC meets ākonga needs and aligns with the strategic direction of the kura.
The PGC is based on elements set out by the Teaching Council:
- The tumuaki works with teaching kaimahi to facilitate a shared understanding of the Standards, and what meeting and using them looks like within our kura.
- The tumuaki develops their PGC and shares this with the kaihono to plan any support that is needed.
- The tumuaki engages in professional learning and practice development within a network of colleagues, using the Standards.
- The tumuaki seeks feedback on their practice from a range of sources, including the kaihono or their delegate.
- A professional learning network colleague (i.e. the
endorser) confirms annually that the tumuaki has participated in the PGC, and endorses whether the tumuaki meets or is likely to meet the Standards.The person who endorses the tumuaki is selected in collaboration with the kaihono and the professional learning network. The endorser follows guidelines provided by the Teaching Council.
The endorser makes a decision based on collaboration within the network and evidence-based conversation. The endorser is not expected to collect evidence about the performance of the tumuaki.
The endorser confirms that the tumuaki has participated in the PGC, and provides a statement about whether the tumuaki meets or is likely to meet the Standards of the Teaching Profession.
Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand: Aratohu Kaiohia | Endorser Guidelines 
- If, in the endorser’s judgement, the tumuaki does not meet or is not likely to meet the Standards, they discuss this with the tumuaki.
The tumuaki may be endorsed as meeting the Standards (Tūturu | Full Practising Certificate – Category One), or as not currently able to be endorsed as meeting all the Standards, but considered likely to meet them (Pūmau | Full Practising Certificate – Category Two).
The PGC process meets privacy and records retention requirements. See Privacy Policy and Kura Records Retention and Disposal.
Professional learning network
The PGC supports ongoing professional growth of the tumuaki as part of a professional learning network of colleagues. The tumuaki participates in a professional learning network in order to assess their own capability in meeting the Standards. The tumuaki also supports colleagues to carry out their own PGC.
All members of the professional learning network must hold a Tūturu | Full Practising Certificate, as members are responsible for endorsement decisions regarding re-certification.
The professional learning network may operate locally or remotely, and may connect in person or through digital platforms. These networks may exist already (e.g. a Kāhui Ako group), or may be created specifically for the PGC.
The Teaching Council recommends five or six members as an optimal number for a network. This allows members to establish a collective professional purpose, positively challenge each other, engage in feedback, and provide support as required. The tumuaki receives support from the network, and provides reciprocal support to the other members.
One person within the network is responsible for endorsing the tumuaki as meeting the Standards. It is not recommended that two people within a network are responsible for endorsing each other.
As a member of the professional learning network, the tumuaki follows a kaupapa (set of principles) set out by the Teaching Council:
- observe confidentiality
- support the agreed facilitator
The facilitator for meetings of a professional learning network may be a member of the network, or an external facilitator. If meetings are facilitated by members of the network, the facilitator role may cycle through different members. Facilitation may also be delegated to a person who is not a kura leader, but an external facilitator cannot professionally endorse other members.
Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand: Aratohu Kaiohia | Endorser Guidelines
- share responsibility for enriching the discussion
- come to hui on time, prepared, informed, and open minded
- contribute to the group by being responsive, reflective, and supportive
- agree to intentionally address the elements of the PGC
- ensure that the endorsement process is followed.
Resources
- Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand:
: Term 4 2024, Term 4 2022
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