Trainee Science Teacher | Teach First NZ Leadership Development Programme (Nov 2022)

Ngā mihi nui. Kia manawanui, kia toa.Ko te piko o te māhuri, tērā te tupu o te rākau. 

The way the sapling is shaped determines how the tree grows.

Who is Ako Mātātupu?

All young people in Aotearoa have potential, but not all young people have equal opportunities. In fact, Aotearoa has one of the highest rates of educational inequality in the developed world, ranking 33rd out of 38 in UNICEF's latest report. Our education system is four times more likely to fail a student from a low-socioeconomic community.

Ako Mātātupu is an Indigenous-led social change organisation that is working hard to address this challenge. We do this by training great people to become teachers and leaders who will actively disrupt the system so that every young person in Aotearoa can reach their potential.  

We are looking for people who share this vision to join the movement and become paid trainee teachers in your subject area through the Teach First NZ Programme. 

If this sounds like a bit of you, read on!

What will I gain from doing the Teach First NZ Programme? 

As a participant in our two-year Teach First NZ Programme, you will gain employment as a trainee teacher in a low-income community, play a critical role in creating an equitable education system for young people, and gain a formal teaching qualification that will set you up for a diverse and meaningful career. 

This is the ultimate earn-while-you-learn opportunity!

What kind of careers do Teach First NZ Graduates pursue? 

Many of our grads continue to teach and move into management positions in the schools they were employed in during the programme. 

Others go on to advocate for change in Aotearoa’s non-profit, social enterprise, research and government sectors. 

And others join the movement overseas, fighting educational inequity with one of our global Teach For All partners: https://teachforall.org/network-partners

Wherever you end up - you’ll be doing your bit to see all rangatahi thrive on a local, national or global scale!

Here’s the Teach First NZ opportunity in a nutshell: 

• Be a part of a national movement towards change, making a real difference in the community and in the lives of our rangatahi
• Earn as you learn - receiving a salary as a teacher in one of our amazing partner schools from January 2023. (You can find out more about your salary here: https://teachfirstnz.org/assets/uploads/How-much-will-I-be-paid-Updated-February2022.pdf
• Receive a scholarship to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching (that means no pesky fees or student loans!)
• Benefit from expert mentoring and support throughout your entire learning journey
• Graduate as a fully qualified secondary school teacher with a clear career path
• Join a community of influential Kairapu (alumni) working towards an Aotearoa we can all be proud of

Does this opportunity sound like you?

Find more information on the Teach First NZ website: https://teachfirstnz.org 

Request an e-info pack: https://tfnz.typeform.com/infopack 

Test your eligibility with this quick quiz: https://tfnz.typeform.com/to/bJzDeg 

And submit your application here: https://teachfirstnz.org/applications

Please note, to be eligible for this opportunity you cannot currently hold a qualification that allows you to teach in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Teach First NZ programme provides support for you to develop into a highly effective teacher and inspirational leader, to serve the amazing young people in our lowest-income communities across the motu.

What you can expect from the Teach First NZ recruitment process 

1. Apply online: Complete the application form: https://teachfirstnz.org/applications
2. Phone interview: Successful applicants will be invited to a phone interview. This is an opportunity for you to discuss your alignment with the kaupapa in more detail through a 20-30 minute kōrero (conversation).
3. Ako Centre: Candidates who are successful after the phone interview will be invited to a one-day online Ako Centre. You will participate in a pepehā process; interview; group exercise; and deliver a sample teaching lesson with self-reflection exercises.
4. Offer: If you are successful at an Ako Centre, congratulations! You will be made an offer to start your leadership journey with Ako Mātātupu!
5. Programme Commences: You will participate in a seven-week intensive training programme that will commence on 13 November 2022. You will then start your new career as a trainee teacher in January 2023!

Job Location: Nationwide, wherever we have partner schools of decile 1-5.

Our commitment to you

Ako Mātātupu is an indigenous-led organisation steered by Tangata Whenua and committed to honouring the Tiriti o Waitangi in every aspect of our work. We welcome all applications and work hard to ensure our recruitment process is equitable and responsive. 

If you have any questions or would like to advise us of any individual considerations at any stage in the process, please feel free to email Alysha Bentley - Kāuru Akatoro | Recruitment Lead at apply@teachfirstnz.org, or give us a call on 0800 TO LEAD (0800 86 5323). We look forward to hearing from you.

Ngā mihi nui. Kia manawanui, kia toa.