MIT Rarotonga Trip

The Manaiakalani Innovative Teachers cohort for 2021 was fortunate enough to go to Rarotonga. The main reason we went was so that we could present our teacher challenges and attack plan to the teachers on the Island. We even had a few teachers from the 2020 cohort join us.

The official start of this trip was Tuesday night. We met together at our resort to discuss how our day would be like on the Wednesday. And what a treat we were in for! 

On Wednesday, the Primary School Apii Te Uki Ou put on a cultural experience for us. When we arrived, we were welcomed onto the school by the staff and children in a cultural calling. They wanted to put on a show for us, and a show it was! The children danced beautifully, sang beautifully, they were even playing their own music. The children even got us involved in their performances. A bit rusty on the dancing, but it was a whole heap of fun. After this performance, the school put together some cultural experiences for us to take part in. The different stations were Pareu Printing, Coconut Husking and Weaving Plates. We even got the opportunity to walk around the school, seeing the teachers and students in their element. This experience was so rich and rewarding!

That night we had our Pecha Kucha presentations. I was nervous, but it was amazing to see the turnout of staff from around the island come together to watch us. They were supportive of our presentations, listening to what we had to say, and they stayed back after our speeches to speak more about our challenges - some similar to what they face.

On Thursday, big shout out to Mark Harris for taking us around to different schools. We got to see the different teaching styles and how the other schools operated. It was such a special experience. The different schools we visited were Imanuela Akatemia, Arorangi School, Tereora College, St Joseph's School, Avarua School and Takitumu School. A big thank you to them for having us!

Then on Thursday night, Apii Te Uki Ou put something else together for us - an Umu! Yummmmm I tell you. I've had plenty of Umu and Hangi before, but this... this hit different. Maybe it was the experience that came with it but it was delicious! They gave us gifts as well, and we were able to give them a few gifts to say thank you for all they had done. It meant so much to us that they put so many things together for us.

Unforgettable trip I tell you! Rich, rewarding and an amaaaaaazing experience.