Navigating for Pasifika in Education – Conversations with Mentors
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This study explored how schools can disrupt current practice to improve outcomes for Pasifika. The study identified the mind shift that needs to take place in schools by teachers, its leaders, and the community the school serves to improve outcomes for Pasifika and the characteristics that teachers can possess to be able to work effectively with Pasifika. A qualitative methodology was employed for this research using semi structured interviews of four key adults who work closely with Pasifika students in a school. Purposive sampling was used as a method to select these adults because they all have unique roles in the school that require a close working relationship with our Pasifika community. The findings from this study indicate that teachers and leaders must firstly be conscious about the part they play in constructing and reinforcing the stereotypes for Pasifika before they are able to improve outcomes for Pasifika. The findings identified some significant knowledge and attributes that teachers need or can build upon to work successfully with Pasifika in schools. In this way, educators would be demonstrating vā and then to teu le vā so that they can navigate Pasifika through education.