Latest Te Arawai Ako fellows celebrated

Te Arawai Ako helps support staff involved in teaching and learning to gain recognition for meeting professional standards in teaching and become accredited as an associate fellow, fellow, or senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HE), with fellowship recognised globally.

Those celebrated included postgraduate students, tutors, professional staff members, and academic staff from a range of disciplines and roles. This year, recipients were recognised from groups across the University, including from Student Learning, Careers and Employment, the Centre for Academic Development, and 19 candidates from schools and faculties.

A new award given at this year’s celebration recognised significant service over time to Te Arawai Ako mentors and assessors. Eight mentors were presented with these awards.

Te Arawai Ako translates to the learning and teaching waterway, helping people come together, make connections, and receive support from across the University.

While participating in the programme, attendees step back from the pressure of day-to-day teaching and supporting learning. They are given time and mentoring to reflect on their practice and its impact on their students and learners.

Dr Leanne Pool, lecturer in the School of Health and recipient of a senior fellowship, says completing the programme encouraged her to look back on her journey into education.

Before coming to Te Herenga Waka, Leanne had already spent 30 years in nursing education, and after completing an Educational Doctorate, she was excited by the opportunity to return to teaching, and start what felt like a new chapter as an "early career" nurse academic.

“The programme has given me the space to examine my experiences as a teacher, leader, and nurse academic, while connecting me with colleagues from across the University.

“Perhaps the most influential part of the senior fellowship journey for me was participating in a Teaching and Learning Circle with fellow nursing academics. Through our discussions, we discovered many shared threads in our leadership experiences, particularly our commitment to relationships, collaboration, and the growth of others.

“If I were to recommend this programme to others, it would not simply be because of the recognition that comes at the end, I would recommend it because it creates the space to pause and consider the impact we have as educators," she says.

Sherrie Lee, a career consultant with the Careers and Employment team says preparing for the associate fellowship through Te Arawai Ako helped her rediscover that educator identity, bringing her into the higher education context of teaching and learning.

“It has helped me articulate the educational dimensions in career services delivery and develop my position and philosophy as a higher education professional,” she says.

One thing that surprised Sherrie during the fellowship process was that it was not just for academics and instead welcomed all who were involved in the learning of their students.

“If you're a professional staff member who supports the learning of our students, here is an opportunity to unpack your process and be recognised for your commitment to high standards.”

The full list of those who received fellowships is as follows: