Matalena
Tuiloma
Professional Learning Facilitator
Qualifications
Masters of Education (Inclusive and Special Education, Curriculum, Pedagogy and Culturally responsive practices) University of Canterbury
Postgraduate diploma in Secondary Teaching and Learning (Social Sciences) University of Canterbury
Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences) University of Canterbury
Professional profile
Matalena is from Tuvaluan and Samoan descent born in Ōtautahi and raised in North Canterbury.
Matalena's passion for her Pasifika heritage has supported and led, school based Pasifika workshops for students, parents, leadership teams and staff. She has also been involved in community sports initiatives and mentoring to support improvement.
Matalena has a Secondary and Intermediate background, teaching specifically Senior and Junior Social Sciences, Maths and English. Since teaching, Matalena has worked for an education evaluation agency, where her particular interests in evaluation for improvement, governance, strategy, thinking and data analysis have built strong relationships within school networks to improve equitable outcomes for learners.
She has a keen interest in equity, social justice and special education.
Expertise
Student engagement and learning
Use student voice to inform learning
Use evidence and project based learning methods
Use culturally responsive practices to inform leadership decisions
Empower cultural capital
Create agentic learners
Evaluation for Improvement
Strategic thinking
Incorporating local expertise
Data analysis
Synthesising and developing solutions for improvement
Developing education case studies
Personal statement
"O le ala i le pule o le tautua - the pathway to leadership is through service
It is a privilege to be in a position to work alongside Kur and fanau. As a mother I understand the importance education can provide. As someone who has travelled I understand the value of respect for other cultures which can impact learning and growth. As someone who lives on the east side of Christchurch, I understand the importance of resilience and wellbeing. As a Pasifika woman, where we are few, I understand the need for equity and equality to be more visible in spaces of change.
