Ruta McKenzie
Ruta is an Early Years facilitator for the South Island.
Ruta has been involved in early childhood professional development working for 5 years at the University of Canterbury on contracts with the Ministry of Education. This involved working with teachers and senior team leaders in varied settings facilitating and challenging teachers' pedagogical thinking and beliefs, enabling them to make transformative change in their practice. Ruta has also played a vital role in the Pasifika reference group at the Ministry of Education sharing discourse and dialogue which requires siginificant change to pasifika students' achievements. While undertaking this professional development work, Ruta took the opportunity to start her Master of Teaching and Learning at the University of Canterbury. She has completed two courses and hopes to continue this study in the future.
Ruta is very passionate about early years education and the diverse cultures in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Her interests and passions include working with Pasifika families and other cultures, leadership in early childhood, learning environments, bicultural practice and assessment.
- McKenzie R. (2009) The Web writing: Transition to school: Moving from a Pasifika early childhood centre to a Palagi school.
- McKenzie R. (2005) The Adviser: Article on Community of Learners: Does it make a difference? School of Professional Development, Christchurch College of Education, Christchurch.
- McKenzie R. (2009, November) Seminar presented at the South Canterbury cluster. Timaru: Transition to school "Moving from a Pasifika early childhood to a Palagi school."
- McKenzie R. (2009 October) Workshop presented at the "Mini Conference - Transition to school", Hamilton. "Knowing the learner is precious."
- McKenzie R. (2009, September) Workshop presented at the Saasia Conference, Wellington: "Cast the net into deeper waters."
- McKenzie R. (2008) Workshop presented at UC Education Plus - Leadership in early childhood: The fish philosophy.
- McKenzie R. (2008) Workshop presented at the local Ministry - Special education, Christchurch. The faletele model: Te Whariki in Action from a Samoan perspective.
- McKenzie R. (2007) Workshop presented at Hui Topu - Wellington: Sharing some of the stories about the Pasifika leadership cluster in Christchurch.
- McKenzie R. (2007) Workshop presented at Hui Topu – Wellington: What does sociocultural look like from a Samoan perspective?
- McKenzie J. (2006, May) Presented workshop on Kei Tua o te Pae at the Fagasa Conference, Invercargill.
- McKenzie R. (2005, September) Presented Kei Tua o te Pae: (Pasifika lens) at the Saasia conference – Christchurch.
- Certificate of acknowledgement: Service to Pasifika early childhood education (2010)
