Inspiring young minds
Tēnei te mihi ki a koutou
Ko Kakanui tōku maunga
Ko Kereru tōku awa
Ko Mataatua tōku waka
Ko Te Whanau-A-Apanui, ko Whakatōhea ōku iwi
Ko Te Ehutu tōku hapū
Ko Tukaki tōku marae
No Hāmoa tōku pāpā, he hononga hoki ōku ki tērā whenua
Ko J’Aime-Lee Godinet Meggitt tōku ingoa
There is a time in everyone’s life when one can look back and think of a teacher who saw the potential in us that others – including ourselves – couldn’t. That one teacher gave us the courage to find our own way, affirming us in our dreams. For many west Auckland students, they will attest to the impact J’Amie-Lee Godinet-Meggitt has had on them. HER has the honour of sharing this influential teacher’s story.
Soul searching
J’Aime-Lee Godinet-Meggitt is in her sixth year of teaching at Glen Eden Intermediate. With a roll of over 1000 students, she is the Assistant Principal of Te Henga Hapori – one of the four mini syndicates. She also has a Across Community Leader position for the Kōtuitui cluster.
Born and raised in West Auckland, J’Aime spent the first eight years of her life growing up in Massey. She says that up until this age, she was still finding who she was as a young Māori
“From a very young age I knew I was different. In primary I felt misplaced. I was unsure of who I was and how I fit into a school that was predominantely pakeha. I was Māori at home and when I would go down to my grandparents home in Te Kaha on the Eastern Bay of Plenty,” she recalls.
It wasn’t until she moved into a bilingual unit that she discovered a love of Te Ao Māori – Reo me ona Tikanga (the Māori world, language and its customs). This encouraged her to include her view of the world through Māori eyes.
Throughout her years at mainstream High School, she would fall victim to comments such as, “you’re really smart for a Māori,” or, “you don’t look like one of those Māori,” she says. These comments would be discussed at length with her parents – and they too could relate.
“The boxes and stereotypes that Māori were put in would end up being the driving force for me wanting to become a kaiako (teacher). My passion for reo and tikanga and all things Te Ao Māori came from a desire to see change, be a part of change and the desire to be a positive role model for Māori and Pasifika leaders.”
Life as a Kaiako
The 31-year-old now has a thriving career in teaching. Her love for Te Ao Māori lies in being able to share her understanding and the value she places on this with kaiako and in particular, all tauira (students) irrespective of their cultural background.
“I didn’t have any culturally located spaces at my first primary school and it had a huge impact on me. For me, Te Reo (Māori language) is the window to Te Ao Māori,” she shares.
It has only been in the last five years that she has started studying again. Exploring the deep meaning and connection to her whenua and tūpuna.
“I regret not taking te reo in high school and I regret feeling ashamed and embarrassed to be of Māori descent. Now I thrive on being able to share my understanding and love of reo with my students. Reinventing the wheel and delivering Te Reo that fosters their love of a culture which is special to anyone who lives in New Zealand.”
For J’Aime, seeing her students excited to go to school is a rewarding aspect of her job. As well as seeing their positive interactions with one another.
“What’s most rewarding for me is watching kids grow, seeing them overcome challenges and me feeling somewhat better about the type of person they leave my class come the end of the year. We have tamariki from all walks of life, some of them with true hardship, so to see them achieve in any aspect of school is really special.”
She has also found that it is really empowering being a Māori/Samoan teacher and that her Māori and Pasifika students instantly identify and connect with her.
“There is something special about having a Māori/Pasifika teacher in a school. Our Māori/Pasifika kids are instantly drawn to them, trust them and feel some sort of connection to their kura instantly.”
Inspiring Mana Wāhine
Of both Māori and Samoan descent, J’Aime comes from a whānau of strong and independent women.
“My great grandmothers were both fluent in their mother tongue (Māori and Samoan) and both were the matriarchs of their extended families,” she shares.
“The women in my family are hardworking.. and they have a deep connection and belief of a higher power. There is something mysterious and beautiful about women in my whānau. My mum is definitely on a pedestal.”
It is this strength that she tries to instil in her female students. At intermediate school, this is a crucial age for children transitioning to becoming young teens. J’Aime has seen how girls have it so much harder now than when she was at school.
“Social media has a big part to play in this. I hear so much how students suffer from anxiety and depression. Our girls now are less resilient and there is a real fear of not fitting into the ‘norms,’” she says.
She has formed a group at her school called Empowering Young Women to Lead Change where young girls are in control of educating and empowering themselves to take on key issues that affect their lives.
“We had a series of workshops aimed at building a positive and safe environment where the girls could participate and identify their own leadership style… also a chance to talk about the many adolescent issues and changes they go through as young wāhine.”
J’Aime continues to be a voice for her female students and as a soon-to-be Mama herself, she is passionate about collaborating more with other teachers to create positive change in their work.
“We need Universities to prepare our student teachers for the realities of the classroom and we need to value and hold high expectations for all our tamariki regardless of their cultural background.”
And if she could tell her younger-self one thing throughout her journey as a teacher and Māori woman it would be this:
“Trust the process. Plant the seeds and let the flowers flourish and manifest.”
Kia Kaha, Wāhine Toa
WANT A CAREER IN TEACHING?
If you are in New Zealand, head over to TeachNZ to find out how you can get qualified.
CLICK HERE
Thank you J’Aime for sharing your journey as a kaiako. I know so many will be able to relate to your story as a young Maori, trying to navigate who you are. I pray that your work will continue to inspire a new generation of FEARLESS wāhine toa.
Rutherford for life lol xxxx