Teachers build belonging as a foundation.
Adolescence is a critical window of brain development — especially in the areas tied to identity, belonging, and self-awareness. During this time, young people are wiring neural pathways that shape who they become and how they engage with learning.
In Aotearoa, culturally responsive teaching is a game-changer. It boosts engagement, wellbeing, and academic success — particularly for Māori and Pacific learners.
The Education Review Office’s 2022 report Education for All Our Children: Embracing Diverse Ethnicities shows that when schools centre culture, connection, and identity, students flourish both emotionally and academically.
“When we connect with who learners are, we connect with how they learn.”
Expert teachers do this every day. They create spaces where students feel seen, safe, and valued. Where culture is not just acknowledged — but woven into the fabric of learning.
Because when young people feel they belong, their brains are open and ready to learn. And that’s when the real growth begins.
#teachingshapeswhatmattersmost