As previously mentioned, I teach in a bubble. I did an analysis of ethnic makeup in my classroom and discovered what I already knew. Out of the 73 faces I will have in my room today, 67 are identified on the school servers as New Zealand European, 4 as New Zealand European/Maori, 1 as French, 1 as Thai. Did someone say WASP’s?
The young women I teach in my English classes have expressed in speeches and class discussions how they feel intimidated and uncomfortable when they are in their uniform and they see students, especially Maori students, from other schools. They feel prejudged. Now, you have to realise that they say this without the slightest hint of irony. Without the slightest inkling that they are in any way in a position of cultural power. They make comments that Professor Russell Bishop delicately refers to as ‘deficit thinking.’
It’s easy for me to see that it’s vitally important that we acknowledge the Maori students in a way that cares for them, and cares for their performance. But on the other side of that coin I think I’m in a great position to challenge students on the ‘deficit explanations’ they bring to the classroom. I know these attitudes come from parents and peers. Gee, I only have to offer my divergent opinion on the topic of Maori incarceration rates with my in-laws and you can see the blinkers going on, the stereotypes being prepared, and the tub-thumping beginning. I am not naive enough to believe I can change attitudes entrenched over a lifetime. But the classroom – that’s a different thing.
I know what to do in the classroom. I develop relationship-centered learning models, I use a range of strategies that give feedback and feedforward, and I encourage my Maori students to aim high, to be excellent. Honestly, it’s not difficult in my bubble. As teachers, we are supported by a Principal and a Board who want to see our Maori students achieving at the highest level.
What is difficult is changing the mindset of the other students. This is a country that has top level sportspeople as icons and where we hear comments like this from Martin Crowe in 2003: “Maori do not make good cricketers because they struggle to concentrate for a day. Many Maori do not have the temperament or patience to play an entire day of cricket, let alone in a test match, which usually lasts five days.” I have heated ‘deficit thinking’ discussions with otherwise rational rugby friends who believe wholeheartedly that Maori are good for the All Blacks because of the warrior mentality and physicality they bring, but that they don’t make good first fives because of the intelligence required.
I’m telling you now, you can go into any rugby club in the country and there will be a good number of well-respected members who spout that view. And who have their own bubble of bar-leaners who validate them.
So, I know I’ve taken this discussion away from the readings, but it’s only because I feel passionate about this topic.
My job, as a teacher who doesn’t see many (if any) Maori students in my classroom, is to stand up for Maori in absentia. To get students thinking about what they are saying when they comment on ‘feeling intimidated’. To get those students to reflect on their own cultural capital, and the advantages they enjoy, to put themselves in the shoes of a minority group. To ask questions like WHY such a high proportion of Maori are falling through the cracks in our system.
If I can get my students to debate these topics with thoughtfulness, clarity, and well-researched arguments, I just might get brave enough to bring it up with my in-laws again.
References:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3052026
Bishop, R., Berryman, M., Cavanagh, T. & Teddy, L. (2009).Te Kotahitanga: Addressing educational disparities facing Māori students in New Zealand. Teaching and Teacher Education, 25(5),734–742.
Bucher, R. (2008). Building Cultural Intelligence (CQ): Nine Megaskills. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
Teacher Reflections 
I really enjoyed reading your post Greg and found it far more engaging and worthy of a read than if you had spouted of a range of research and literature. It really excites me to hear how you see your role in a classroom that has a low Maaori population. Without teachers in your position working to educate and change the mindset of non-Maoi towards Maori it will remain a truly hard battle to fight. It is an issue that impacts on all members of Aotearoa – not just Maaori and not just those that work alongside Maari.
Tino pai Greg.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your style of writing. I shifted to the South Island about 3 years ago and I was initially shocked by comments that people I met outside of school, got to know and liked, made in relation to things Maori. I do believe that attitude is changing though. I look at how our National Anthem is now sung compared to when the Maori version was first introduced. It will be interesting during this present Lions tour when
Tutira mai nga iwi will be attempted to be sung at the games. These are little things but they help change attitudes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed reading this and your passion comes through clearly. I have had a humbling 15 years in NZ realising and challenging my own ‘WASP’ bubble which, as you say, is a lack of understanding of what it is like to be on the side of a different fence rather than anything actively discriminatory. In our Decile 9 Auckland North Shore school we have had to work hard at a complete mind shift along the lines you are referring too – (to combat ‘I have no Maori students in my class attitude’ to get teachers to take responsibility to educate all students to understand perspectives/inequity and what real biculturalism looks like and how to give our minority of Pasifika and Maori students a place in which they see themselves, and all other students see them, IN the school that is not just on a rugby field or in a photograph of a cultural dance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Again, another good read, thanks Greg!! Good luck with those in-laws.
LikeLike
Great post Greg. I have the same thing with my in laws. Have given up trying to change their attitudes too. You are right about challenging the perceptions of all students about Maori. It is up to us to actively dispel those myths like ‘Maori are kinetic learners’ etc. I can’t believe Martin Crowe actually said that comment about concentration! Not a big cricket fan anyway. I try to use te reo as much as I can in the classroom and believe all my students can achieve if they put the work in. Having high expectations is key.
LikeLike
I also enjoyed reading this. Your honesty and matter of fact points were articulate and thoughtful. I work in a school which is situated in the Bay of Plenty so have a stark difference with regard to ethnicity but I still see some of that deficit thinking from students, parents, and, on occasion, staff. Our goals in school are centred around raising Maori achievement and, more importantly, seeing Maori achieve as Maori. Although this has raised some interesting questions the discussion around it is incredibly valuable. Thank you for sharing this.
LikeLike
Hey Jaime, are you blogging too? If you provide a link I’d love to have a look at what you are posting. 🙂
LikeLike
Greg, you’ve nailed it again. I got a bit behind (study wise) and in order to focus myself i went straight to your blog!!
You have a talent for writing and engaging – enjoy pushing those boundaries in your bubble – love it!!!
LikeLike
Thank you! It’s fun putting these blogs out….I’m enjoying this part of the course more than any other. Are you making your blogposts public? I’d like to have a squizz at what you’re writing! 😀
LikeLike