NZ Resource Teacher Literacy's Sacking

16.12.25. A Facebook discussion I had with friends & family regarding the sacking of NZ Literacy Resource teachers who were formerly designated Resource Teacher Literacy (RT Lit). An RT Lit was a specialist teacher who visited schools to teach children who battled with language learning difficulties. An RT Lit also liaised with parents, teachers & school management. Each RT Lit had a specific area in NZ where they taught. For nine years my wife Leah was the RT Lit in South Canterbury, NZ.

Facebook:

Mark: This is how NZ National govt deals with dedicated teachers: In February 2025 Leah heard via the media that she would be sacked together with 200 odd English & Maori Literacy Resource teachers throughout NZ. Later school managers were informed of the sacking. Only in November did Leah receive an official letter from her base school's Board of Trustees informing Leah she was sacked!

Meanwhile Leah scrambled to secure different teaching posts in two primary schools in Pleasant Point & Timaru. From 2026 she will be using her Learning Disability teaching skills & Literacy teaching skills only in those two schools.

For the record: For nine years Leah was Resource Teacher Literacy for Southern Canterbury primary schools, a vast area involving intermittent advising & teaching in 40 rural & small town schools requiring huge mileage using her own car for transport to various towns: Along the N1 motorway: Winchester, Temuka, Timaru, St Andrews, Makikihi. Inland towns: Carew, Peel Forest, Woodbury, Geraldine, Pleasant Point (where we reside), Waimate, Waihao Downs. Alpine towns: Cannington, Albury, Fairlie, Lake Tekapo, Twizel, Mt Cook.

Of course we will be voting Labour in the next election!

Anne: All down to money, no thought for the teachers or how this will affect the children who will need extra help for a reason.

Mark: Agreed. Some vague new Coordinator teacher posts have been concocted to be introduced over coming years. Principals are battling to fill ordinary teaching posts! Never mind specialist teaching posts like Leah's. Kids, parents & teachers needing specialist help are just left hanging in the breeze...

John: This just makes me mad.

Mark: Near the end of Leah's career too. Many experts in the same boat. Minimum requirement for Leah's ex job was an Hons degree.

Marge: It is difficult to understand the thinking behind this decision. In no time all the years behind Leah's dedicated work will be lost.

Mark: True. And Erica Stanford is in charge of the present Ministry of Education. Her damages will need years to repair.

To be continued...



Copyright Mark JS Esslemont

Peel Forest, Fern Walk.

Friday 7 March 2025. Did the 3.3km Fern Walk with my son at the bottom of Mount Peel. As Fern Walk is not a circular walk, we used two cars parked at either end enabling us to walk one-way instead of a return 6.6km walk. We parked one car at Blandswood carpark near the end of Blandswood Rd, the other car parked at the Fern Walk start by Peel Forest Rd.

Many native ferns seen, including many tree-ferns, as well as mature native trees like totara, matai, fuschia, whitey-wood, mountain cedar... Several fantails seen & we heard bellbird calls enroute. The path was muddy in places, many slippery tree roots. DOC signs abounded & wooden steps are well maintained by DOC. Due to my short pace of 69cm, I added a half hour walking time to the DOC recommended time seen on DOC signs. A pleasant forest bathe far from the madding crowd.

Copyright Mark JS Esslemont.