At Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI), we are committed to enhancing the support we provide to educators and mentors. One of our senior educators, Lindsay Fish, has developed a new resource hub called Pātaka that makes mentoring more efficient and effective. This initiative reflects our dedication to building strong, supportive educational communities where both teachers and students can grow and thrive.
What is Pātaka?
Pātaka is a comprehensive online resource hub designed to support teachers and mentors throughout their careers. By providing access to quality mentoring tools, resources, and a thriving community, Pātaka helps teachers develop and maintain effective mentoring practices.
Mentoring is crucial in the education sector. It plays a key role in developing confident, resilient teachers—whether it happens formally between associate teachers and student teachers, faculty heads and their staff, or informally among colleagues. Pātaka is a centralised storehouse for all the resources teachers need, making mentoring more streamlined and impactful.
How Pātaka Supports Mentors
Educator feedback consistently shows that mentors need three things to do their job well: time, resources, and community support. Pātaka is specifically designed to meet all of these needs:
- Saving Time: We understand that teachers are busy. Pātaka helps mentors save time by gathering focused, practical resources in one easy-to-access place. Instead of reinventing the wheel, mentors can quickly find what they need to address common teaching challenges and move forward with more meaningful discussions.
- Providing High-Quality Resources: Mentors often find themselves addressing the same issues with different mentees. Pātaka offers curated resources that can pre-empt these conversations, providing mentees with the knowledge they need to solve common problems independently. Additionally, Pātaka helps mentors refine their own mentoring skills with proven strategies and tools.
- Building a Community: Pātaka isn’t just about resources—it’s also about fostering connections. By creating a community where mentors can share experiences, resources, and knowledge, Pātaka helps educators support one another. Whether through online sharing or local networking, Pātaka brings mentors together to build stronger teaching communities.
Te Reo Māori Resources: 52 Weeks Initiative
Pātaka also offers resources aimed at helping teachers integrate te reo Māori into their classrooms. The 52 Weeks initiative provides free resources for everyday te reo, including waiata, karakia, pepehā, pōwhiri language, classroom instructions, and subject-specific vocabulary. These resources are popular among both new and experienced teachers as they work to enrich their classrooms with te reo Māori.
Why Pātaka Matters for Education
Effective mentoring is critical for the development of skilled, resilient teachers. Pātaka addresses the core needs of educators by saving time, providing essential resources, and fostering community. Whether you are a mentor or a teacher seeking support, Pātaka is a valuable resource hub designed to help you succeed in your role.
For more information about how Pātaka can help you, visit www.pataka.ac.nz.