Giftedness and Talent Pasifika Styles Sharing our values

Giftedness and Talent - Pasifika Styles! Sharing our values, ideas and understanding of giftedness and talent so that we are working together to support our Gifted and Talented Pasifika students to excel. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

What is Giftedness and Talent? Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

§ Individuals or groups who are exceptional, or have the potential to be, in that they are extremely able in one or more areas, and more so than most others in their age peer group. § Found among people from all cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic groups. § May also have physical, sensory, psychological and/or learning disabilities and these may fall anywhere along the continuum from mild to severe/complex. § May show high levels of creativity and task commitment. § Includes strengths, interests, skills and personal qualities. Perceptions of what is exceptional and what high ability is, varies between and within cultures, and varies over time. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Why is this important? Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

§ To be able to effectively identify, assess and support gifted students, co-ordinating appropriate learning opportunities which best support their learning needs using a strengths-based model. § To find an equitable way of identifying students from a variety of ethnicities so as to acknowledge “the potential of diverse students” (Ford, 2003, p 512) and successfully provide for their educational needs. § Students have the right to see themselves reflected (and affirmed) in the curriculum - Ford, 2003, p 516 § Gifted and talented students represent a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds and ages, and a multiplicity of gifts and talents. Schools’ definitions and identification processes, as well their provision, should reflect this diversity. -Education Review Office, 2008 Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Core Education Digital Media. (2014). Identifying Gifted and Talented. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Characteristics § Research on Pasifika and more specific cultural identifiers § Need to understand cultural values and conceptions of giftedness in own community to identify gifted students § Many students will identify with more than one ethnic/cultural identity § Highly unlikely any one individual will show all characteristics. Checklists show types of behaviours not degree/intensity, so supporting information is crucial. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Core Education Digital Media. (2014). Student Explains his Giftedness. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

What the Research Suggests These findings may or may not reflect your own views and experiences. You might like to reflect on: § what, if anything, surprises you § if you have any ‘aha’ moments § what other ideas you would like to add § what questions you have Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Cross-Cultural Characteristics § Reasons well (good thinker) § Shows compassion § Learns rapidly § Is a perfectionist § Has an extensive vocabulary § Is intense § Has an excellent memory § Has a long attention span (if interested) § Is sensitive (feels hurt easily) § Is morally sensitive § Is strongly curious § Perseveres (when interested) Adaptation of Linda Silverman’s work from Nurturing Giftedness and Talent (p 17). Full version of the original list may be located at http: //www. gifteddevelopment. com/What_is_Gifted/characgt. htm. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Pasifika § Adaptability § Resilience § Good memory § Lineage/Birth right § Church affiliation § Language fluency § Commitment to excellence § Leadership § Relationships § Representation Faaea‐Semeatu, T. (2011). Celebrating Gifted Indigenous Toots: Gifted and Talented Pacific Island (Pasifika) Students. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Cook Islands Maori § Leaderships skills § Good memory § Skills as a dancer § Ability to harmonise when singing § Ability to know and explain Cook Islands culture to others § Excellent vocabulary (in one or more language) § Ability to bring the community together with a sense of unified purpose § Able to lead in singing and chanting Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

§ Involvement in the community for the benefit of others § Good communications skills § Early development of skill in the performing arts § Has carefully reasoned understanding of right and wrong § Good knowledge of the bible § Skill as an orator (public speaker) Miller, G. (2005). Exploring Perceptions of Giftedness in the Cook Islands Maori Community. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Samoan § Having special abilities and being multi-talented § Innate and needs to be nurtured § Based on culture and language § Having ‘mana’ or an ‘aura’ linked to spirituality § Strong leadership skills § Giftedness to be shared in service to others § Demonstrated by challenging personality § Ability to work in two worlds Excerpt from: Jessie Fuamatu (2008). E ala mai mauga le manuia. Unpublished MEd thesis, University of Auckland. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Tongan § Possession of knowledge worthwhile to society and therefore acknowledged by others § Ability to practice and pass on knowledge § Social status within group § Spiritual/mystical elements which give power/influence Frengley-Vaipuna, I. , Kupu-Mac. Intyre, L. , & Riley, T. (2011). Successful Tongan Students in New Zealand Secondary Schools: Default or Design? . Kairaranga, 12(2), 42 -51. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Maori • Fluent spoken te reo Māori • Can deliver a karanga, mihi or whaikōrero appropriate to the occasion • Broad knowledge of Māori, hapū, and iwi history and tikanga • Broad knowledge of Māori mythology, can interpret myth messages in a contemporary context • Advanced practical and creative ability in some form of Māori art or craft (e. g. , carving, weaving) • Advanced performing and creative ability in some form of Māori music (e. g. , composes haka, has an extensive repertoire of traditional waiata) • Advanced ability in Māori games, pastimes and practices (e. g. , taiaha expertise) Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

• Keen interest in and wide knowledge of whānau, hapū and iwi whakapapa • Deep appreciation of traditional Māori values such as manaakitanga, wairuatanga and whanaungatanga and embodies these in word and action • In-depth knowledge of traditional healing principles and practices • Strong sense of Māori identity and incorporates cultural content and allusion in many fields of endeavour • Possesses and is accorded a high degree of mana from peers • Well developed sense of altruism and is selfless in service to others Bevan-Brown, J. M. (2004). Gifted and talented Māori learners. In D. Mac. Alpine & R. Moltzen (Eds. ), Gifted and talented: New Zealand perspectives(2 nd Ed. ) (pp. 171 -196). Massey University: Kanuka Grove Press. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Where to From Here? § Consult with your students, families and broader school community § Share the current research § Discussion and questionnaires as an opportunity for community to: § identify values and beliefs around characteristics § suggest ways for most effective home/school communication § work with and support the school and students § follow-up by sharing your findings § Analysis of findings Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

§ Diarise review date § consider including questionnaire in enrolment pack for annual review § Develop list of identifiers and provide staff with PD around what to look for and nomination process § Ensure a multi-categorical approach using identifiers § Design appropriate differentiated assessment and learning provisions based on information gathered § Assess effectiveness of these in consultation with your students and their whanau; adjust and refine in response to feedback § Next cycle of consultation Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Putting it into Action By yourself or with others in your group: • Identify where the strengths lie within your school in regards to supporting gifted Pasifika students • What would you like to improve? • What questions do you have? • What are your next steps? • As a community of practice how might we support each other in this process of development? Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Professional Information and Support • TKI Gifted Community – Pasifika Students • Gifted Pasifika VLN • Core Education Digital Media • Ed. Talks • TKI Pasifika Education Community • Pasifika Education Centre • Ministry of Pacific Islands Affairs • Mo. E – Pasifika Education Including the Pacifika Education Plan Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Acknowledgements A special thank-you to Manu Faaea-Semeatu, Pasifika Facilitator with Core Education, for her support and guidance in developing this presentation. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

References § Bevan-Brown, J. M. (2004). Gifted and talented Māori learners. In D. Mac. Alpine & R. Moltzen (Eds. ), Gifted and talented: New Zealand perspectives(2 nd Ed. ) (pp. 171 -196). Massey University: Kanuka Grove Press. § Core Education Digital Media. (2014). Identifying Gifted and Talented. § Core Education Digital Media. (2014). Student Explains his Giftedness. § Education Review Office. (2008). Schools’ Provisions for Gifted and Talented Students. § Faaea‐Semeatu, T. (2011). Celebrating Gifted Indigenous Toots: Gifted and Talented Pacific Island (Pasifika) Students. . § Ford, D. Y. (2003). Equity and Excellence: Culturally Diverse Students in Gifted Education. In N. Colangelo, & G. A. Davis (Eds. ), Handbook of Gifted Education (Third ed. , pp. 506 -520). USA: Pearson Education, Inc. § Frengley-Vaipuna, I. , Kupu-Mac. Intyre, L. , & Riley, T. (2011). Successful Tongan Students in New Zealand Secondary Schools: Default or Design? . Kairaranga, 12(2), 42 -51. § Fuamatu, J. (2008). E ala mai mauga le manuia. Unpublished MEd thesis, University of Auckland. § Miller, G. (2005). Exploring Perceptions of Giftedness in the Cook Islands Maori Community. § New Zealand Crown. (2008). Nurturing Gifted and Talented Children: A Teacher-Parent Partnership. § New Zealand Crown. (2012). Gifted and Talented Students: Meeting their needs in New Zealand Schools. § Silverman, L. (1978). Characteristics of Giftedness. Vanessa White Lifting the Lid © 2014

Vanessa White Gifted Education Specialist Lifting the Lid on Gifted Education liftingthelid@outlook. com