I am New Zealand born and raised with Scottish and Irish ancestry. For the past 20 years I have been whole heartedly involved in the lives of children within my local community. Firstly as a community worker and then as a teacher and professional learning facilitator.
I am surrounded by whānau that have gone before me and provided the me with the gift of knowing that I am the product of generations of love. Then there are my whānau that surround me in the present, my two sons and my six mokopuna. With each relationship and experience my whakapapa becomes richer. One of the things that I am strengthened by is that I know I am never alone, I come with the strength and inherited mana of my tipuna and whānau. Passed down through my genes and DNA are the values and traits that are at the heart of what I do and who I am - kindness, bravery and resilience have seen past generations flourish and continue to be evident in all that we embrace as a whānau.
During my professional journey I have been part of the amazing Educational Leadership Project whānau. The knowledge, passion and desire to ensure that the mokopuna of our mokopuna flourish is evident in all that ELP represents. I have also been fortunate to be part of amazing teaching teams that understand the importance of continuing to stretch and grow professional practice. It has been and continues to be an amazing journey that stretches my practice as a mentor, teacher and facilitator, there is nothing like the collaboration that happens amongst highly motivated teachers and facilitators intent on providing better outcomes for tamariki, kaiako and whānau.
During Covid-19, when faced with my own thoughts for an extended period of time, and through deeply thinking about my own whakapapa, I was challenged to believe in myself. I have been mentoring teachers and leaders for 20 years and have come to realise that this is foundational for growing the successful future of Aotearoa. When teachers and leaders are continually rethinking their thinking there is more likelihood in creating learning and teaching practices that will grow a flourishing Aotearoa.
So here I am, ko Lynn Rupe toku ingoa, doing what I love, supporting and growing learning and teaching practice in collaboration with many teachers across Aotearoa.
Lynn’s contact email - Lynn@educatingheartsandminds.com
Ehara taku toa,i te toa takitahi,engari he toa takitini.
My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success, but success of a collective. Cooperation of many can bring best results.