BLAKE Inspire for Teachers 2020

In October 2020, 29 teachers took part in BLAKE Inspire for Teachers. The programme offers delegates hands-on, experiential learning and leadership development opportunities through a range of field trips, workshops and exercises with a focus on four critical environmental issues: climate change, biodiversity loss, marine and freshwater decline.

The group visited Sawmill Brewery to hear about their sustainable business practices and B-Corporation certification; and experienced predator-free Tiritiri Matangi Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf and learning about its conservation programme. They visited Ruapōtaka Marae to establish an understanding of Mātauranga Māori by exploring how connections and relationships, living, and non-living are made through Tikanga.

Teachers come away from the programme with practical ways to understand and teach environmental issues across all subjects and learn how to create action plans to increase emphasis on conservation and sustainability within their schools.

“Amazing week. Was a pure pleasure to be selected and I feel very honored that I had the chance to increase my knowledge and learnt from experts in the field. The passion of the staff and experts was fantastic and motivated me to do more and better. Amazing professional development, best I have ever been on.”

– BLAKE Inspire for Teachers 2020 delegate.