Te ToroaTitiroTawhiti
Emancipation through education
Emancipation through education, the dreams of organised teachers:Remembering our history.
Herbison Lecture: Joce Jesson
Abstract
This presentation retraces some of the often ignored history of Aotearoa/New Zealand education that has created various aspects of the education structures, dating back to 1860s. Of particular interest is the relationship between educational innovation and change that has come about through the active involvement of teachers as policy champions as they pursue their goal of a professional project. These long established but evolving processes form part of the professional identity of teachers at all levels, early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary and higher education with implications for both current and future policy changes. Sometimes areas are marginalised, ignored or simply forgotten, this talk foregrounds those areas bringing them back in alongside or parallel with the mainstream areas are also developments in worker education, union education and activism in communities – which are highlighted in this Herbison address.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Dr Joce Jesson is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Critical Studies, University of Auckland, and the School of Education at AUT University. She grew up in Rotorua and Tokoroa, and taught in a range of schools both urban and rural areas. Her first university qualification was a Diploma in Home Science. This was followed by simultaneous teaching and study tin areas such as a Diploma of Guidance, a Master’s degree considering bi-cultural curriculum development in Science Education. Her Ph.D. considered the changing relationship of PPTA with the state. At Auckland College of Education she became Director of Research Development, and became recognised for her research on the political economy of educators. She uses teachers' experience to consider the changing policy matters of curriculum, the teaching process, and teachers' work. She has been an editor, and reviewer for NZJES, as well as NZJTW. As an unionist she held office in PPTA, ASTE, (now TEU) and is a Fellow of the NZEI. She has been a Director of AkoAotearoa and Mangere Mountain Education Centre, as well as Auckland Regional Holdings prior to establishment of Auckland Council. Since her retirement, she has continued mentoring colleagues through qualifications and the establishment of their own academic careers.