Impact of Learning
Specialist Resource Teachers play a vital role in supporting tamariki, whānau, kaiako and systems across Aotearoa New Zealand. The Specialist Teaching Programme strengthens this impact by deepening the knowledge, confidence, and ability of Specialist Resource Teachers to create meaningful change within their education settings and communities. This page showcases how the 2025 Programme enhances specialist practice. It highlights both the breadth of learning and the magnitude of professional growth reported by Specialist Resource Teachers.
Impact is measured in multiple ways throughout the Programme. At key points across their study, Specialist Resource Teachers reflect on how each course has influenced their practice, including changes in knowledge, confidence, ethical understanding, interprofessional collaboration, and other factors linked to effective practice. These insights demonstrate how the Programme supports Specialist Resource Teachers to become more skilled, reflective, and impactful practitioners.
Programme Impact ~ Year 1
Specialist Resource Teachers rated the 2025 Year 1 Programme as having a positive impact on their:
Knowledge and skills
Evidence-based practice
Interprofessional skills
Lifelong learning
Reflections on Year 1 Learning ~ Click to watch videos below
Isaac Taylor
Learning & Behaviour
Karley Wilks-Forde
Learning & Behaviour
Sam Wakefield
Blind & Low Vision
Ann-Marie Arello
Early Intervention
Riwia Fox
Deaf Education
Wendy Tuck
Gifted Education
"Looking back, my practice has shifted in three big ways: I have a stronger evidence base, a deeper understanding of inclusive practice, and the ability to turn theory into strategies that make a real difference for both learners and teachers. This growth has strengthened my confidence, sharpened my leadership skills, and reinforced my belief that advocacy, when done with empathy and collaboration, can create lasting change."
Louisa Denton (Learning & Behaviour, Year 1)
Immediate Impact
~ Year 1
The data above show that the 2025 Programme has an immediate and profound effect on Specialist Resource Teachers’ practice, with the majority reporting a moderately high to very high impact after just two semesters of study.
Continued Growth
~ Year 2
The data below show that Specialist Resource Teachers' knowledge, confidence, and skills continue to develop in Year 2. Ratings of high or very high impact of learning on their practice more than doubles from Year 1 to Year 2.
Through study, I have worked with classmates to broaden my understanding of inclusive practice. I developed confidence in aligning goals with the needs of tamariki and whānau, using evidence from practice, literature, and policy to guide decisions. Setting collaborative goals has supported me to develop more meaningful partnerships and to measure our impact.
Zujun Yin (Early Intervention ~ Year 2)
Programme Impact ~ Year 2
Specialist Resource Teachers rated the Year 2 Programme as improving their skills to:
Enhance ākonga achievement and progress
Increase ākonga engagement and participation
Support ākonga inclusion and belonging
Build knowledge and skills of adults
Design for ākonga at a systems level
Year 2 Reflections on Learning
In the videos below, Year 2 students reflect on what they learnt from their community-based research into effective learning support and the actions they took in response to their research findings.
Click to watch the videos below.
~ Auckland South ~
~ Canterbury ~
~ Waikato ~
"Through the opportunity to sit alongside other studiers, I was able to thoughtfully map out my journey. Each kōrero offered pivotal insights that now shape how I’ll continue forward—with greater clarity, purpose, and connection.”
Pirihia Floyd (Korowai Mokopuna, Year 2)
