User:Tkorth

=My Profile=

Who am I?

 * Good question.
 * I'm known as Trisha Korth (ne: Geraets), female, mother, friend, teacher, enviroschool facilitator, a Primary Science Teacher Fellow (during the later half of 2009)... and a lucky Antarctic Adventurer!...
 * And who am I when I take away all these labels?

Teaching/Learning

 * Incredibly fortunate teacher at Warrington School. In the rich, warm, nurturing soil of a progressive, co-learning environment with 5 other staff members throughout the school and 26 children (Year 5-8)in my 2010 class.
 * My teaching philosophy from some 15 years ago still seems uncannily apt:
 * All children should have the opportunity to learn how to learn along with developing awe and wonder, awareness and self motivation in their learning. I value the holistic development of children in which teaching is supportive, directed to their individual needs and interests so they can grow towards their full potentials.  I believe personal boundaries, personal goal setting and reflection are important in this process. Education should be enjoyable, interesting, meaningful and applicable.  My aim is to develop an integrated, open and progressive style of teaching as a facilitator of learning, setting a happy, stimulating and respectful environment.
 * With other shoes (and actually often together with the same shoes on) I work as an EnviroSchools facilitator for 6 schools in the areas of Dunedin. Most of these schools are well established on the 'Education for Sustainability' path, that I feel my role is more often an encourager and supporter of the intrinsic initiatives they are already taking.  Often I feel I learn more from them than they do from me!
 * As a wee interlude to my teaching career I had the privalege of time for half a year in 2009 to learn about Antarctic benthic ecosystems through a Primary Science Teacher Fellowship with the Royal Society of NZ. This involved taking me out of my comfort zones in more ways than one:
 * 1) going on an Antarctic Exploration with a team of marine ecologists from NIWA for a month on the ice!
 * 2) fostering my own learning programme on marine and atmospheric science which involves pushing myself to ask the 'silly' questions, stepping forward to be a part of new experiences, taking initiatives in communications and networking and simply being disciplined enough to not get sidetracked in a day in the office!
 * 3) developing an educational outreach programme involving schools that are keen to be a part of this exciting Antarctic journey.
 * 4) creating a wiki site about Antarctica, that will be useful and motivating for teachers and children, which involves an end to my procrastination in learning computer (and other technological) skills!
 * A growing passion in my teaching/learning path is that of Virtues Education (or Character education). It seems integrally linked with Environmental and Progressive Education where living with integrity is of prime importance.
 * As I progress on this path called life, I begin to realise the importance of being open to learning, courageous enough to accept criticism without having to justify/defend oneself and from this having the guts to springboard into (what seems risky) new experiments and experiences.

Education

 * BSc (Biology)
 * Dip Teaching (Primary)
 * Dip for Graduates (Anthropology)
 * Mother of teenagers (from which I'd say I'm learning the most)

My Interests

 * tramping - in stunningly exhilirating landscapes such as we have in our NZ backcountry.
 * yoga - when I get to go to classes (and always feel so refreshed I wonder why I don't make the effort more often!)
 * dancing - just a new found interest that I'm suprisingly enjoying.
 * zen meditation - that brings a centered quietness I so often need.
 * gardening - ahhh what a good feeling to get dirt under your fingernails and in the cracks of this middle aging skin.
 * eating great food with good friends.

My Projects

 * Currently I am developing a wikieducator site about Antarctica (feel free to visit Antarctica) which will hopefully be not only useful but also inspiring to children and teachers, particularly those classes that are following my journey down to the ice in October and November this year. When I am in Antarctica I hope to add regular entries to this wiki site with photos and (when I get it sussed) small video clips! I will also be connecting with my own and a few other schools by satellite phone whilst out in the field at New Harbour (approx. 80km across the frozen Ross Sea, from Scott Base).

My Sandbox
/My sandbox/

Feedback & Notes from my WikiNeighbours

 * I can only reciprocate Nellie comments, well done. You are on your way to becoming a skilled WikiMaster Warm wishes--Patricia 00:13, 26 August 2009 (UTC)


 * I really like this idea. It could also be a good way to bring my own practice evermore into the realm of engagement - in every day life. I'm not sure just how much time or knowledge etc I have to bring to it but I am willing to give it a go and would love to be a part of it. Thanks for asking Nellie. --Trisha Korth 02:12, 1 September 2009 (UTC)