Karlene Teao
Mangere,Auckland
Summary
I am a proud Maori and Cook Island woman from Aotearoa (New Zealand), deeply connected to both my heritages. I offer over 14 years of consistent achievement in all types of roles across the public and private sectors in New Zealand and Cook Islands. I specialize in connecting Taiao (nature) and specifically the Science medium to the wider community. This has been carried out throughout my career which has encompassed a diverse range of roles from collaborating with government councils, surveying and collating data from marine reserves, to managerial positions in our lower decile Secondary Schools.
I am a very enthusiastic results-driven professional, with exceptional adaptability skills, successful administrative procedures, and great organization and time management mastery. Very experienced in building positive relationships with students, teachers and the wider community. Finally, a natural leader and analytical problem-solver with a relatable communication style. These skills and personality traits have been fine tuned through my various under graduate and post graduate degrees. However, I am equipped with invaluable skills that go beyond my tertiary career thus far.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of Science Department
Southern Cross Campus
Mangere, Auckland
01.2020 - 05.2023
- Created an encouraging environment that fostered a family-like collaboration among teachers and support staff within the Science Department.
- Encouraged the cross-curricular collaboration of departments towards local curriculum, inquiry-style projects.
- Evaluated teacher effectiveness through classroom observations, consistent feedback and feed forward, as well as regular student feedback.
- Developed annual budget for Science department encompassing laboratory management, safety protocols, and legal considerations.
- Established partnerships with local universities and local health organizations to provide resources, such as guest speakers or special projects. This included being successfully included in the Health Science Academies.
- Provided guidance and support for teachers in developing lesson plans, instructional strategies, and assessment tools.
- Conducted regular meetings with faculty members to discuss student progress, instruction methods, and curricular initiatives.
- Included in the formal process of hiring new Science Department staff.
- Monitored student performance in science classes and identified areas of improvement or needed interventions. This included regular attendance awareness.
- Directed, coordinated, and evaluated activities of support staff within academic institutions, departments, and alumni organizations.
- Delivered year 9 and 10 junior science curriculum that covered different topics from Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
- Delivered Level 2 and 3 Senior Biology curriculum. This included creating resources, laboratory practicals, and unit plans to a number of Achievement Standards.
Head of Science Department
Araura College
Aitutaki, Cook Islands
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Coordinated after-school programs focused on STEM-related topics such as robotics or coding.
- Introduced internal and external standards with robust resources, unit and lesson plans, and support for the students.
- Conducted regular faculty meetings and teacher observations and evaluations.
- Adapted and utilized local curriculum to create unit and lesson plans.
- Evaluated teacher effectiveness through classroom observations, feedback from peers, parents, and students.
- Facilitated communication between stakeholders, including parents, teachers, administrators, and community organizations.
- Maintained records of student achievement data related to state assessments.
- Created an environment that encourages collaboration among teachers, staff, parents, and students regarding matters related to science education.
- Delivered year 9 and 10 junior science curriculum that covered different topics from Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
- Delivered Level 1 NCEA general science curriculum. This included creating resources, unit plans, practical laboratories, as well as assessments.
Tour Manager
New Zealand Educational Tours
South Island
04.2015 - 12.2018
- Managed youth coach tours of the South Island of New Zealand, consisting of 40+ students aged 13-18 years old.
- Managed the safety, well-being, and daily tasks for two tour assistants while on tour.
- Implemented and enforced safety protocols consistently on all tours. Including students and staff arriving and departing flights from destinations.
- Encouraged an environment of positivity, enthusiastic excitement, and appreciation for the locale of the South Island throughout the entirety of the tour.
- Developed and maintained a tour budget to ensure cost-effectiveness. This included food and meals, and certain entertainment stops along the way.
- Inspected accommodations before client check-in and check-out to guarantee quality standards were met.
- Managed tour itineraries to ensure timely arrival at each destination.
- Maintained contact with vendors regarding payment schedules and services rendered.
- Assisted with booking entertainment venues, meals, and sightseeing activities.
- Tracked financial data regarding income generated from individual tours or trips.
Teacher of Science
Gisborne Girls High School
Gisborne
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Created a safe classroom environment that encourages curiosity and critical thinking.
- Established excellent rapport with all students, science department staff, and the wider school staff.
- Participated in professional development workshops relevant to teaching science, te ao Māori, and general classroom pedagogy.
- Often conducted and instructed students on the use of scientific equipment and techniques.
- Created unit and lesson plans relevant to the New Zealand curriculum, as well as including local stories and resources.
- Utilised different digital and classroom mediums in the class. Encouraged and focused on a variety of ways to deliver the curriculum, including field trips.
- Delivered year 9 and 10 junior science curriculum that covered different topics from Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
- Delivered Level 1 NCEA general science, including creating unit plans and resources for a variety of Achievement Standards.
Maori Policy Team Assisstant
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Mt Maunganui, Tauranga
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Assisted with the creation of the Coastal Management Plan for the Regional Council.
- Coordinated communication between the Council and different iwi and haapu throughout the Bay of Plenty.
- Held and attended hui with different Iwi and Haapu regarding the coastal management and environmental management plans for them.
- Organised many different files and documents pertaining to different Iwi management plans.
- Ensured that Iwi management plans consisted of correct information pertaining to the Resource Management Act.
- Conducted basic administration tasks including data entry, filing, attending department and Council meetings, booking and driving Council pool cars, creating reports, and excellent use of Microsoft office.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching - Education
University of Waikato
Tauranga12-2016
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
University of Waikato
Tauranga12-2012
Diploma in Marine Studies - Marine Biology
University of Waikato
Tauranga12-2011
Skills
- Relationship Building
- Research management
- Laboratory Management
- Innovation management
- Team Mentoring
- Database Administration
- Extremely adaptable
Certification
- Open Water Scuba Dive Instructor
- Current First Aid
Affiliations
- Grade 7 classical pianist
- Proficient guitarist, drummer and flute player
- Excellent netball player
- Semi-retired basketball and volleyball player
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Science Department
Southern Cross Campus
01.2020 - 05.2023
Head of Science Department
Araura College
01.2018 - 01.2019
Teacher of Science
Gisborne Girls High School
01.2017 - 01.2018
Tour Manager
New Zealand Educational Tours
04.2015 - 12.2018
Maori Policy Team Assisstant
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
01.2011 - 01.2013
Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching - Education
University of Waikato
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
University of Waikato
Diploma in Marine Studies - Marine Biology
University of Waikato
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