Phyllis Callaghan
Gisborne,New Zealand
Summary
An old girl of Wairoa College and former head girl, I am committed to seeing our young people thrive and succeed. With 20 years' experience of teaching at the chalk face and 10 years of managing two successful companies, I am eager to share my knowledge and pass on my skills to the next generation. Creating successful Māori education models has been a large part of both my academic studies and teaching career. As a panel member of the Ministry's education RAPLD process, it afforded me the opportunity to work with over 15 schools to turn around unmotivated Māori school populations to create successful hybrids of excellence. I am committed to working with schools to create 'education success' where every student feels valued and teachers are given the tools to help create both cultural and academic excellence. I have much to offer the college of Wairoa and am excited about the prospect of giving back to a school community that invested in my own journey of education and made me the culturally responsive educator I am today. I have many skills and knowledge to bring to the table, I actively work with iwi and community groups that advance the cause of Indigenous models of excellence and I look forward to working with you should I be successful in my application.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CEO
Murray Sam Holdings LTD
01.2018 - Current
- Developed and executed a comprehensive company strategy.
- Led strategic planning to achieve annual revenue growth.
- Established partnerships with community groups, hapū and iwi.
Contractor of Educational Services
Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa
, New Zealand
02.2024 - 12.2025
- Conducted workshops for teachers, enhancing teaching and learning pedagogy across various schools in Aotearoa.
- Facilitated professional development sessions for educators, impacting teaching and learning methodologies.
- Designed comprehensive educational content for diverse learning needs, improving student engagement.
- Created instructional materials that accommodate various learning styles, focused on increasing Maori retention rates.
- Analyzed educational data to identify trends and inform strategic planning processes catered to Maori students.
- Conducted needs assessments to tailor educational programs to community requirements.
- Liaised with parents and community members to foster a collaborative learning environment.
RAPLD Panel Member
Ministry of Education
, New Zealand
02.2020 - 12.2025
- Collaborated with over fifteen schools and kura to enhance achievement for Maori students across all subjects.
- Led strategic planning and execution to drive departmental growth and improvement within the school sector.
- Partnered with schools to strengthen outcomes for Maori education, focusing on targeted support and improvement strategies.
- Facilitated workshops and seminars that promoted collaboration and sharing of best practices among educators.
- Monitored and evaluated Maori education system performance against national benchmarks, ensuring high standards of learning.
Professional Learning Development Facilitator
Kaha Education
Christchurch
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Collaborated with subject matter experts to design curricula, resulting in an increase in teacher student engagement.
- Conducted needs assessments to define training objectives, aligning courses with organizational goals.
- Facilitated annual workshops, enhancing teachers' skills and knowledge transfer.
- Customized training modules for Maori learners, boosting participant confidence.
English teacher
Gisborne Boys' High School
Gisborne
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans that increased student engagement.
- Fostered positive learning environment through diverse teaching strategies, resulting in increased student participation.
- Assessed and monitored student progress through regular quizzes and assessments, identifying areas for improvement and providing targeted feedback.
- Collaborated with fellow educators to design an interdisciplinary curriculum that met 100% of educational standards.
- Improved Maori literacy achievement from year nine to year thirteen through targeted instructional methods.
- Organized community and whanau engagement evenings to boost parental involvement in student learning and success.
Head Of English Department
Waikohu College
Te Karaka
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Overseeing day to day management of all teaching and learning requirements for years seven to thirteen.
- Led a team of three English teachers to improve curriculum quality, resulting in a increase of student engagement and achievement.
- Planned weekly, monthly, and yearly schedules for all course levels.
- Reviewed all moderation material to align with national standards.
- Setting up all asttle testing and reporting for all junior levels.
- Regular reporting to school board, whanau and community.
Head of Department Performing arts and Media studies
Gisborne Boys' High School
Gisborne
01.2004 - 12.2008
- Managed two departments, overseeing weekly, monthly, and yearly planning to ensure alignment with educational goals.
- Coordinated planning, management, and delivery of stage challenge and super eight competitions, leading to top honors in two national film competitions.
- Oversaw yearly department budget, optimizing allocation for travel, resources, set creation, and technology.
- Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives, raising awareness and promoting cultural competence.
- Organized guest lectures and workshops featuring industry experts, enhancing learning experiences.
- Collaborated with community groups to enhance support for shared initiatives.
Literacy Contractor
Turanga Ararau
Gisborne
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Developed tailored literacy programs that improved student progress in six months.
- Designed interactive English materials through a Māori lens that increased student success and confidence.
- Embraced local storytelling to engage adult learners with relevant life experiences.
- Conducted literacy assessments to gauge student reading levels and needs.
Long Term Relieving
Rotorua Boys' High School
Rotorua
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Facilitated classroom instruction across grade levels, enhancing curriculum continuity.
- Adapted lesson plans to address diverse student needs, fostering inclusive learning environment.
- Collaborated with teachers to align objectives, strengthening classroom consistency.
- Monitored student progress and provided constructive feedback, improving academic performance.
Education
PHD - Education
Te Whare wānanga ō Te Awanuiarangi
Whakatane01-2017
Masters - Indigenous Education
Te Whare wānanga ō Te Awanuiarangi
Whakatane12-2015
Skills
- Organizational leadership
- Strategic partnerships
- Digital transformation
- Curriculum Design
- E-Learning course design
- Pedagogical strategies
- Content knowledge
- Performance Assessment
- Team leadership
- Team collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Critical thinking abilities
- Critical thinking development
- Creativity
- Cultural competence
- Diversity initiatives
Certification
- 2017, Top Thesis, Valedictorian Award for PHD studies in indigenous education (Te Whare wānanga ō Te Awanuiarangi).
- 2021, Winner of APEC Award for best business, indigenous community support.
- 2023-2024, Te Taniwha Ropu Whakairo: Chair of the Ministry of Education review panel for Whakairo.
- 2019-2020, Member of Te Wānanga Awanuiarangi Academic Board.
- 2021-2026, Co-Chair of the International Game Developers Association.
- 2018-2026, CEO of Murray Sam Holdings Limited (Media and Education).
Referees
Full Name: Michael Green
Contact number: 0210685063
Position: Assessment and Moderation Facilitator at NZQA
Full Name: Rosland Jackson
Contact number: 021371003
Position: Former Deputy Principal at Hagley Community College
Full Name: Moana Rongo Cooper
Contact number: 0274799765
Full Name: Ken Ross ( Mahia Kaumatua )
Contact number: 0279626014
Timeline
Contractor of Educational Services
Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa
02.2024 - 12.2025
RAPLD Panel Member
Ministry of Education
02.2020 - 12.2025
CEO
Murray Sam Holdings LTD
01.2018 - Current
Professional Learning Development Facilitator
Kaha Education
01.2016 - 01.2018
English teacher
Gisborne Boys' High School
01.2012 - 01.2016
Head Of English Department
Waikohu College
01.2009 - 01.2012
Head of Department Performing arts and Media studies
Gisborne Boys' High School
01.2004 - 12.2008
Literacy Contractor
Turanga Ararau
01.2003 - 01.2004
Long Term Relieving
Rotorua Boys' High School
01.2000 - 01.2003
PHD - Education
Te Whare wānanga ō Te Awanuiarangi
Masters - Indigenous Education
Te Whare wānanga ō Te Awanuiarangi