Listening to Lead – A Reflection on Change, Challenge, and Supporting our Kaiako
- Corrinne Devitt
- May 10
- 4 min read
At the heart of RTLB Aotearoa is a clear mission: to connect, inspire, and uplift one another. This mission is more than just an aspiration—it’s something we strive to make practical, visible, and necessary every day. It guides how we collaborate with colleagues, engage with schools, and most importantly, how we walk alongside kaiako through times of challenge and change.
As I sit here in the airport lounge, reflecting on the incredible knowledge, dedication, and let’s be honest, a fair bit of fun we squeezed into our RTLB Aotearoa hui, I can’t help but also acknowledge the challenges we’re facing. The educational landscape is shifting rapidly. Articles and conversations increasingly highlight the pressures placed on educators: rising expectations, kaiako burnout, and the growing complexity of meeting diverse needs. It feels like we’re at a turning point. While much is being asked of educators, there is also an opportunity—and a responsibility—to listen more deeply, lead with compassion, and stand in true partnership with our kaiako.
Understanding the Needs of Kaiako
In the midst of reform and shifting expectations, it’s crucial to remember: kaiako care—deeply. Every day, they bring energy, expertise, and heart to their classrooms. Teaching is really meaningful, but man, it’s tough!
Cognitive Load Theory reminds us that when individuals are overwhelmed, learning and adaptation become much harder. To sustain the energy and curiosity of our kaiako, we must be mindful of the emotional and cognitive demands placed on them. Supporting kaiako is not simply about offering new strategies—it’s about creating conditions that make change possible.
We also know, through andragogical principles—the science of adult learning—that adults learn best when certain conditions are met (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2005):
Prior experiences are acknowledged and respected.
Learning is relevant to their real-world contexts.
They are treated as partners, with autonomy and choice.
They understand the purpose behind change and innovation.
How RTLB Can Support Kaiako
As RTLB, we have the amazing opportunity to offer support that is real, purposeful, and respectful—support that honours what we know about how adults learn. We can:
Listen Deeply: Often in workshops, staff meetings, and professional learning groups, I’ve been struck by how rarely kaiako are asked the simple but powerful question: “What’s this been like for you?” True listening means tuning into what is said—and what isn’t. It means recognising the invisible cognitive and emotional load our kaiako carry every day.
Honour Autonomy: Kaiako need the ability to make choices and have ownership over their professional learning. Change is more sustainable when they have space to engage meaningfully with new practices—time to learn, reflect, plan, and adapt approaches that fit their unique contexts.
Ensure Relevance: New initiatives must connect clearly to kaiako’s values, their ākonga, and the realities they face daily. Learning that feels disconnected or imposed is quickly resisted; learning that resonates with their core purpose is embraced.
Build Trust: Kaiako need safe spaces where they can trial unfamiliar approaches without fear of judgment. Professional learning should be framed as a journey, not a test. When trust is present, risk-taking and innovation flourish.
Clarify Purpose: Clear communication about why change is happening—and how it improves outcomes for ākonga—deepens motivation and strengthens resilience. Purpose fuels commitment.
Provide Thoughtful Leadership: Kaiako need leaders who are consistent, transparent, and responsive. They need colleagues who listen as much as they speak, and professional learning that is practical, responsive, and respectful of the demands kaiako face.
Most of all, kaiako need to be recognised—not just for their resilience, but for the skill, professionalism, and deep care they bring every day.
Walking the Journey Together
As RTLB we have the privilege of walking alongside our kaiako. We bring expertise in inclusive education, learning support, and behaviour, but most importantly, we bring an approach grounded in partnership. We don’t arrive with fixed answers. We listen, we collaborate, and we offer guidance that is context-responsive and underpinned by the sciences of learning.
The science of learning shows that adults thrive when they feel competent, autonomous, and connected, and these factors are essential for sustainable change. While we can’t do it all, as RTLB we can play a key role in fostering these conditions.
In closing, I’m reminded of the beautiful whakataukī:
"Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu"
"With feathers, a bird can fly."
Just like a bird needs its feathers to soar, our kaiako thrive when we come together to offer the support, care, and partnership they need to face the challenges ahead. By truly listening, sharing knowledge, and working alongside them, we help create the conditions where kaiako can grow, lead, and help their ākonga soar too.
For me, this is how we live our RTLB Aotearoa mission—to connect, inspire, and uplift one another. And when we do this well, everyone—kaiako and ākonga alike—can thrive and achieve even more.
Now that sounds good.
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References
Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., III, & Swanson, R. A. (2005). The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development (6th ed.). Elsevier.
Image retrieved from https://pixabay.com/illustrations/compassion-listening-witnessing-857709/
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