The Teachers' Institute

16/10/2026

✅ “When I was researching where I wanted to study, TTI made the most sense. I figured the best way to learn is by doing something while it's scaffolded and supported, and TTI allows you to practice teaching for the majority of the year.”

✅ "You have a workshop, and then the next day you’re back in class, and you can see what you've been taught and why you've been taught it. That goes into my head a lot quicker than just sitting and listening all day."

✅ "I really enjoy coming to the workshops and meeting with other like-minded trainees and then going back to school and implementing straight away what we’ve learnt. I don't think I would have done it any other way."

There’s a common theme coming through when we talk to our trainees about why they chose The Teachers’ Institute for their teacher training!

Find out more about studying with The Teachers’ Institute at our final webinar for 2026. Link in comments.

13/10/2026

Great to welcome mathematics consultant Dr Jo Knox into The Teachers' Institute today to facilitate a half-day workshop for primary and secondary teachers.

The workshop, 'Rich Tasks, Rich Thinking', looked at how rich tasks can be incorporated into a comprehensive maths programme.

Teachers walked away with practical ideas and tools to elevate their practice and engage learners in the classroom.

In Jo's own words:

"Maths is everywhere - we use it every day in many ways. Maths is a gateway to so many careers, but can also become a barrier for people. It’s so important that we help learners develop confidence and capability and not be scared of it."

Dr Knox will be holding a second mathematics workshop for primary teachers on Tuesday 10 November. Further information and tickets in comments.

07/10/2026

A great turnout for our final Information Session of the year!

A big thank you to current trainees Kate and Ben for sharing their journey into teaching and answering questions from prospective trainees.

With applications for our 2027 intake closing at the end of November, now is the time to take the next step toward your teaching career. If you missed the in-person session, join our final webinar this month and learn more about training with TTI. RSVP today. https://www.teachersinstitute.org.nz/event-details-registration/train-to-teach-2027-webinar

04/10/2026

Our final Information Session for 2026 is taking place this week!
We encourage anyone considering training with us to attend an Information Session to make sure we’re the right fit for you.

It’s an awesome opportunity to see our campus in the beautiful Textile Centre, Parnell, meet our CEO, teaching and admissions teams and hear from current trainees about their experiences. It’s not too late to train to teach in 2027… look forward to seeing you there.

RSVP: https://www.teachersinstitute.org.nz/event-details-registration/information-session-considering-teaching-3

29/09/2026

With Ministry of Education data showing a predicted shortage of more than 500 Secondary teachers in 2027, our CEO Heather McRae’s advice to anyone considering teacher training is simple.

“Don’t hesitate."

Four of the five highest Secondary teacher shortages in the country are in Auckland regions.

Secondary schools need teachers in Science, Technology, Mathematics, English and Te Reo Māori.

“We’re fortunate at TTI in that we work with a network of 70+ outstanding partner schools, who are actively looking to employ qualified teachers, particularly in those high-demand subjects. It’s why we’re appealing to people who can fill those gaps – people who might have been considering teaching, but need a reason to make the change now.”

It's not too late to train to teach in 2027. Check out our website for more details.

NZQA-approved Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary & Secondary), school-based in Auckland.

27/09/2026

AA Directions magazine has profiled two Teachers’ Institute trainees in its ‘Rise to the Challenge’ series, which explores Kiwis who tackle change with positivity, courage and entrepreneurial verve.

The magazine’s Spring 2026 issue profiles secondary trainee Joshua Le Mon who overcame mental health challenges and the passing of his wife to retrain to become a high school teacher at a small, predominantly Pasifika, boys’ school in Auckland, leaving behind a lucrative, but unfulfilling career.

Writer Vanessa Trethewey also spoke to secondary trainee Stephanie Oldham who swapped a global career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry for life in the classroom, opting for more time with her children and family.

The Teachers’ Institute CEO Heather McRae told the magazine:

“Many people with a raft of adventures and experiences behind them turn to teaching because of the intrinsic value it adds to their lives and the students they teach."

“It’s an enriching and fulfilling experience to share knowledge with young people, but there’s an even deeper purpose to teaching. We prepare our young people for life ahead. This includes imparting a sense of belonging, engaging with their cultures and deepening their resilience to change.”

Thank you to the team at AA Directions for spotlighting teaching as a career and celebrating our incredible trainees.

Full story: https://www.aa.co.nz/membership/aa-directions/features/rise-to-the-challenge-teachers/

NZQA-approved Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary & Secondary), school-based in Auckland.

24/09/2026

“I believe that what works well in classrooms also works when training teachers. That means we want teacher education to be interactive and engaging - not just standing at the front of the room, lecture-style delivery with a whiteboard.

Trainees need to feel what it’s like to be learners: to grapple with problems, explore different types of tasks, and collaborate. That hands-on experience helps them translate their learning into their teaching.”

Mathematics education consultant Dr Jo Knox joined us at The Teachers’ Institute this week to work with our Primary teacher trainees.

Dr Knox is one of a number of subject specialists who work with closely with the teaching team at The Teachers’ Institute to ensure our trainee teachers are well prepared for the classroom.

Their targeted, subject specific lessons help our trainees to build curriculum understanding and to unpack the planning and teaching approaches open to them.

📍 Dr Knox on training aspiring Primary teachers to teach maths: https://www.teachersinstitute.org.nz/post/q-a-with-dr-jo-knox-mathematics-education-consultant

📍 Upcoming mathematics professional development for teachers with Dr Knox: https://www.teachersinstitute.org.nz/professional-development-workshop

17/09/2026

Before Katie decided to become a teacher, she had done a little bit of lots of things.

She completed a jewellery degree and a year of a BCom. She worked as a barista and nannied for children.

When she heard about The Teachers' Institute, training to become a Primary teacher in a school-based programme just felt right.

"I'm not someone who can sit at a desk all day. I need to be making stuff, doing activities, that kind of thing. With kids that age you can have a real impact, and there's huge learning every year. You can see from the beginning to the end how much they've learned.”

Read Katie's full profile: https://www.teachersinstitute.org.nz/post/from-jewellery-making-to-primary-teacher

Find out more about teacher training in 2027: https://www.teachersinstitute.org.nz/study

NZQA-approved Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary & Secondary), school-based in Auckland.

07/09/2026

This is what it looks like to train to be a Secondary School teacher with The Teachers’ Institute.

This week, trainees are in for a block course at our campus in Parnell, building their academic knowledge with our dedicated team of Teaching Fellows and experienced Subject Leads.

Throughout the year, block courses and workshops held at The Teachers’ Institute campus are interspersed with school-based training, in the classroom.

It’s a model that allows our trainees to test and apply the theory as they learn it, and to refine their practice in the classroom as their academic knowledge grows.

As our trainee Siobhan put it:

"I really enjoy coming to the workshops and meeting with other like-minded trainees, learning from them and sharing stories, and then going back to school and implementing straight away what we’ve learnt. I don't think I would have done it any other way."

Apply now for 2027: https://www.teachersinstitute.org.nz/study

04/09/2026

Our growing professional development offering aims to help schools elevate their teaching and leadership.

We partner with experts from New Zealand and beyond to offer seminars and workshops that provide fresh insights and practical strategies to strengthen classroom practice.

With that in mind, we're delighted to share that Dr Jo Knox is facilitating two upcoming workshops at The Teachers' Institute.

Jo is a highly experienced mathematics education consultant and a previous winner of the Margaret Morton Memorial prize recognising the woman with the most potential to succeed in mathematics education.

Further information and tickets: https://www.teachersinstitute.org.nz/professional-development-workshop

NZQA-approved Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary & Secondary), school-based in Auckland.