Bridging Research and Teaching
Bridging Research and Teaching
February 18, 2025
Victoria Macann is a dedicated and accomplished member of The Teachers’ Institute, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as a Teaching Fellow. As a NZ-registered secondary school science and biology teacher, Victoria also conducted professional development for teachers as a New Zealand Ministry of Education accredited facilitator. Following this, Victoria was a Fulbright graduate award recipient, where she demonstrated her dedication for bridging the gap between research and educational practices. With a PhD submission in Education under her belt, Victoria is passionate about making learning more meaningful, relevant, and effective.
Victoria’s transition to The Teachers’ Institute (TTI) was driven by her desire to train pre-service teachers and was motivated by the unique approach of the programme. “I believe school-based education is extremely valuable.” At TTI, Victoria is a part of the teaching team, and also the point of contact for the trainees if they have questions or need additional support for their coursework. Behind the scenes, Victoria is also involved in research to understand and measure the changes trainees experience during the programme and in their early careers as teachers. “Working with the trainees and teaching them, as well as sharing experiences about being a teacher keeps me motivated,” she explains.
Victoria believes that the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary, School-based) programme offers significant benefits to trainees and the broader secondary education sector. “Trainees will understand the nuances of being a teacher throughout the year because they will be in their schools. This programme prepares trainees to hit the ground running as they enter the profession, providing them with the practical skills and knowledge that are typically gained only once they’re on the job,” she says.
Victoria also sees TTI as an important part of addressing the teacher supply issues in New Zealand. “High-quality teacher training, encouraging and supporting a diverse range of people into teaching, and training people in subject areas under pressure in NZ are so vital now.”
Looking ahead, Victoria hopes that TTI will continue to offer high-quality programmes and provide ongoing support for educators. “I hope the trainees feel well prepared for their careers and stay in teaching,” she adds.
For those considering a career in teaching, Victoria advises: “It’s a busy career. Days are never boring, and it is extremely rewarding. You need to enjoy working with young people and support them both academically and pastorally. When you help your students do well, you get a real sense of pride in their success.”
