Q&A with Sarah Taylor: Leading the Primary teacher training programme at TTI

Monday 02 February 2026

Sarah Taylor has been a primary school educator for almost 30 years, with her most recent role as Deputy Principal at Summerland Primary in Henderson. Now she’s applying her decades-long experience to help shape the future of primary education as The Teachers’ Institute’s first Primary Programme Director.

Tell us about the primary programme that has launched this year

This is our first year, and we’ve designed and built our programme from the ground up. The aim is to offer a unique, evidence-based programme for around 50 primary trainees, which blends hands-on experience with a foundation in research.

Trainees will attend workshops and block courses at The Teachers’ Institute, focusing on topics like the science of learning and core areas of literacy and numeracy. They’ll be exposed to the latest teaching strategies, and evidence-based practices like structured literacy and the science of learning. We will also cover what it means to build a supportive learning environment for all students, as well as how to be responsive to the unique needs of the learners in front of us.

The rest of the academic year, they’ll put their learning into practice in the classroom. In this way, the programme is designed to create reflective practitioners. Trainees will continually evaluate their own practice and grow their knowledge of what makes a great teacher.

When do trainees start in their home school?

From the very start of the school year, trainees are in schools. This means they get exposure to real-life classroom settings and can observe how teachers build relationships, establish routines, and manage their class. I think of it as an apprenticeship: they’re not just learning theory but also building their own teaching practice in a supportive environment.

Tell us about the relationships the programme has with partner schools

Our partner schools are a critical part of this programme. We’re not just placing trainees for short-term placements; instead, they’re there for the whole school year. The schools are excited to work with our trainees and develop future teachers and our trainees feel they’re part of the staff, not just visitors.

What is the role of the mentor teacher in partner schools?

Each trainee has a mentor teacher that they’re paired with within their home school for the academic year. Mentor teachers provide guidance, support and constructive feedback, and they model best practices. They’re like an in-school guide and role model for the trainee.

The mentor-trainee dynamic is really important for the success of our programme, so supporting the mentors is key. We’re developing a mentor handbook and running workshops for our mentors throughout the year. Dr Ric Campbell is providing valuable input to help guide this process – he has extensive experience across the world in teacher education, teacher professional development and school leadership.

Why should an aspiring primary teacher choose The Teachers’ Institute?

Our programme puts trainees in the classroom from the outset. This year, 2026, is our first primary intake, but we know from the secondary programme that our model really appeals to trainees who want to be school-based, and also want to learn in person rather than attending online lectures.

Because we’re a school-based programme, we’ve built strong relationships with the profession: mentors, coordinators and partner schools. Many of our secondary trainees have received job offers from their home schools, and we hope to see this in the primary programme too.

This is a brand-new programme. What criteria were factored into its design?

Success for us meant creating a holistic learning experience to equip our trainees with all the tools to become effective teachers. We wanted a curriculum grounded in research and best practices - one that aligns with the priorities of the Ministry of Education and focuses on literacy, numeracy, and effective instruction.

So far, feedback from our school coordinators in the secondary programme has been incredibly positive, with many commenting that our trainees are already performing like second-year beginning teachers.

What will success look like for the programme next year?

Success will look like confident, supported and equipped trainees who go on to thrive in the classroom and make a difference in the lives of their students.

We’ll get feedback from trainees, mentors, and partner schools to ensure that everyone involved in the programme is on the same page. And we hope to build a community of educators who support and inspire each other year after year.

Tell us about the TTI community

The culture we’re aiming for is one where trainees feel like part of a family - they’re not just learning to be teachers, they’re also growing and learning alongside a

community of passionate professionals.

Why is primary teaching a great career?

Teaching primary is an incredibly rewarding career. Children are eager learners and their enthusiasm is infectious. Every day brings something new, whether it’s a breakthrough moment with a student or a new teaching challenge to overcome.

Personally, I love the variety and that, as a teacher, you are always growing your own knowledge and practise. As a primary teacher, you get to teach across all curriculum areas, which keeps things exciting. And there’s something special about working with passionate colleagues, collaborating together, and constantly growing together. The relationships you build with your students and fellow teachers make it an incredibly fulfilling profession.