Deana Wilson
Account Manager, Ministry of Education
Biography
Deana Wilson, of Ngāti Rangi, Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Apa, sees her new position as inkeeping with the vision of one of her tribal leaders, Dr Whakaari Rangitākūkū.
Ko te pae tāwhiti whaia kia tata
Te pae tata whakamaua kia tina.
“He told us we must seek out distant horizons but also cherish those we attain in the short and medium term. In essence I see the bringing together of Learning Media and the Ministry of Education as being part of this quest to ensure all parties are focused on the pursuit of one goal – the advancement of educational opportunities for all students” said Deana.
Deana’s role is to support Learning Media’s relationship with the Ministry of Education and identify new opportunities. She is the initial contact person for all Ministry enquiries.
Deana returned to Learning Media in January 2009, following a stint from teaching to return home in Ohakune to manage her own business. Before that, Deana had been working in the Māori medium Publishing Team.
Deana has 16 years experience as a primary teacher, holding positions of responsibility as a Resource Teacher of Māori, an important role in helping to facilitate the implementation of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.. She has worked at various English medium and Māori medium kura and has continued her learning through post-graduate study at Massey University and Te Wānanga o Raukawa.
Education has always been pivotal to Deana and continuing to have an influence in Māori medium education, particularly literacy has always been at the forefront of what drives her.
“I want to see all our students participating in learning and enjoying new ideas while sharing their own knowledge with others.
I believe it is vital that we help teachers ensure that what they are doing in the classroom is both meaningful and relevant to their students. The resources that we produce between our two agencies, are a crucial part of this approach. I am committed to doing what I can to create the expectation that what we do speaks to our students of today, in a way which will foster an ongoing love of learning.