Madison Grevel | Seelye Kupe Leadership Scholar

Bachelor of Education (Teaching) (Honours) | Early Childhood Education

Having had a child with diverse needs, I became fascinated with understanding how children’s educational experiences can be impacted by their diverse needs. This interest in understanding the early years and the impacts childhood has on children becoming lifelong learners has evolved into a passion for teaching, mainly supporting and empowering children to have equitable access and opportunities within education. 

I see that it is my responsibility as a teacher to build relationships with the children in my care and design the curriculum to build upon students’ strengths whilst supporting them in the areas they need.

In New Zealand, I believe we pride ourselves on being an “open progressive country” that makes the holistic wellbeing of children a priority. However, we cannot honestly say we do this until all children in Aotearoa experience an equitable and inclusive education regardless of culture or diverse needs. I believe that all children have the right to experience an equitable education, empowering and embracing diverse and unique needs. Education should not be staggered, with an ideology that only one.

Sponsor: Ralph and Eve Seelye Trust 

Mentor: Professor Tom Roa, Kaumātua Te Pūnaha Matatini, Associate Professor in the University of Waikato’s Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies