Poppa Jim Comes to Kindergarten: Kindness in a Relational Learning Community
Presented by: Karen Ramsey
AM Workshop: 10:30–11:45 AM PT
This workshop shares the unfolding story of an intergenerational friendship between Poppa Jim and our kindergarten community, where every day acts of kindness grew, were noticed, and shared across our learning environment. Poppa Jim’s contribution to our local curriculum strengthened learning outcomes for all, and brings to life the values of kindness, reciprocity, and belonging within our everyday practice.
This work is grounded in our early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, where the principle of Ngā Hononga/Relationships recognises that a sense of belonging is strengthened through responsive, reciprocal relationships with people, places, and things. Through these relationships belonging is nurtured and deepened, anchoring our learning community with the belief that the most important thing in the world is people.
Through Learning Stories and Collaborative Community Stories, Karen will explore how narrative documentation honours the mana (identity, belonging, and wisdom) of children, illuminates their learning dispositions, strengthens their identities as learners, and celebrates their love of learning
Karen Ramsey
Head Teacher at Roskill South Kindergarten
Karen Ramsey is the Head Teacher at Roskill South Kindergarten in Mount Roskill, Auckland, Aotearoa, New Zealand, and has been deeply connected to this learning community since July 1997. In 2000, Karen participated in the Education Leadership Project professional development programme, facilitated by Wendy Lee, an experience that was life-changing and profoundly shaped her teaching journey. Discovering Learning Stories transformed her pedagogical practice, igniting a deep passion for this philosophy and inspiring her to co-construct a rich, responsive local curriculum alongside children, teachers, and families at Roskill South Kindergarten. The Roskill South Kindergarten community has generously shared their stories widely, and Karen’s leadership continues to inspire educators across Aotearoa, New Zealand and beyond.