Mana Potential

On Friday 7 Feb. I was invited to attend some professional development that the Te Hiku Kahui Ako has decided to implement across the cluster. As the school I normally work on that day was there I attended the day.

Mana Potential- 

Mana potential is a strengths-based tool for behavior change.

It’s about mana (pride, strength, self-respect, empowering, identity, presence, confidence, self-worth). Brilliant actions and exceptional talent will be noticed and will enhance one’s mana; whereas actions that cause harm, will also be noticed and will have a negative effect on mana –  it will diminish.

We unpacked the word Mana and our understanding and many different definitions of it. Also putting it into children speak.

It is based around unpacking your and students' sources of strength, what keeps us well and strong in the world represented by Papatuanuku-Earth Mother-Nurturer, sustainer and life-giver.
They unpack and really get to know their students through requesting important information about the student's personal attributes, beliefs, places, and spaces important to them, important people, inspirational and go to people, interests hobbies, Aroha-things people do for you, actions you do for others and yourself. Treasures you hold dear to you, they can be people or things or places.
This really gives you a clear picture of the student and helps to make connections and build relationships.

Then they use Ranginui-sky father devoted partner, protector, and provider. This represents the various emotions and actions of people.
They use colors and the children of Ranginui and Papatuanuku to represents the feelings we go through.
Yellow-Rongomatane-Best day, optimum learning zone, engaged and challenged in your learning.
Orange-Maui -Doing well in some areas but not others, not quite sure how to complete a task, getting hoha.
Mauve Ruaumoko-On the edge, about to blow, struggling to keep up, confused, falling behind
Red Tu Matauenga- crises point, failing, not engaged, warfare, Explosive
Purple-Tawhirimatea- after crises, seeking help,
Blue-Tangaroa- repair, calmed down, restoration, new plan, Everyone safe.

Some of the warm-ups she used: everyone in a circle and she asked the questions and you moved seats if the answer was yes. A none threatening way to assess. Did you have breakfast this morning? Did you have a good sleep last night? A great way to assess anything by just changing the questions.

She also had A4 sheets of paper laminated with the colors and lined them up on the floor and gave them an example and asked us to line up behind the color that resonated with you. Suggesting to take photos and put them on the wall. Example 

Yellow-Felling great could carry on for another 2 hours.
Orange-Felling good and positive
Mauve- had enough ready to go home.
Red- Over it, got a headache, can't listen to another thing.
Purple- Need a break
Blue- was confused but starting to get it.

A great activity that can be used to assess anything a specific curriculum gaol, a lesson, students' feelings. Very none threatening.

One of her sayings I really resonated with:

"Don't fill my nothing with your something"

It was a great day and I really enjoyed the program and ideas. I can see how I can introduce it to my Manaiakalani work. It also empowers students to self regulate, engages and communicate their needs. They get to identify their strengths, emotions and allows them, their peers, Whanau, and teachers to support them to plan ways to best stay positive. This allows them to enhance their Mana not diminish it.