Theme 1 Agency and Equity

Overview

Leading for equity and agency is crucial in transforming education systems to create more student-centred, equitable learning environments. This approach focuses on empowering individuals to take greater ownership of their learning, and fostering collective efficacy to achieve learning goals. These are essential for driving meaningful change. Equity and agency operate in a powerful symbiotic relationship: equitable systems deliberately create conditions where all individuals can develop and meaningfully exercise their agency, while strengthened agency empowers diverse voices to advocate for and create more equitable practices. This mutual reinforcement creates a virtuous cycle that drives deeper systemic transformation.

Providing opportunities for students to engage with real-world and authentic learning experiences is an important part of this work. Collective efficacy, the shared belief in a group’s ability to make a difference, amplifies this transformational potential. Embracing cultural values, especially Te Ao Māori, is key to quality teaching and learning for Māori students and supports them to experience success as Māori. This cultural recognition enhances the overall learning experience for all students, fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging while creating the conditions for transformative change that benefits both individuals and communities.

Presenters in more detail

Rhonda Broussard	Rhonda founded Beloved Community to create sustainable paths to regional racial and economic equity. Beloved Community works at the nexus of Equity in Schools Rhonda has been a change-agent in diversity, equity, inclusion and international education throughout her career.
Carlos Moreno	Carlos has been a teacher, a principal, a director, and now a Chief Executive Officer. But through it all he has been and continues to be an observer and a learner. A proud native New Yorker, Carlos is a passionate educational trailblazer committed to supporting school and district leaders to create high-quality, non-traditional schools designed to tackle systemic issues related to equity in education. He also co-founded and leads the Deeper Learning Equity Fellowship in partnership with the Internationals Network for Public Schools.
Hana O’Regan	Dr Hana O’Regan has worked in the areas of language revitalisation, identity and cultural development, te reo Māori, and education for over 25 years. She is a published author and composer and is recognised internationally for her work in indigenous language acquisition and revitalisation. Hana’s passion for education, community, history, and equity has resulted in a career committed to working with organisations, businesses, and individuals to support and enhance positive outcomes for learners and whānau.
Maxine Graham	A passionate advocate for the future of Aotearoa, Maxine has extensive experience in the national and local government, iwi, tertiary education and community-focused organisations. She has governance experience and is currently a member of Te Arataura, the Executive Committee of Te Whakakitenga responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of Waikato Tainui. Maxine currently holds other governance roles on Maaori wellbeing organisations in the Waikato, Tamaaki Makaurau and local education.

Provocations:

• “How might we redesign our educational structures to simultaneously value diversity, promote equity, and encourage both individual and collective agency? What leadership approaches make this possible?”
• “In what ways can cultural values and perspectives (particularly Te Ao Māori) transform our understanding of equity and agency in education, and what implications does this have for leadership practice?”