On 10 September, The Evil Genius in Ōtautahi Christchurch was the place to be, as the ACE sector came together to mark Adult Learners’ Week He Tangata Mātauranga Festival in a fresh new way.
In past years, the Ōtautahi event has focused on celebrating learners and their achievements. This year, however, the spotlight shifted to the tutors – the dedicated and passionate educators who give so much of their time, energy, and knowledge to help others learn, grow, and succeed. The aptly named event, “Nourish and Flourish,” was designed to honour the remarkable contribution tutors make to the sector.
Despite torrential rain and wind there was a great turn out as people came together to share kai and hear from special guest speaker Marina Taylor, founder of Amplifyou and a highly regarded leadership coach. Marina describes herself as a Soul Advisor, Truth Teller, World-Class Hugger, Devourer of Books, and Empowered Life and Leadership Coach. A lifelong student of personal development and human potential, Marina, a Certified Professional and Clifton Strengths Coach, has spent years learning from people from all walks of life – collecting stories, gathering wisdom, and applying those insights in both her personal and professional journey.
Her passion for helping others discover their truth and calling was sparked during an executive coaching programme with one of New Zealand’s leading coaches. That experience led her to establish Amplifyou Ltd over 19 years ago, through which she continues to coach, inspire, amplify and empower individuals and teams to lead their best life.
On the night, Marina shared her gift for storytelling and her insights into leadership and personal growth through a series of interactive exercises that were designed to draw the group together in celebration of their skills and ended her nourishing talanoa by generously donating an Amplifyou Strengths Discovery Coaching Package to the lucky winner Jo Day from Hagley College.
Marina left the group with three key take home tips.
Tip#1: Stocktake regularly to Flourish
Do a daily or weekly stocktake to help us maintain our mental and emotional, social, physical and spiritual wellbeing. We need to flourish from the inside out and a stocktake helps to identify the things in life that deplete us and the things that bring joy. Use these insights to shape our lives.
Tip#2: Flourish with your Strengths
Identify and keep a visible reminder of your strengths using a post it note, journal or note on your phone. Stand strong with them and apply them with intention daily to grow and develop.
Tip#3: Fill your cup and Flourish from the overflow
Commit to at least one regular cup filling ritual each week. If we don’t fill our own cup, it is impossible to share the contents with those around us.
Guests left the event not just inspired but energised. Each tutor received a small gift as a memento, recognising their valued contribution to the ACE sector throughout the year.
Jennifer Leahy, Sector Services Manager for Ako Aotearoa’s Southern Hub, summed up the spirit of the event:
“It was a fantastic night to celebrate our unsung heroes, who give their time at all hours of the day and night to help others grow and develop. Our community is richer because of their commitment and their desire to share skills and knowledge. When educators thrive so do our learners hence the title – nourish to flourish.”
This year’s collaborative event was organised by a small planning committee of Lottie Vinson (CWEA), Robyn Peterson (Hagley Learning), Bojana Rimbovska (Risingholme) and Jennifer Leahy (Ako Aotearoa) and emceed by Tai Samaeli.