Mike Waller, high school teacher and rugby coach at Westland High School, has worked with colleagues across Aotearoa New Zealand to improve environmental education best practice throughout the country, thanks to a grant from HealthCarePlus.
It’s clear that Mike’s passion for education extends beyond the classroom. He is all about creating impactful learning experiences that resonate far beyond his community.
In 2023, Westland High School received a grant from HealthCare Plus to focus on attendance initiatives. The results were remarkable. Fired with enthusiasm, Mike reached out again this year to apply for more funding. This time, with a different cause in mind.
“My journey into environmental education was sparked during an international conference I attended in Fiji in April 2023,” explains Mike. “There, I observed how the Pacific nations approached teaching environmental issues."
Inspired by the urgency of global environmental challenges, particularly the threat of rising sea levels to island nations, Mike resolved to enhance educational practices in New Zealand.
“With the help of this latest 2024 grant from HealthCarePlus, we organised TEACH, a conference aimed at advancing environmental education practices locally,” says Mike
The collaborative conference, held in Wellington in April 2024, was a way to bring together a diverse range of educators in order to pool resources, ideas and expertise, with the end goal of having a unified approach to teaching sustainability and environmental stewardship.
As a result of TEACH, all teachers at all levels – primary, secondary and tertiary – can now equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental challenges more effectively.
Looking ahead, Mike aims to expand TEACH’s influence by creating a nationwide network of educators committed to environmental education.
“We want to ensure our educational framework prepares New Zealand’s youth to tackle environmental issues with resilience and innovation.”
The TEACH initiative not only equips educators with practical tools and strategies but also instills a sense of urgency and responsibility in the next generation. By enhancing environmental literacy and fostering a culture of sustainability, this project contributes to a more informed and engaged community ready to address the ecological challenges of today and tomorrow.
To those hesitant about applying for grants, Mike offers a resounding encouragement.
“Often we have dreams and we always find that the one thing which keeps them from coming to fruition. Grants for Good literally makes those dreams come true.”
He emphasises the importance of thorough preparation and the careful reviewing of the application guidelines to craft a compelling proposal.
With the support of HealthCare Plus, Mike and the TEACH initiative exemplifies how collaborative initiative, coupled with strategic funding, can catalyse positive change in education and beyond, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for New Zealand’s educators and their students.
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