“I enrolled in the Doctor
of Education programme
because I wanted to
become a more effective
school leader as well as
to continue to develop my
expertise as a researcher.”
“I chose to study at the University of Auckland
because it provided me the opportunity to work
with researchers who have influenced education
systems in New Zealand and are internationally
recognised for their contribution to the fields of
education and leadership.
“Pursuing my doctorate has given me the
opportunity to explore how school leaders could
participate more effectively in professional inquiry
with teachers to positively influence student
outcomes.
“I have been able to apply problem-based
methodology to understand school leaders’ actions
as they lead staff professional inquiry, and how
these actions could be revised to better support
both teacher and student learning.
“I am enjoying working with other doctoral
students in my cohort who represent expertise from
a variety of contexts beyond secondary education.
Their perspectives enrich my thinking and their
encouragement keeps me motivated when times
get tough.
“I hope my research will have practical application
for other school leaders in their own contexts to
better support diverse learners.”
Miranda Makin is studying a Doctor of Education
with an educational leadership inquiry pathway.
She is currently an associate principal at an
Auckland secondary school.
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