Professional Leaders and Employers

As a professional leader in a New Zealand education setting, you play a key part in ensuring the quality of the teaching profession remains high and that the community has confidence in their children's teachers.

Who is a Professional Leader?

The Education Act defines a professional leader as:

  1. in the case of a school, the Principal:
  2. in the case of an early childhood service, the Professional Leader:
  3. in the case of any other educational institution, the Chief Executive or person occupying an equivalent position.

What is the role of a Professional Leader in registration of teachers?

The New Zealand Teachers Council has a legislative role to support the professional status of teachers and high quality teaching and learning through its mandated functions. To achieve this, we need your help as a professional leader in ECE services, schools and kura kaupapa by you ensuring that all teachers are:

  • registered or authorised before they begin their employment and that teaching positions within your institution are accurately identified 
  • engaged in professional learning and development and you keep accurate records of this
  • having regular performance appraisals, incorporating the Registered Teacher Criteria, and records of these are accurately kept
  • part of the Mandatory Reporting process (when there are concerns about a teacher's conduct or competence) and you handle these appropriately and report to the New Zealand Teachers Council
  • knowlegeable about the Council's Registration Policy so that you endorse a teacher to gain or maintain full registration knowing their competencies and their ability to meet all of the Registered Teacher Criteria
  • Provisionally registered teachers and teachers registered subject to confirmation (STC) are supported with an appropriate induction and mentoring programme so they can gain full registration.

Resources to help you in your role: