Reviews
It has been a wonderful experience to have Misch as a teacher this year. She is very knowledgeable, very approachable and an encouraging Kaiako. In her class, I have learnt a great deal of Te Reo Maori sentence structures, a lot of new vocabulary, new waiata and karakia. Most importantly, my understanding of the Maori world view has increased and deepened. Misch is a Tikanga expert, she gives her students a safe space in which they can ask questions as well as practice their pepeha, whakapapa and their chosen whakatauki. Of course, as is the case for any language, students need to put the hours to learn and practice.
All the best for 2020 Misch!
I'll miss you;
Laure
I was a tauira in Misch Tohu's class for last year learning Te Reo Maori.
She has an absolute gift for teaching. The very first night she was so open about herself and who she is , you couldn't help but respond and a connection was made.
Her teaching is exemplary, she will explain more than once if you need it and she is happy to spend extra time if one needs it, and stay back to give extra help.
It was never a hassle when I would ask (probably stupid) questions at times. She is patient, thought provoking, gets you to think about issues and is always positive.
At the start I would get a bit stressed as at my age ( 65 ) my memory isn't what it once was, but Misch would always encourage, tell me I was doing good and be so positive, you can't help but end up believing you can do it and the stress goes away as you just know she's got your back.
To me that is huge in a teacher, because you don't feel you're in it on your own.
I am so grateful to have been in her class and am motivated to continue learning.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Sue Carey
Mischellé was my kaiako this year when I am returning to my journey with Te reo Māori after a long break from any formal learning. From the very first class I felt completely safe under her guidance.
Misch teaches in a way which recognises and uplifts the holistic learning and wellbeing of each tauira. She shares her energy for Te Ao Māori, not shying away from difficult kaupapa, instead delving in, leading the way with honesty but also compassion and empathy.
This is the thing I admire most about Misch as a teacher and person. I learnt more of my reo this year but I also learnt ways to allow different perspectives, and ways to share a Te Ao Māori perspective in a way that holds the mana of others intact and respected.
If you get the chance to have Misch as your kaiako I say karawhiua!
Ngā mihi,
Kia ora koutou.
I was a tauira of Mischelle Tohu at Birkdale North Shore Auckland, 2019.
Unfortunately and very regretful, I had to leave during my 3rd trimester, due to an illness in my whānau.
We came to call her Misch. She is so, relaxing to be around with and open to talk about any thing. Understanding with all that is Tikanga Māori me Te Reo Māori. Loved the open kõrero that we would have after each class that covered from Tikanga to politics in Māori. Always walking away with more knowledge.
If you decide to become one of Misch's tauira, you will walk away feeling blessed with the knowledge of Tikanga, waiata and to be able to converse in Te reo
Māori.
I wish you luck on your journey and content that you will succeed with Mischelle beside you, and all those their to awhi her, awhi you.
Nāu te raurau
Nāku te raurau.
Ngā mihi nunui.
Feedback from Heart kids foundation
I found yesterday’s training really enlightening...even with having some minimal personal experience with Maori culture/customs, and having done some courses during my studies, I learnt so much in the way in which the course was delivered, that being from the heart, and through personal connection and through the oral art of sitting and being fully present sharing stories/history. I like the way in which she broke down the words and gave the visual connection. The story at the end was very powerful and allowed the connections to be made of the importance and relevance of looking at more than just the person but all those layers around them. Thanks again for allowing us to have these opportunities to continue to grow.
Thank you so much Misch, for such a thought-full and thought provoking day yesterday. I'm not sure how to verbalise this well, but I feel I have a better understanding of Te Reo Maori even though we didn't practice or learn any words per se, an understanding of how the language is so intertwined with the spiritual. I feel that learning more about the spiritual concepts will help me get a grasp on the language, which I'd very much like to learn.
There are many things I'd like to ask you now, so I'm sad you're moving down country, but wish you the very best in making a new start building community with your family. (like I said, hard to verbalize what I really mean to say)
Thank you again for a wonderful day and thank you to the rest of your team also, thank you for being so present with us, that was a real gift. Much appreciated.
Thank you for organizing yesterday’s Tikanga training. I was really busy yesterday and also felt that having done this type of training many times before I may not find anything “new.” Well how wrong I was!
The facilitators were amazing, honest and raw and enabled us to connect emotionally with the subject matter. They shared of themselves so deeply I was left feeling inspired , with a greater understanding of the very deep seated cultural void that has been created for some within their own Maori culture. I was able to reflect on poor health outcomes we so often hear about and can’t help but think after this training “no wonder.” I spent the morning on the drive to work pondering distance relatives who are troubled and wondering if they know who they really are……….so much food for thought.
I enjoyed the sharing of stories, the new learning about those we work closely with on a daily basis and their stories they felt able to share and the wonderful illustrations of what it means to be Maori in today’s world and the western culture and the Maori world view has to be navigated.
Huge thanks to Mish and her team and lets do more of this.
I had heard extremely positive things about Misch’s teaching style so I was expecting the workshop to be of high quality. What I wasn’t expecting was to feel such a deep connection to the content and Kaiako. I came away from the day with what feels like a more balanced, personal and emotional understanding of tikanga rather than intellectual knowledge. I really couldn’t have asked for more in this regard.
Keep sharing your wisdom Misch, you have a natural ability to connect with people in a way that is both inspiring and thought provoking. You and your story are a blessing. Thank you for sharing a little bit of you with us.
All the best for 2020 Misch!
I'll miss you;
Laure
I was a tauira in Misch Tohu's class for last year learning Te Reo Maori.
She has an absolute gift for teaching. The very first night she was so open about herself and who she is , you couldn't help but respond and a connection was made.
Her teaching is exemplary, she will explain more than once if you need it and she is happy to spend extra time if one needs it, and stay back to give extra help.
It was never a hassle when I would ask (probably stupid) questions at times. She is patient, thought provoking, gets you to think about issues and is always positive.
At the start I would get a bit stressed as at my age ( 65 ) my memory isn't what it once was, but Misch would always encourage, tell me I was doing good and be so positive, you can't help but end up believing you can do it and the stress goes away as you just know she's got your back.
To me that is huge in a teacher, because you don't feel you're in it on your own.
I am so grateful to have been in her class and am motivated to continue learning.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Sue Carey
Mischellé was my kaiako this year when I am returning to my journey with Te reo Māori after a long break from any formal learning. From the very first class I felt completely safe under her guidance.
Misch teaches in a way which recognises and uplifts the holistic learning and wellbeing of each tauira. She shares her energy for Te Ao Māori, not shying away from difficult kaupapa, instead delving in, leading the way with honesty but also compassion and empathy.
This is the thing I admire most about Misch as a teacher and person. I learnt more of my reo this year but I also learnt ways to allow different perspectives, and ways to share a Te Ao Māori perspective in a way that holds the mana of others intact and respected.
If you get the chance to have Misch as your kaiako I say karawhiua!
Ngā mihi,
Kia ora koutou.
I was a tauira of Mischelle Tohu at Birkdale North Shore Auckland, 2019.
Unfortunately and very regretful, I had to leave during my 3rd trimester, due to an illness in my whānau.
We came to call her Misch. She is so, relaxing to be around with and open to talk about any thing. Understanding with all that is Tikanga Māori me Te Reo Māori. Loved the open kõrero that we would have after each class that covered from Tikanga to politics in Māori. Always walking away with more knowledge.
If you decide to become one of Misch's tauira, you will walk away feeling blessed with the knowledge of Tikanga, waiata and to be able to converse in Te reo
Māori.
I wish you luck on your journey and content that you will succeed with Mischelle beside you, and all those their to awhi her, awhi you.
Nāu te raurau
Nāku te raurau.
Ngā mihi nunui.
Feedback from Heart kids foundation
I found yesterday’s training really enlightening...even with having some minimal personal experience with Maori culture/customs, and having done some courses during my studies, I learnt so much in the way in which the course was delivered, that being from the heart, and through personal connection and through the oral art of sitting and being fully present sharing stories/history. I like the way in which she broke down the words and gave the visual connection. The story at the end was very powerful and allowed the connections to be made of the importance and relevance of looking at more than just the person but all those layers around them. Thanks again for allowing us to have these opportunities to continue to grow.
Thank you so much Misch, for such a thought-full and thought provoking day yesterday. I'm not sure how to verbalise this well, but I feel I have a better understanding of Te Reo Maori even though we didn't practice or learn any words per se, an understanding of how the language is so intertwined with the spiritual. I feel that learning more about the spiritual concepts will help me get a grasp on the language, which I'd very much like to learn.
There are many things I'd like to ask you now, so I'm sad you're moving down country, but wish you the very best in making a new start building community with your family. (like I said, hard to verbalize what I really mean to say)
Thank you again for a wonderful day and thank you to the rest of your team also, thank you for being so present with us, that was a real gift. Much appreciated.
Thank you for organizing yesterday’s Tikanga training. I was really busy yesterday and also felt that having done this type of training many times before I may not find anything “new.” Well how wrong I was!
The facilitators were amazing, honest and raw and enabled us to connect emotionally with the subject matter. They shared of themselves so deeply I was left feeling inspired , with a greater understanding of the very deep seated cultural void that has been created for some within their own Maori culture. I was able to reflect on poor health outcomes we so often hear about and can’t help but think after this training “no wonder.” I spent the morning on the drive to work pondering distance relatives who are troubled and wondering if they know who they really are……….so much food for thought.
I enjoyed the sharing of stories, the new learning about those we work closely with on a daily basis and their stories they felt able to share and the wonderful illustrations of what it means to be Maori in today’s world and the western culture and the Maori world view has to be navigated.
Huge thanks to Mish and her team and lets do more of this.
I had heard extremely positive things about Misch’s teaching style so I was expecting the workshop to be of high quality. What I wasn’t expecting was to feel such a deep connection to the content and Kaiako. I came away from the day with what feels like a more balanced, personal and emotional understanding of tikanga rather than intellectual knowledge. I really couldn’t have asked for more in this regard.
Keep sharing your wisdom Misch, you have a natural ability to connect with people in a way that is both inspiring and thought provoking. You and your story are a blessing. Thank you for sharing a little bit of you with us.