Penni Cushman | University of Canterbury/Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha (original) (raw)

Papers by Penni Cushman

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing student self‐worth in the primary school learning environment: teachers' views and students' views

This paper reports the findings from a study of teachers and students' views rega... more This paper reports the findings from a study of teachers and students' views regarding self‐worth in the primary school learning environment. The revised New Zealand curriculum recognises the importance of self‐worth in students' motivation and ability to learn. While the need to enhance self‐worth in the classroom has been well established in the literature, similarities and differences between teachers and

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges of Parental Involvement Within a Health Promoting School Framework in New Zealand

Education Research International, 2013

The study sought to identify key issues regarding parental involvement within a health promoting ... more The study sought to identify key issues regarding parental involvement within a health promoting school (HPS) approach directed at addressing children's nutrition and physical activity. A case study research design was used, involving six primary schools in Auckland, New Zealand. Data were collected via six individual interviews with principals, six group interviews with a total of 26 teachers, 13 focus groups with a total of 92 children, and a survey of 229 parents. The study found that while schools agreed on the importance of schools and parents promoting the same healthy behaviours, there was a lack of agreement on the role of school staff in educating parents. School principals identified issues around managing the food brought from home and the extent to which they should regulate types of food. Parents stressed the importance of modelling healthy food and exercise practices in the home environment but identified factors that often made this difficult, a scenario that did not go unnoticed by their children. It is recommended that parental involvement be encouraged and supported so that schools and families can achieve consistency in health promotion practices across both school and home environments.

Research paper thumbnail of Let's hear it from the males: Issues facing male primary school teachers

Teaching and Teacher Education, 2005

As the number of male teachers in primary schools continues to decrease, the resultant gender imb... more As the number of male teachers in primary schools continues to decrease, the resultant gender imbalance has become the focus of increased discussion and debate. While the reasons for the decline in the number of males enrolling in teacher education are complex and multi-faceted, four factors which have been identified as contributing to the decline are experiences and attitudes related to status, salary, working in a predominantly female environment, and physical contact with children. In an attempt to explore the extent to which they were concerned and challenged by these factors, focus group interviews were conducted with practising male primary school teachers. The study confirms that each of the four issues has the potential to influence the decision to take up a career in teaching and to impact on job satisfaction and performance. r

Research paper thumbnail of Health-promoting schools and mental health issues: a survey of New Zealand schools

Pastoral Care in Education, 2011

... 10.1080/02643944.2011.626066 Penni Cushman a * , Tracy Clelland a & Garry Hornby a pa... more ... 10.1080/02643944.2011.626066 Penni Cushman a * , Tracy Clelland a & Garry Hornby a pages 247-260. ... Dickinson (200514. Dickinson, P. 2005. Health promoting schools: a review of international literature and models of practice , Wellington, , New Zealand: Ministry of Health. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing student self‐worth in the primary school learning environment: teachers' views and students' views

Pastoral Care in Education, 2010

This paper reports the findings from a study of teachers and students' views rega... more This paper reports the findings from a study of teachers and students' views regarding self‐worth in the primary school learning environment. The revised New Zealand curriculum recognises the importance of self‐worth in students' motivation and ability to learn. While the need to enhance self‐worth in the classroom has been well established in the literature, similarities and differences between teachers and

Research paper thumbnail of Addressing health issues in New Zealand schools

International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 2012

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of It's just not a real bloke's job: male teachers in the primary school

Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 2005

... Ludowyke proposes that we need to focus on encouraging a social critique of dominant cultural... more ... Ludowyke proposes that we need to focus on encouraging a social critique of dominant cultural messages and expectations about gender in order ... the small proportion of male teachers in primary schools is the argument that boys need more male role models, particularly ...

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing student self‐worth in the primary school learning environment: teachers' views and students' views

This paper reports the findings from a study of teachers and students' views rega... more This paper reports the findings from a study of teachers and students' views regarding self‐worth in the primary school learning environment. The revised New Zealand curriculum recognises the importance of self‐worth in students' motivation and ability to learn. While the need to enhance self‐worth in the classroom has been well established in the literature, similarities and differences between teachers and

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges of Parental Involvement Within a Health Promoting School Framework in New Zealand

Education Research International, 2013

The study sought to identify key issues regarding parental involvement within a health promoting ... more The study sought to identify key issues regarding parental involvement within a health promoting school (HPS) approach directed at addressing children's nutrition and physical activity. A case study research design was used, involving six primary schools in Auckland, New Zealand. Data were collected via six individual interviews with principals, six group interviews with a total of 26 teachers, 13 focus groups with a total of 92 children, and a survey of 229 parents. The study found that while schools agreed on the importance of schools and parents promoting the same healthy behaviours, there was a lack of agreement on the role of school staff in educating parents. School principals identified issues around managing the food brought from home and the extent to which they should regulate types of food. Parents stressed the importance of modelling healthy food and exercise practices in the home environment but identified factors that often made this difficult, a scenario that did not go unnoticed by their children. It is recommended that parental involvement be encouraged and supported so that schools and families can achieve consistency in health promotion practices across both school and home environments.

Research paper thumbnail of Let's hear it from the males: Issues facing male primary school teachers

Teaching and Teacher Education, 2005

As the number of male teachers in primary schools continues to decrease, the resultant gender imb... more As the number of male teachers in primary schools continues to decrease, the resultant gender imbalance has become the focus of increased discussion and debate. While the reasons for the decline in the number of males enrolling in teacher education are complex and multi-faceted, four factors which have been identified as contributing to the decline are experiences and attitudes related to status, salary, working in a predominantly female environment, and physical contact with children. In an attempt to explore the extent to which they were concerned and challenged by these factors, focus group interviews were conducted with practising male primary school teachers. The study confirms that each of the four issues has the potential to influence the decision to take up a career in teaching and to impact on job satisfaction and performance. r

Research paper thumbnail of Health-promoting schools and mental health issues: a survey of New Zealand schools

Pastoral Care in Education, 2011

... 10.1080/02643944.2011.626066 Penni Cushman a * , Tracy Clelland a & Garry Hornby a pa... more ... 10.1080/02643944.2011.626066 Penni Cushman a * , Tracy Clelland a & Garry Hornby a pages 247-260. ... Dickinson (200514. Dickinson, P. 2005. Health promoting schools: a review of international literature and models of practice , Wellington, , New Zealand: Ministry of Health. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing student self‐worth in the primary school learning environment: teachers' views and students' views

Pastoral Care in Education, 2010

This paper reports the findings from a study of teachers and students' views rega... more This paper reports the findings from a study of teachers and students' views regarding self‐worth in the primary school learning environment. The revised New Zealand curriculum recognises the importance of self‐worth in students' motivation and ability to learn. While the need to enhance self‐worth in the classroom has been well established in the literature, similarities and differences between teachers and

Research paper thumbnail of Addressing health issues in New Zealand schools

International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 2012

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of It's just not a real bloke's job: male teachers in the primary school

Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 2005

... Ludowyke proposes that we need to focus on encouraging a social critique of dominant cultural... more ... Ludowyke proposes that we need to focus on encouraging a social critique of dominant cultural messages and expectations about gender in order ... the small proportion of male teachers in primary schools is the argument that boys need more male role models, particularly ...