The vocation of teaching is complex in our current cultural moment. Christian teachers have to be aware of current best practice in the classroom and the conversations shaping the way we understand faith and spirituality.

Laidlaw College is excited to offer in-depth training in this field through our Postgraduate Certificate in Theology (PGCertTh) in Theological Education. Commencing in 2023, this programme will explore current theological discourse and how this can form us in our particular context in Aotearoa. Students will be equipped to understand the cultural and philosophical currents of thought around them and how the Gospel of Jesus speaks into and addresses these. The programme is designed for a wide variety of vocations having to do with theological education including but not limited to: Christian school teachers, teachers in Christian schools, school administrators, board of trustee members, and others involved in teaching contexts in Aotearoa.

The PGCertTh (Theological Education) is a part-time programme comprised of two successive courses of 30 credits at level 8: 1) Foundations of Theological Education, and 2) Issues in Theological Education in Aotearoa. The two papers must be completed in order, although not necessarily in the same year. Each course is taught via online lessons and an onsite intensive (at Laidlaw’s Christchurch campus in 2023), with course readings and assessments across the semester. You can find out more about the courses here. 

For students interested in further study, the PGCertTh (Theological Education) may be counted toward Laidlaw’s Postgraduate Diploma in Theology or, with approval, a Master of Theology degree.

LECTURERS

Sam Burrows is a lecturer of Education in the School of Social Practice, teaching theology and education papers. He has a broad range of teaching experience in New Zealand schools, including a role as deputy. In 2022 Sam completed his Master’s thesis, which explored current trends in spirituality in Aotearoa and the more expansive West. He also serves on staff at Saint Augustine’s Anglican church in Auckland.

Rebecca Dow is a lecturer of Education in the School of Social Practice. She has qualifications in Social and Community Development, History and English. Her master's research focused on pastoral care systems in New Zealand secondary schools, and the need to build and establish effective school-wide practices to cope with the complexities involved in caring for young people with high needs. Her experience in the education sector has been diverse. She has been a teacher, deputy Principal, consultant and a research and policy advisor for the Spokesperson for Education.

Miriam Jessie Fisher is a lecturer of Education in the School of Social Practice, lecturing into Inclusive Education and The Arts. Her interests include how non-Māori speakers can be encouraged to speak Te Reo Māori and engage with Te Ao Māori and integrate that into their classroom learning. She is interested in how children acquire theology and how the big topics can be taught well in Christian Educational institutions. Theologically, Miriam is interested in how Creative practice can be formative and transformative and the ways in which the Church can engage with the Arts in its mission in the world. Miriam has worked as an educator in Aotearoa/NZ, England and Australia, teaching across all year levels from NE-year 8 as a classroom practitioner or specialist teacher. She has led and written programmes for schools and churches as well as creating professional development for teachers. 

Other faculty and guest lecturers also form the teaching cohort for these courses.