About RTLB

Resource Teachers: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) are specialist teachers who work alongside schools to support ākonga whose learning, behaviour, engagement, or inclusion needs are making it hard for them to thrive in the classroom.

RTLB do not replace classroom teaching. Instead, we work with teachers and school teams to understand what is happening for the learner, strengthen teaching practice, and design practical supports that work in real classrooms, in real time.

Our role is to build the capability of the adults around the learner so that positive change is sustainable and long-lasting.

RTLB support is helpful when schools have already tried strategies and need specialist support to understand what else might make a difference.

RTLB work in partnership with:

  • Teachers

  • Teacher aides / learning assistants

  • SENCo and Learning Support Coordinators

  • School leaders and pastoral teams

  • Parents, caregivers, and whānau

  • Ministry of Education | Te Mahau colleagues

  • Other professionals (agencies)

How we support

RTLB work with schools and students in a variety of ways. They may work with:

  • individual students and their whānau | families

  • groups of students

  • individual teachers, early intervention specialists, learning support coordinators (LSCs) or special education needs coordinators (SENCOs)

  • a whole school or groups of schools

RTLB support is a collaborative process designed to strengthen teaching practice and improve outcomes for ākonga experiencing challenges with learning, behaviour, engagement, or inclusion.

RTLB work alongside teachers and school teams to understand what is happening for the learner and the environment, and to design practical supports that work in everyday classrooms.

Schools may request RTLB support when a learner is experiencing ongoing challenges with:

  • Learning progress

  • Behaviour in the classroom or playground

  • Engagement with learning

  • Social and emotional wellbeing at school

  • Inclusion in classroom and school life

  • Classroom environments that are not yet working for the learner

  • Teaching approaches that need adapting to better meet diverse needs