Responding to extremism in the classroom: online lies and real world harm

Call for Expression of Interest: Responding to extremism in the classroom: online lies and real world harm

PPTA Te Wehengarua invites Expressions of Interest from experienced writers and educators to develop specific advice and guidelines for the membership on dealing with extremism in the classroom: online lies and real-world harm, for PPTA Te Wehengarua members.

Background

Teachers know the disruptive impact of extremism and online harms on classroom dynamics, students’ ability to think critically, student mental health, and teacher workload. Students are engaging with harmful ideologies that undermine respectful relationships, inclusive values, and their learning and development.

PPTA members believe that teachers and schools should not be left to face these challenges alone. The education sector needs tools, training, and resources necessary to equip both educators and students to navigate digital culture as safely and as critically as possible.

The ICT Advisory Committee (ICTAC) considered the writing of advice and guidance, giving feedback that this is complex and comprehensive work. There are overlaps within the education sector, and we can learn from the work of other nations. The ICTAC is concerned about everyone teaching critical literacy, as not all teachers are experts in this area, and has recommended that PPTA Te Wehengarua seek additional expert support on writing the advice and guidance. This would be completed with the ICT committee providing a review function for this highly specialised area.

The specific advice and guidelines support PPTA’s vision for a culturally responsive secondary teaching profession in which teachers are well supported in their roles and appropriately resourced. PPTA Te Wehengarua believes all ākonga benefit from teachers who have access to effective advice and guidance throughout their careers.

The development of advice and guidelines

To support key recommendations in the 2025 Annual Conference paper - PPTA Te Wehengarua is seeking a writer to develop specific advice and guidelines for the membership on dealing with extremism in the classroom.

These ‘extremisms can include:

• The ‘manosphere’: promotion of ‘toxic masculinity’, misogyny, and opposition to feminism.
• ‘Trad-wife’ culture: expressing regressive views on the role of women.
• ‘Pro-ana’ and ‘pro-mia’: pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia, body dysmorphia.
• Homophobia and transphobia: extreme views on people in rainbow communities.
• Islamophobia: imperialist justifications for genocide, individual justifications for mass killing.
• Antisemitism: resurgence of explicitly Neo-Nazi fascism keep antisemitism alive.
• Anti-Māori racism: racist ideologies increasingly prevalent in our classrooms.

About the Role

The successful writer will develop high-quality advice and guidance that:
• reflects the recommendations of the Annual Conference paper
• is grounded in the Aotearoa New Zealand secondary school context;
• supports teachers to recognise and respond to harmful online content and resilience against extremist ideologies;
• empowers teachers to help students make links between historical forms of fascism and contemporary forms of fascism;
• supports teachers to manage classroom discussions with sensitivity and confidence;
• is focussed on building digital resilience and belonging in the face of growing division online and in communities, and
• does not duplicate what is already available but provides clear links to other advice, including reporting and control mechanisms available.

Key tasks and deliverables

The writer will be responsible for:
• Writing specific advice and guidelines for the membership on dealing with extremism in the classroom: online lies and real-world harm.
• Reflecting the recommendations of the Annual Conference paper
• Working with the ICT advisory committee for feedback and feedforward (as appropriate).
• Ensuring the advice and guidelines meet different school contexts and are developed to be accessible to teachers on the PPTA website.

Timeframe for consideration

The project will begin as soon as practicable, with timing of the following indicative phases confirmed by agreement.
• Review available advice and guidance on dealing with extremism in the classroom: online lies and real-world harm.
• Develop specific advice and guidelines for the membership on dealing with extremism in the classroom: online lies and real-world harm.
• Engage with the PPTA ICTAC to garner feedback and feedforward (as appropriate) on the advice and guidance.
• Refine advice and guidance based on ICTAC feedback.
• Publish specific advice and guidance on dealing with extremism in the classroom (online).

Required skills and experience

We are seeking a writer who can demonstrate:
• Alignment with the values and constitutional objects of PPTA Te Wehengarua.
• Experience and/ or sound understanding of secondary education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• A strong understanding of extremism, online lies and real-world harm.
• Experience writing advice and guidance.
• Ability to work with ICTAC, seeking feedback and incorporating it into the advice and guidelines.
• Ability to communicate clearly, accessibly, and engagingly with educators.
• Ability to commence the project as soon as practicable, with timing confirmed by agreement.

Renumeration

The contract will be a fixed cost of $10000 plus GST. Note: Expenses associated with meeting the ICTAC (travel/accommodation/meals) will be met by PPTA Te Wehengarua.

Conflict of Interest

The writer will be required to complete a conflict-of-interest form and declare any real or perceived conflicts. All materials developed for this project will become the intellectual property of PPTA Te Wehengarua.

Please send a brief statement outlining your Expression of Interest with an attached CV to: Sudeshna Senadeera SSenadeera@ppta.org.nz by Friday, 3rd July 2026.

For any queries, please contact Kathleen Kaveney kkaveney@ppta.org.nz