Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ Graduate Stories

I love seeing rangatahi Māori feeling successful knowing the reo of their tipuna.

It made me so happy to see that students who were initially having trouble being engaged in class are now the ones leading the learning for the rest of my students.

I've learned that a good teacher is someone who’s willing to work on themselves and to be teachable.

I found out about Teach First NZ I knew I wanted to apply for it and since then no regrets at all. I love what I do. I live for it.

I like to think I’m doing my small part in giving these students the tools that they need to really go for these jobs (S.T.E.M), these careers.

I have the most rewarding career and I do not think I could be happier with my decision of becoming a teacher.

The way that you learn on the programme - through being in front of young people - is really authentic so I think it’s a great learning experience.

There was such a diversity of experiences and knowledge in my cohort. It really did feel like the whakataukī: mā pango, mā whero, ka oti te mahi - nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi!

I really enjoyed learning on the job. Putting what we had learnt into practice straight away was definitely most beneficial for me.