Principal, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Grey Lynn
My first career was in advertising and marketing, then I had two children and became mother help in the classroom. One of my children’s teachers told me to go back to university and finish off my degree, so I did and thus began my teaching career. I have never looked back and I am still loving the daily challenge of ensuring that each child can reach their potential.
Where did you train?
Auckland College of Education, Epsom - finishing my degree majoring in mathematics at the University of Auckland.
What brought you to your current school?
I was looking for a principal’s position in a school with a great heart and great spirit. St Joseph’s Catholic School has just that. The students are very giving and very loving. The teachers are very passionate about what they do and the parents and community are extremely supportive. The school holds a place in the hearts of the local community and I have had so many people coming into the school offering their services just to be able to contribute to the children. We are in the process of introducing many new and innovative ideas and I can see our roll growing in the near future.
What are your favourite things about being a teacher?
Having a student say, ‘Oh, I get it!’ This is music to my ears. They also tell me I make maths fun, apparently quite the challenge!
What has been a highlight of your teaching career?
I had the opportunity to go overseas and work in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kazakhstan, training teachers in modern pedagogical practices. I experienced entirely new and different cultures and it gave me an insight into adapting education systems and curriculums for different philosophies in teaching and learning. Working with translators in Abu Dhabi and Kazakhstan was interesting and very challenging, and experiencing different religious beliefs led me to appreciate others and grow in my own beliefs.
I was also very privileged to work in both of my children’s schools. I taught at St Peter’s College with my son and Baradene College with my daughter, although thankfully never in their classes!
What has been a low point of your teaching career?
Being in front of a class of 52 year 10, low-stream maths students who really didn’t want to learn (this was in Watford, London).
How would you describe yourself?
Hardworking, empathetic to student’s needs, innovative, always smiling.
How would other teachers describe you?
Kind and giving. Always trying to help. Fun to be with.
How would your students describe you?
Fun, pedantic, helpful, kind and very fair. Some students I meet in later life tell me I was the best maths teacher they ever had.
If you could wave a magic wand in your classroom...
Having children in the classroom know they are safe and loved. This in turn encourages them to understand the meaning of education and helps them to learn and explore. The swear jar wouldn’t be needed and all children were speaking with correct grammar, there is no such word as ‘yous’ and you say ‘Milly and I’, not ‘me and Milly’.
Five tips for mums and dads of primary school kids?
1. Ask your children what they did at school and then listen to them.
2. When you come home from work, spend at the first 30 minutes in quality time focussed
on your children.
3. Let them help you with the shopping. Ask them how much things cost, get them to put
six apples in the bag, get them to find 500g of cheese. Involve them in your
everyday life.
4. At the end of the day, read to them, whether they are two or 12. Every child loves
being read to.
5. No IT during the week. That means iPad, tablets, computer games, mobile phones, TV
down to a minimum. The main thing to give your children is time.