Liz Cassidy - Learning Support Coordinator
The Graduate Diploma in TESSOL has helped Liz to support students from all backgrounds, build relationships with children and aiga (families) and support other teachers with the same vision.
“Education has always been important to me and my aiga (family). Growing up in New Zealand with Samoan as my first language, I understand the challenges that English language learners face. When my youngest children were in their final year of primary school, I decided to become a teacher to make a difference in children’s lives.
“I’ve worked with a diverse range of students, right across the board. I enrolled in postgraduate study to develop my skills to best support students from all backgrounds, and to help to shift any deficit views towards English language learners.
“Students from wide-ranging backgrounds bring incredible value to a classroom and that needs to be acknowledged and celebrated.”
“My postgraduate study has helped me to celebrate the importance of diversity within a classroom, build relationships with children and aiga and support other teachers with the same vision. We’re so lucky to have diverse students who bring a wealth of knowledge from their own cultures and families in our classrooms – their experiences and perspectives add to the learning of all students.
“It’s not always easy to balance family and work with study, but it’s worth it. The fantastic lecturers at the faculty are always very supportive; they’re only ever an email away. I’ve enjoyed studying alongside other teachers, sharing perspectives to learn from each other. We have different backgrounds, but we share the same goal: making learning the best it can be for everyone.”
In 2021, the Graduate Diploma in TESSOL was replaced with the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching Linguistically Diverse Learners programmes.