Siosiana Taufalele - Bachelor of Education (Teaching)

Meeting students, hearing their stories, listening to their ideas, and witnessing the great things they can do keeps Siosiana passionate about her future career in education.

"Kilikilitefua (Makave), Vakataumai mo e ‘Esi ko ‘Elenoa(Falevai) mei he Lolo-’a-Halaevalu  

"Mālō e lelei. Ko hoku hingoa′ ko Siosi’ana Deborah Taufalele. Ko e Tonga au, pea ko ‘eku lele mai mei he Kilikilitefua pea mo Vakataumai mo e ‘Esi ko ‘Elenoa mei Vava’u Lahi.

"Studying to become a teacher has been something that I have wanted to do ever since I was young. I was inspired by all the excellent teachers I had in school who fostered a love for learning in me and by my mother, who has been teaching for 13 years and showed me the great satisfaction that comes from being a teacher.

"Before starting the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) programme I completed the Tertiary Foundation Certificate programme. The certificate prepares you academically, mentally and socially for the bachelor programme. I learned skills in time management, how to tackle academic readings, how to prioritize my studies alongside my life commitments and how to transition to being a first year student without knowing anyone. A bonus was knowing that one of our lectures was a past Tertiary Foundation Certificate student and that she was not only teaching us for foundation but for the bachelor programme too.

The best thing about working in school environments is being amongst people who share the same mindset and love for students as you do.

Siosiana Taufalele Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary Specialisation

"What I have enjoyed most about the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) programme is the balance of theory and practice. I love the wide spectrum of philosophical pedagogical ideologies that is covered in class and the practicums. The best thing about working in school environments is being amongst people who share the same mindset and love for students as you do. I loved meeting the different students; getting to hear their stories, listen to their ideas, and witness the great things they can do.

"The best thing about studying at the South Auckland campus is ‘He Tangata he Tangata', the people, the people. The staff and students are what make the campus great. Everyone genuinely wants you to succeed and the immense level of support from staff smoothens the stress that comes from assignments and exams.

"When I first started studying our timetable catered to our demographic of students who had children. Watching parents being able to study with us was inspiring. Our kaupapa of whānau also meant we had a collective lunchtime break that was used for mentoring. This kaupapa worked for us not only relationally but also academically. When one person succeeded in life we all celebrated. The amount of Pasifika, Māori, and overall top scholars that our kaupapa of whānau produced from South Auckland is motivating and something that has kept us hooked into the hope education offers for all.

"Following my graduation, I see myself preparing for my first year as a beginning teacher or even enrolling in further studies. In ten years, I see myself continuing to serve our people and community in the same way my mother and past teachers have done."