Tetoki Tepaki - Secondary Teacher (Media Studies)

Tetoki shares his experience of the programme and why he loves teaching.

Tetoki Tepaki - Diploma in Teaching Secondary graduate

Key facts

Career: High School Teacher (Media Studies)
Programme: Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)
Campus: Epsom

“Media is my passion. I love sharing that passion with others. Teaching is a way to share that passion so that kids can take that knowledge and do what they want. To those students out there with passion for their industry, teaching is a way for you to do that.

"I’ve realised that what keeps me going are small little moments that you have with the kids helping them improve their attendance, behaviour and school work, especially with Pacific Island kids, getting them to where they should be – helping their teachers build a relationship with them – because there are cultural differences.

To those students out there with passion for their industry, teaching is a way for you to do that.

"I really enjoyed the programme. I particularly enjoyed the one to one time with lecturers, the small classrooms, how the lecturers had time for us. I enjoyed the awareness of Māori tikanga and treaty of Waitangi. I enjoyed the collaboration with students from other curriculum areas. I liked the way practicums were organised – a smooth ship.

"The thing that really made it for me was how supportive the staff were. I came from another university that was not as supportive. My supervisor at UoA came to see me on my first practicum and asked if I was sleeping OK. She was not just there to give me a pass or fail. She cared about my wellbeing.

"I recommend to other teachers, don’t forget why you got into teaching in the first place. Things can get tough. But the why I teach has always been the driving force to push me ahead.”