Teachers' day tribute

Fast-tracked to Deputy Principal at the age of 33, graduate of the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Frank Tasi welcomes the celebration of World Teachers' Day on 5 October and reflects on teaching.

Frank Tasi, Bachelor of Education (Teaching) graduate, now a Deputy Principal

“I love teaching. I wouldn’t have any other job… unless I was an All Black,” says Frank Tasi reflecting on his stellar rise to the position of Deputy Principal.

“Teaching has provided my family and I with so much. There’s a lot of give and take, but what you receive in the end is greater than what you give.”

However, he does advise young people considering a career in teaching that “if you are in it for the money, don’t bother. But if you are wanting to influence the next generation to make a change, definitely pursue it."

Remembering a great teacher

“The vast majority of teachers I’ve met are in the profession for the right reasons: to share, uplift and inspire the next generation.”

Frank is grateful for the teaching he received in Otara, now Flatbush. One teacher stood out. Mrs Vimla Sewpershad was his secondary school maths teacher. Frank described himself as being a bit lazy, but not a bad boy. He failed the end of year school maths exam just before he sat his School Certificate. “I was quite disheartened and depressed.”

Mrs Sewpershad called him over and started bouncing a tennis ball. “She asked me what I thought it was. I said, ‘A tennis ball.’ She replied that it was the quality of ‘resilience – the ability to bounce back’.” That lesson stayed with Frank. He bounced back and passed School Certificate maths. He now uses the tennis ball analogy in his own teaching. “I am so grateful for that lesson and for her.”

Number one is the ability to build a relationship with a child. They’re not just a statistic. Any child should be able to openly talk to their teacher. It should be a reciprocal relationship. Pupil and teachers should learn from each other.

Frank Tasi, Deputy Principal David Henry School

Frank came to teaching via a two-year volunteer stint on a church mission in Wellington and the South Island.  “I learnt I had the knack for teaching.”

His “amazing wife” did some groundwork and found out that the University of Auckland offered a teaching degree at Manukau. For Frank, the Manukau base was what clinched it. “I was born and raised in South Auckland. I was a home boy. I feared going out into Central. Studying at Manukau really fitted well with my family life.

“I am so grateful for the University of Auckland opening up teaching opportunities in Manukau and making it easier for those of us who would prefer not to travel into town to participate in receiving the education we need to be a teacher.”

 

Manukau a great place to study

He loved the course content, the lecturers and the small whānau-like atmosphere. “The cohort in my year of 76 students was small and intimate. We really built good relationships.” Studying was enjoyable for him. “It just appealed to my talents and gifts.”

Frank is at pains to make sure he doesn’t come across as “prideful” or “blowing his own horn”. He explains: “I’ve met and learned from so many other teachers. Learning from them is how I developed into the teacher I am now.”

He stayed on to complete an honours year, then taught for a year at Rowandale School in Manurewa, South Auckland. A job came up in Tokoroa, 2-3 hours south of Auckland, and he embraced the challenge. After three years at Tokoroa North, he was appointed Deputy Principal at David Henry School, also in Tokoroa.

“I think it was quite early on in my career. I bring a lot of youth and enthusiasm to the job, as well as skills in people management and IT.”

It’s nice to hear the profession’s getting recognition in terms of a celebratory day.”

Frank Tasi

The school has a lot of potential “but wasn’t considered a school of choice”. According to Frank, although the students and staff were amazing, the school was often overlooked.The goal for him and the school’s new Principal and their “brilliant staff is to strive to help the children become what they are destined to be”.

They set about challenging the perception that it was mediocre and effecting change.“We’re definitely making inroads.” The roll has grown from 65 kids to 86 kids. A few families whose children Frank had previously taught switched over to his new school. Others were influenced by an article about Frank in the local newspaper and other articles that celebrated the successes of the school.  The school feels so strongly about the quality of education it has to offer that it has opened its doors to local families. “We say, come and have a look. Try it for a day. If your child loves it, it’s up to you as a family. We’re an open book. We have confidence in the school and staff that parents will want to choose the school after seeing it.”

Honestly I’m just grateful for the education I received. I’m wearing a
Faculty of Education and Social Work hoodie. I’m loyal and proud

Frank Tasi

World Teachers’ Day on Friday 5 October falls in the school holidays. Frank will be busy with “Daddy time” – hanging out with his three children, aged two, four and nine. He tries to make up for lost time when he’s busy at school and can’t get home early during term time.

What’s the most important quality he looks for in a teacher for his children? “Number one is the ability to build a relationship with a child. They’re not just a statistic. Any child should be able to openly talk to their teacher. It should be a reciprocal relationship. Pupil and teachers should learn from each other.

Fortunately, Frank says, the vast majority of teachers are in the profession for the right reason and have great skills. It’s nice to hear the profession’s getting recognition in terms of a celebratory day.”

Frank’s own rewards come from seeing the children he’s taught grow up to fulfil their potential. Recently he saw a boy he’d taught play as a drummer in a band celebrating Cook Island language week. “It tugged at my heartstrings to see him progressing and turn into this talented young man. Moments like these assert my commitment to the profession.

“Honestly I’m just grateful for the education I received. I’m wearing a Faculty of Education and Social Work hoodie. I’m loyal and proud.”