Championing inspirational New Zealand teachers

Teachers change the course of lives

They are in a unique position to positively influence young people, to help them unearth and chase dreams. And sometimes, that dream becomes the art of teaching.

Here, Stuff speaks with two university students who illustrate the profound ways a significant teacher has shaped their lives and why teaching remains one of the most important professions in New Zealand society.

Both students are planning to teach and work with young people.

Do you have a story of a teacher who inspired you when you were at school?

If so, click here to nominate them as a way to say thanks for being so passionate in their role and pivotal in your life. Your story could be featured in a Stuff article and video.

ENTRIES CLOSE SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER

Our class was a family

A teaching career was not on Kenna Richmond’s radar until she encountered an inspiring teacher in her final year of college.

Thanks to an active, outdoorsy childhood, Kenna was always going to pursue health or sporting pathways. Coaching comes naturally to her – she’s been helping other young sportspeople since her teens.

However, it took a year 13 outdoor education class to propel her towards teaching.

“My teacher Mr Rennell had lots of passion,” Kenna says. “I saw just how much joy he had out of teaching.

“He was approachable and friendly and fun to be around, we respected him and he really created a space where our class was a family. We were taught life skills; relationship building, leadership. And we got to go on these trips that a lot of people would never do in their lifetime.

“I saw my fellow students grow and change because of the environment he created and situations he put us in. Now I want to give opportunities to people the same way. Personally, he gave me a lot of confidence. I realised I could do hard things, like doing a degree through lockdowns in a pandemic.”

Kenna is wrapping up the final year of a University of Waikato sport development and coaching degree, with a minor in community health. Next year, she aims to complete a master’s degree and the following year is tagged for her secondary teaching diploma.

"I can't wait to make a difference"

The planned master’s degree is all about enhancing Kenna’s teaching skills.

Before she becomes a teacher, she wants to understand why young people don’t engage in physical education, so she can help encourage change.

Even as she arms herself with qualifications and knowledge, Kenna is clear about the kind of teacher she wants to be.

“I want to inspire people to maybe do the things they didn’t know they could do. I want to teach them to be people who are confident in themselves, who will take the extra step to do something better.

“I’d love to go back to my old school, Rosehill College, and I’d love to teach that same outdoor education programme because I know it works. Or be in another school in a lower socio-economic area.

“I can’t wait to help other people. I can’t wait to make a difference.”

A form of courage

As a young teenager, Noah Jones did not like school.

In fact, if it wasn’t for teacher Hone Heke Rankin, he would have dropped out of college early on. He certainly wouldn’t be working his way through a Māori studies university degree with a double major in psychology.

“I never thought I would be a university student,” Noah says, at the end of his first year. “I just didn’t think I was capable of that. I have a learning disability so school was hard for me but my teacher gave me the confidence I can do it if I commit to it.”

Noah traces his attitude change to the arrival of a new te reo Māori teacher when he was a year nine student at an all-boys school on Auckland’s North Shore.

“Before that, we had no real Māori cultural representation at the school. A few boys took Māori but no one really cared about it. Matua Rankin came in and set up the kapa haka group and set up a safe place in his classroom for boys to come in and connect with each other, share a bond.

“It made a huge difference to me, having a place in school where you know you’re represented. A place where people have got your back.”

Noah says Hone made himself available before school, at lunchtimes and encouraged the boys to lift their performance in other areas of the school.

“He gave us a form of courage, gave us more faith in ourselves. He taught me self-confidence and respect. He taught me belief and respect in others. To not be shy of my culture but to embrace it.”

As he progressed through the years, Noah’s grades improved alongside his kapa haka skills and knowledge of te ao Māori. In year 13, he collected the prestigious headmaster’s prize at the school’s final assembly.

Now, he hopes to emulate his teacher and work with young people in classrooms or as a social worker. Or perhaps a combination of both.

“It’s just wanting to follow a role model, seeing the difference my teacher made. I could do that. I’m very interested in helping youth; I think they are very misrepresented and need people to fight for them, particularly Māori youth.”

Nominate a life-changer

Remember that one great teacher whose inspirational words still ring in your ears?

Or whose actions made you want to follow in their footsteps?

Tell us your compelling story and nominate your own special teacher for the national ‘Teachers: NZ’s Real Influencers’ competition as a way to say thanks for being so passionate in their role and pivotal in your life.

You could be featured in a Stuff article and video to tell your story about your inspiring teacher.

ENTRIES CLOSE SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER

NOMINATE NOW

Image credit: Ministry of Education

Help young people learn and thrive

Want to learn more about the best ways to enter this challenging and exceptionally rewarding career? Keen to share your knowledge and help future generations learn and thrive?

To find out more about teaching and the courses available, visit goteach.education.govt.nz