Subash Chander K - Secondary Teacher
Subash Chander K teaches intermediate students by day and runs YouTube channel “infinityplusone” by night. And in 2025, this work saw him named Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year and a top 10 finalist in the Global Teacher Prize.
Current job: Learning Designer, Ormiston Junior College; Owner, infinityplusone
Programme(s): Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics; Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)
“An educator is a changemaker, a dream-builder, and a lifelong learner. It's about lighting sparks, building confidence, and creating spaces where students feel safe to take risks.
“It's not just about preparing young people for exams; it’s about getting them ready for life. I'm always searching for that one question—the one that inspires a student to go beyond what I know.
“I started my academic career in engineering, but after working at Disneyworld during a summer break, something shifted. A small exchange helping a young person made me realise I loved helping people, especially young people. When I came back, I switched to a Mathematics degree and never looked back.
The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (GradDipTchg) was an amazing experience. It gave me the opportunity to observe teachers across different curriculum areas and get a glimpse into how they think and operate. That exposure really shaped my understanding of teaching beyond my own subject area.
“It also helped me later in my career, especially in learning how to adapt quickly to new situations and environments—something that's become an essential part of my journey as a teacher.
“I decided to teach secondary school because I believed I could help make the world a better place than I found it. While I currently teach Year 7 to 10 students, I also really enjoy working with Year 11 to 13 students through my online platform, infinityplusone . It’s rewarding to support young people at such a pivotal stage in their lives, both in and outside the classroom."
To me, an educator is a changemaker, a dream-builder, and a lifelong learner.
“One of the highlights of my time studying the GradDipTchg was working with Barbara Kensington-Miller and Judy Patterson. Barbara was my Fifth Form (Year 11) Maths teacher, so getting the chance to learn from her again - this time as a mentor and leader - was incredibly special. Being part of a programme under her guidance was not only nostalgic but also a powerful and inspiring learning experience.
“Self-management was something I really struggled with at first, and it wasn’t until the penultimate years of my degree that I began to develop the discipline and structure I needed to succeed. By the time I was doing the GradDipTchg, those lessons really paid off. My advice to new students would be simple: show up. Go to your lectures and tutorials, stay engaged, and never hesitate to ask questions. That consistency makes all the difference.
“When you start university remember that everyone learns differently! So, figure out your learning style, set goals that motivate you, and you’ll become unstoppable! Join clubs, study groups, and go to cultural events. Don’t underestimate the power of the networks you build - they’ll support you far beyond graduation.
“Being named Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year was incredibly humbling. While being named a Top 10 Finalist for the Global Teach Prize was both surreal and affirming. My work has never been about recognition - it is about impact. I feel proud, not just for myself, but for every teacher who is innovating quietly, day after day.
“If someone had told me that when I first started teaching I was going to be a multi award-winning teacher with a YouTube channel, I would have never believed them!
“Seeing my work going beyond the classroom and positively affect students from the Far North to the Deep South reminds me that small actions, like offering free tutorials and videos, can create ripples of change in students’ lives.”
