Kirti Raju - Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
She knows it sounds cliché, but Kirti Raju has wanted to be a teacher since she was a child.
Inspired in part by her Mum and Nani (Grandmother) – both teachers, and with her mum receiving her teaching degree from the University of Auckland (UoA), Kirti knew it was the right place for her.
“I always looked up to my Mum, and my 10-year-old self thought that teaching was the coolest job ever!”
Kirti is in her final year of the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary (BEd), a highly practical, three-year programme which prepares students to teach primary and intermediate aged tamariki.
One huge highlight is all the teaching staff I have met throughout this programme. Every person I have met has been extremely helpful, kind and understanding. The lecturers all have incredible life stories and experiences that shape their unique way of teaching.
Kirti has been particularly impressed with how tikanga Māori is woven throughout each of the different courses within the programme.
“It has been interesting to see how my lecturers use Te ao Māori and tikanga to enhance our learning. Which is also a great example of how we can do this in our own classrooms as teachers.”
The BEd includes at least 120 days of practical experience. Kirti admits that the first time she walked into her practicum classroom, it was pretty terrifying.
“But once I got over the nerves, I was completely stoked to be in there. At first, I would help my Associate Teacher (AT) with anything she needed while being an extra teacher to the students - helping them with things like establish routines and behaviour management.
“The further along you get, the more control you start to take. Through observing my AT, I began to pick up on different techniques to use when I began teaching. It’s a lot of thinking on your feet, but it is always nice to know that your AT is there to help in case you need it.”
While Kirti has come up against some obstacles throughout her study, she found the easiest way to get through these was to be transparent with her lecturers about what she was struggling with.
Studying education has been incredibly rewarding. I can’t imagine anything better than this.
“No matter the issue there is always someone at the university who can help. If I ever had any problems that weren’t about specific classes or assignments, I would go to the Student Support team. All the staff there are incredibly patient and understanding and they always know what to do or who to email to help sort out any problems.”
Kirti hasn’t fully decided what she wants to do after graduating at the end of the year, but she’s happy with the options ahead of her.
“I either want to continue with postgraduate study in education or I will look out for a full-time position at a Primary School. If I continue with my postgrad I would love to do relief work at a Primary School as well.”
Her advice to those thinking about becoming a teacher: Do it!
“Although I have been wanting to do this since I was a kid, I was still a bit unsure. However I am so thankful I did it because these past three years have been amazing, and I have created memories and bonds that I will cherish forever.
“Studying education has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing the smiles on my students’ faces, seeing them progress in their learning and building those relationships has been an incredible feeling. I can’t imagine anything better than this.”