[Lupin]

I have seen this posted often on the forum.

I suspected before I arrived that it had something to do with diet, but having seen what Kiwis eat, that doesn't seem likely - just as much fast food junk available here as anywhere.

Does anyone involved in schools have any ideas as to how it happens?

Some possibilities I've thought of:-

The teachers are better.
The parents are better.
The school set up (administration) is better.
The TV is so bad that kids don't watch as much.

I really can't tell if any or none of these is true, but the whole thing has become a puzzle to me. :confused:


Lol, it really can't be diet ... these kids are raised on lamingtons, pineapple lumps and pies!!!

I doubt the teachers are better per se, but I suspect they're less frustrated, burnt out and restricted than their UK counterparts. I think the NZ education system places more emphasis on the 'whole child' so perhaps children are less frustrated or perhaps the system better suits children who struggle in UK schools. I don't know really :p

[Carol]

I doubt the teachers are better per se, but I suspect they're less frustrated, burnt out and restricted than their UK counterparts. :p

hmmmm burn out rates ARE high here.....but have no figures to compare directly.
It happened to me personally so I know more about it than most.




I think the BIG difference here is expectations.
About themselves and about respecting others.
When the expectations are high - the kids rise to it.
They are respected (generally) and they give it in return.

Fairly simple equaton really!

[CjChris]

I do worry that burnout is a huge problem (and cause of teacher shortage) in NZ.

I'm pretty much in burnout mode here in the US after being in the secondary system for over 12 years. I'm just so tired of red tape, standardized tests, lack of admin and parental support when students are lazy or disruptive....or cheat (why, oh, why, is blatant plagiarism not always grounds for suspension??)

I am registered with the NZ teachers council, but frankly, I'm not sure I want to teach in NZ. I'd like to think the system is better from what I've experienced here (mind you, this is my experience, not necessarily indicative of all of US, just here in three school systems where I've worked). I'd would love to teach in NZ and experience things the way all teachers envision it should be: students who are polite and respectful, students who are attentive and eager to learn, suportive admin and parents, etc.

I hope more NZ teachers post here so that we can get a fuller view of what it is like to be in the trenches. Thanks to those of you who have already added your experience to this thread :clap

[swissmissdesigner]

CjCris: "Auskiwi" has posted about teaching in NZ. www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11476

[CjChris]

CjCris: "Auskiwi" has posted about teaching in NZ. www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11476

Thank you! I'd either missed or forgotten that thread. Auskiwi certainly had a rough go of it teaching in NZ.

I'm not looking for reasons NOT to teach, but I think my internal dread of more of what I've had in the US (or worse) is something I should listen to.

Fortunately, I've had great success as a teacher, and I would probably do just fine in NZ, but more than anything, I'm tired of the juggling act it requires. I don't want to go through what Auskiwi did. I wonder how typical her experience is?

Since we got PR, I've been searching for something other than teaching for which my masters in English will come in handy (while also keeping an eye on education gazette). So far, only a few leads.

It's a hard one to figure out....but my final conclusion is that it will be more than a little bit exhausting going into a new country to face classrooms full of teenagers!!
:(

[Carol]

It has taken me a wee while but I have finally come to the conclusion that my love affair with teaching has ended.
It was a fairy tale romance.... worked up from the gutter to get my qualification and enjoyed it immensely while I was teaching. Much more so in NZ than in the UK.
But eventually (18 years on) it is over. Even good things come to an end.
I desperately want to be doing something else....

I was at a party last night with a number of my past pupils' parents there.
It was lovely to be told a number of times, that I had made a huge difference to their children and they still talk about me as a teacher.
But it didn't change my mind about my new direction......

Now I just have to decide what I am going to do!

That said - I wouldn't have missed the opportunity to teach here in NZ for anything.
It has been a huge learning curve for me, challenged me and moved me into new areas I would never have dreamed about.
I would definitely give it a go as a teacher coming in....choose your school carefully though.

:D