Friday 20 May 2022 5:14pm
Experiences on the football field influenced Jenna Reddy’s off-field decision to return to Otago to study teaching.
Jenna, who graduated with a Master of Teaching and Learning on 14 May, grew up in Lower Hutt, Wellington, and moved to Dunedin in 2014 after attending Hutt Valley High.
“I really wanted to study Physical Education as well as Clothing and Textile Sciences, and Otago was the only University to offer both these specific programmes. The second reason was I wanted to move away from home, like most students heading to Otago did!”
Jenna says Otago Schools’ Liaison Officer Prajesh Chhanabhai’s course guidance was also a factor, and she appreciated his continued support throughout her University experience.
Jenna and Pacific student support staff and former colleagues
Her hard work paid off, and in 2018 she graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education (majoring in Exercise Prescription and Health) and a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Clothing and Textiles Sciences). After graduating she worked full-time in a customer service role for Ask Otago, then at ACC in Dunedin as a Treatment and Support Assessor before returning to Otago for a role with Va'a o Tautai.
Jenna is proud of her New Zealand and Fijian heritage and saw work at Va'a o Tautai as an opportunity to help Pacific students studying in health professional programmes.
“I vividly remember the day I had my interview – I walked into the office and all I can say is that it felt like a warm hug. The work environment was nothing but supportive, caring and homely. I loved every aspect of this role, working with an incredible team who focussed on providing the best support for our students. I learned how to help Pacific students in their studies, but the incredible staff helped me too. I grew up with minimal connection to my Pacific roots, but they helped me grow and develop a true connection to my own Pacific heritage, to grow a true appreciation for where I come from. My time and experience at Va'a o Tautai showed me the importance and significance that culture can have for students in their studies.”
Jenna has taken this into her teaching, and she strives to create a classroom where ākonga can be “their true selves, a space where they feel their culture is not only accepted but embraced and included in every aspect of their learning.”
Jenna playing representative football
Balancing playing football and full-time work was a motivating factor in her decision to study teaching.
“My commitments meant I couldn’t continue my lifelong interest in coaching junior-level club and representative football and I really missed that time with the kids. Eventually, I put two and two together and explored the idea of becoming a primary school teacher. My mother is also a teacher, so there truly was no way I could escape it!”
Jenna says the master's programme was busy, challenging and extremely rewarding.
“Due to the practical nature of the programme, everything we learned was or could be applied in the classroom. Although we had a large workload, I used my time management skills and the long hours of studying and planning were worth it, especially when the kids you teach make progress in their learning, big or small, any achievement, improvement or accomplishment is worth celebrating. You just can't wipe the smile off their little faces when they experience that lightbulb moment!”
Jenna is now a year 3 - 4 teacher at Maungaraki School in Lower Hutt, Wellington.
Jenna and members of her cohort
“The team are really supportive, and I am absolutely loving every single second of it. We celebrate and learn about each other's cultures in the classroom, recently we have learnt about the Holi Festival and Ramadan. The kids also know that the Pacific language weeks are coming up so they are all very eager to learn about the different Pacific languages, learning different cultural songs, greetings, colours and numbers too.”
Jenna teaches PE as part of the primary curriculum, and says her background in Football and Futsal, and undergraduate studies are a big help. Outside of teaching, she is focussing on playing Futsal and Football and is holding off on coaching at local clubs this year.
“However, when Football and Futsal begin at school, you will definitely be seeing me standing alongside those teams at school competitions as a coach, there's no doubt about that - right now at lunch time you'll find me on the field playing footy with the kids too!”
About Va'a o Tautai
The service’s name refers to Va’a, the double-hulled waka, and tautai, the skilled Pacific navigators. Va'a o Tautai is led by Faumuina Professor Fa'afetai Sopoaga. It provides a range of academic programmes and support for Pacific students, leads the way in relation to Pacific health teaching and research, and provides strategic leadership for Pacific developments and regional engagement for the Division of Health Sciences.