Awn San’s Inspiring Early Childhood Education Journey with NZTC

When Awn San arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2023, she brought with her a lifelong passion for supporting young children — a passion shaped by her upbringing, culture, and years of hands-on experience. Growing up in Myanmar, her family produced educational toys for preschools and children’s organisations. Surrounded by resources designed to nurture and inspire young learners, Awn naturally gravitated toward working with children. She spent years teaching Bible lessons to children under seven and later supported young learners as an English teacher.

Although she initially pursued a law degree with the dream of becoming a juvenile lawyer, the COVID-19 pandemic and political unrest in Myanmar forced her studies to stop during her third year. During this time, teaching became not only a source of stability but a deepening passion. Her interest in child development, learning, and psychology grew stronger, ultimately guiding her toward a career in early childhood education.

Moving to Aotearoa marked the beginning of a new chapter, Awn embraced life in a new country — though not without challenges. Cultural differences, unfamiliar learning styles, and adapting to new expectations felt overwhelming at times, but her first mentor, Natasha, played a significant role in helping her settle. Natasha patiently guided her through everything from centre policies to understanding children’s behaviour, modelling kindness, gentle teaching, and professionalism. Awn says this support shaped her deeply, inspiring her to one day become the same kind of warm, knowledgeable, and compassionate teacher.

When researching early childhood education qualifications in New Zealand, Awn was immediately drawn to New Zealand Tertiary College. Its strong reputation, flexible weekly start dates, and fast, helpful communication gave her confidence — especially as she was applying abroad without the support of an agent. She recalls Audrey Wang’s patient guidance and the reassurance it brought during a time of uncertainty. The ability to study online through NZTC Online was an additional benefit, allowing Awn to balance her personal life, wellbeing, and study in a manageable and meaningful way.

Practical experience has been one of the most valuable parts of Awn’s learning. She loves applying theory in real settings and believes that hands-on practice provides the richest opportunities for growth. Her favourite course so far has been the Infant and Toddler paper, which reinforced a lesson that has stayed with her: every child, even the youngest, deserves respect. She feels this understanding has strengthened her teaching philosophy and deepened her commitment to responsive, respectful care.

As an international student working up to 20 hours a week, Awn has developed a steady rhythm that keeps her balanced. She studies in the evenings and during her free time, completing one page of an assessment each day and planning her reading and writing well ahead of deadlines. Her advice to other students juggling work and study is simple: take small, consistent steps, and trust the timeframes NZTC provides. With a good plan, she says, it is possible to succeed without sacrificing wellbeing.

Awn currently works alongside two other teachers in an early childhood centre, where each day is filled with meaningful routines and interactions. She helps prepare kai, sets up learning environments, supports sleep times, assists with planning, and, most importantly, builds relationships through play and responsive engagement. While she enjoys working with all age groups, infants and toddlers hold a special place in her heart. She loves observing their cues, supporting their emerging communication, and witnessing the remarkable changes that occur in their first years of life. Messy play and outdoor experiences are her favourites, as they allow children to explore freely and learn through sensory discovery.

Looking ahead, Awn hopes to become a warm, caring, fully qualified teacher who builds strong relationships with children, their whānau, and her colleagues. She is excited to continue growing her skills in intentional teaching, planning, and professionalism. After attending workplace training, she has also developed a growing interest in supporting autistic children and hopes to study this area further in the future.

Reflecting on her journey so far, Awn expresses deep gratitude for the support she has received from both NZTC and her workplace. Their guidance has helped her grow personally and professionally, and she remains committed to giving her very best to the children in her care. Her journey from Myanmar to Aotearoa is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of education — and she looks forward to the many opportunities still ahead.