Name: Cloyd D’Mello
NZTC qualification: Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)
Current role: Teacher at Pukeko’s Preschool, Auckland
Best thing about studying at NZTC: The liberty to study when and wherever I want without distractions!
Biggest achievement: Being 100% ‘work ready’
Seeking a challenge
Cloyd D’Mello had enjoyed a brief stint of teaching instruments to primary school children, and knew he was after a long-term career that would involve a high level of interaction with people.
After meeting with a New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) marketing representative in India, he was convinced that working with younger children as an early childhood teacher in New Zealand was the right path. The decision was made all the easier by the fact his partner, Natasha, had already moved to the country to study at NZTC several months earlier.
“I was intrigued to hear about the method of early childhood education in New Zealand, a play based curriculum,” explains Cloyd. “It was so different to anything I had heard and I liked that. Knowing that the qualifications were approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority gave me further confidence in choosing NZTC.”
A new pace of life
Cloyd joined Natasha in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, where both were amazed by the unhurried, relaxed pace of life. Cloyd felt immediately welcome at the College, with traditional Māori welcomes and tours of the city to experience.
Studying when it suits
He admits he was quite sceptical about learning online, because he’d never heard of it in India, “but as I interacted with lecturers, asked questions, I found it the most convenient way to study,” he says. “It saved me the trouble of coming to College every day - I knew I could just flick an email and find out what to do. I studied whenever I wanted, from the comfort of my home. You don’t have people distracting you!”
Highly relevant theory
By his second practicum in a local early childhood centre, Cloyd was sure he had chosen the right field for him. It was here that a paper he was studying on positive child guidance really resonated with him. “The paper emphasized the importance of being mindful in how we speak to children, not barking out ‘no’ all the time, and imparting positive and respectful attitudes on children. This impacted me big time.”
Hired on the spot
He says the strong practical component of the program prepared him to step into his current role at Pukeko’s Preschool in the South Auckland suburb of Mangere – a position he was actually offered on the spot at his interview.
Calling New Zealand home
Cloyd and Natasha applied to the New Zealand Teachers Council for teacher’s registration earlier in the year and were successfully granted provisional registration. In May, they gained permanent residency in New Zealand, a process which only took two short months. “I’m really enjoying myself right now,” he says, “I found the pace of life very slow to begin with but I think it agrees with me; it’s less stress. It’s nice after a day at work to go straight home and get the whole evening to myself to spend with Natasha and friends.”
A career with rewards
Cloyd has no regrets about his decision to further his career: “I have a job where I get to spend time with children and see them learning, growing and experimenting with new things. I look forward to what every new day will bring.”
If you want to start or advance your career in early childhood education in New Zealand, please call one of our friendly team members on (09) 520 4000 or eMail us today.