Meet Awn San — an aspiring early childhood teacher whose journey from Myanmar to Aotearoa is filled with courage, kindness, and a deep respect for every child’s potential.

When Jacinta (Cinta) Hirst welcomed her daughter into the world during the 2020 lockdown, she had no idea the experience would spark a life-changing passion for early childhood education.

Reduced fees help Joanne turn her passion for early childhood education into reality.

She has been able to study toward her Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) with confidence and renewed motivation. 

A Journey Rooted in Early Childhood Passion.

From her earliest memories of a kind and caring preschool teacher named Diana, Angela Lunam knew she wanted to one day offer the same sense of comfort, belonging, and confidence to tamariki in Aotearoa.

NZTC student Mikhaela Cruz finds her calling in Early Childhood Education.

Originally from Manila, now living in New Zealand, she is on a dedicated journey to becoming a fully qualified early childhood teacher.

When Sheryl arrived in New Zealand from the Philippines in 2023, she brought with her nearly two decades of passion for early childhood education — and a dream to continue shaping young minds in her new home.

Now an NZTC graduate and practicing as an early childhood teacher, Sheetal Bhatt credits her upbringing—and especially the example set by her mother—for inspiring her to pursue a career in education. 

From the bustling tech world to the nurturing heart of early childhood education, Kaiako Aileen Eboña Pacia - Marasigan’s journey is one of courage, transformation, and unwavering purpose.

Balancing work, study, and whānau, Faith has grown into a confident kaiako, committed to nurturing tamariki and creating inclusive learning spaces.