Campbell Tito

Campbell’s journey into early childhood education is one of transformation, passion, and dedication. While working at a car yard, Campbell longed for a career in education but wasn’t sure how to begin. Finding a full-time teacher-in-training position was the catalyst for change—allowing her to pursue a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) while working full-time.

Born in New Zealand and having spent some time in Australia as a child, Campbell is now back home in Tauranga. She chose to study with New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) due to its flexibility, which enabled her to balance work and study without sacrificing her full-time role in early childhood education.

“The flexibility to be able to study full-time online but still work full-time in ECE was huge for me,” she shares. “NZTC offering fully online courses was very exciting.”

For Campbell, the Bachelor’s degree leading toward New Zealand Teacher Registration was a key factor in her decision-making. Studying through NZTC Online has provided the independence she values, giving her the freedom to structure her learning around her personal and professional life.

“I enjoy studying online. It gives me the freedom to plan my study for when it suits me best and means I don’t need to attend lots of face-to-face lectures or Zoom meetings,” she explains.

Balancing a full-time job with academic commitments isn’t easy, but Campbell has found that maintaining a structured schedule helps her achieve a good work-life-study balance. She advises others navigating similar challenges: “Don’t let your studies take over your entire life—it doesn’t have to.”

Reflecting on her studies, Campbell highlights "The Authentic Leader" as her favourite postgraduate course, which deepened her understanding of leadership and teaching styles while allowing her to explore her own authenticity. Among her lecturers, Chloe Wadams stands out—her kindness, passion, and dedication to both her role and her students inspire Campbell.

With nearly four years of experience in early childhood education, Campbell has worked with both under-twos and older age groups. “I really love both age groups and struggle to choose a ‘favourite age’ when people ask!” she admits.

Looking ahead, Campbell is already halfway through her Postgraduate Diploma in Education and has her sights set on tertiary lecturing in the future—a path that will allow her to mentor and inspire the next generation of educators.

Her journey proves that with determination and the right opportunities, career dreams can become reality—no matter where you start.