Rosanjela Dias
Name: Rosanjela Dias
Qualification: Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Originally a high school languages teacher, Rosanjela Dias made the decision to pursue further studies in early childhood education and hasn’t looked back since.
“I was a teacher in Sri Lanka and always wanted to be a teacher in a different field with a different approach. It was easy for me to study at NZTC since it specialises in early childhood education.”
Dias appreciated the flexible approach to the NZTC program, allowing her to fit work commitments around study. She completed the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 6) in 2016 and took some time off study, before graduating with a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) in 2019.
The now fully registered teacher has been working at a privately-owned ECE centre in Auckland’s North Shore for five years. She is currently the team leader in the babies and toddlers room and finds the work very rewarding.
“I love working with babies. It’s a stage when most of their learning and development happens, so a highlight for me is seeing them reach those milestones.”
Dias says her studies with NZTC, combining a balance of theory and practical experience, have been invaluable for her career.
“My studies gave me thorough theoretical knowledge when it comes to documenting the learning and applying these in the professional practice at the centre. All the theories gave me so much understanding about children’s development, like why this is happening.”
Dias feels privileged to be working in the early childhood sector alongside a great team and says the centre she works at is based on the Reggio Emilia approach which fits in well with her style of teaching, involving parent partnership.
A highlight for Dias in her role as team leader is working alongside the local community and parents at her centre. She believes this collaboration between teacher and whanau is highly important for children’s education.
“I love working with the parents and they are so involved in the child's learning and development. We have an online portal where we include the parents in meaningful conversation. It’s linked in with the current teachers so parents are also taking part in their child’s learning, they know what the child has been doing and how they can support them.”
Her advice for those also considering a career change to early childhood is simply one word – passion.
“ECE is a fabulous field where you not only work, but learn and enjoy. But you must have the passion for the work that's needed.”
Looking ahead, Dias has her eyes set on a management position and plans to reach her goals by studying NZTC’s Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Leadership and Management).
“Now I’m trying to juggle being a parent, so studying online with NZTC will be the best option for me.”