Samantha Hansen

Name: Samantha Hansen

Qualification: Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

Despite representing New Zealand in weightlifting and having a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise degree, Samantha Hansen is excited to step up to a new challenge in early childhood.

“I have always had a passion for working with young tamariki, and worked as a nanny for five years for a beautiful family in my hometown.

“I cared for their three children all from the tender age of four weeks, right until the oldest started school. I thoroughly enjoyed being such a huge part of their early years, and this inspired me to turn my passion for tamariki into a career.”

Samantha Hansen

With a hefty weightlifting training regime of six times a week, the 22-year-old finds balancing sport, study and work an achievable challenge thanks to good time management and support from those around her.

The Blended Learning mode offered by NZTC appealed to Hansen, allowing her to manage her busy schedule.

“I would consider myself a very efficient time manager as I have had to be extremely organised and routine based since I started competing nationally and internationally in weightlifting in high school.

“I have found studying with NZTC Online virtually seamless. The e-learning format provides a great source of information and learning resources that are simple to access, as well as an easy way to stay in touch with other students and lecturers.”

Hansen finds keeping up to date with the NZTC Online discussion forums “incredibly beneficial” to her learning. “Other students may ask questions I haven’t asked yet or have ideas I haven’t thought of. It really increases my level of critical thinking when it comes to approaching assignments and working in the centre.”

As a hands-on-learner, Hansen has found her Field Experience under the mentorship of experienced teachers invaluable.

“Learning from the other kaiako at my home centre, Future Focus – The Bach, has been invaluable. They bring amazing energy and enthusiasm to their work and learning from their experience has already helped me grow so much.”

She is keen to continue learning the principles of Te Whāriki and how to provide the best learning environments for young children.

“I just genuinely love learning more and more each day about tamariki and how I can help in their overall growth and development. There is nothing more rewarding than getting to be a part of a child’s early years and seeing them achieve milestone after milestone.“