Robin Burns

Canadian
Primary teacher

Two job offers for Robin within a week of arriving in New Zealand contrasted sharply with the employment prospects she and other new graduate teachers in Canada were facing in 2005.

“In British Columbia it was really difficult to find full-time teaching positions or even relieving positions.  In fact I felt lucky to be one of the ten people out of 300 applicants to secure relief teaching,” Robin remembers.

Before coming to New Zealand, Robin kept in close contact with friends living here and they kept sending teaching vacancy listings from the Education Gazette for her to consider!  She also realised through researching information about living and teaching in New Zealand that many similarities in culture and school curriculum existed between Canada and New Zealand.

Now in her second year at an Auckland school where the staff and students represent a wide range of ethnicities, Robin is loving her experience in New Zealand.

“Initially I had only planned on being here for a short time, but I’m really enjoying the Auckland city life, the kind, supportive staff and wonderful friends I’ve made, and subsequently have decided to stay longer than originally intended, “says Robin. 

This year Robin is a year 7 classroom teacher and has the additional responsibility of being in charge of sports and ordering equipment which she also enjoys.

“As a new overseas teacher I’ve found the large emphasis on collaborative planning and teamwork within year levels particularly supportive and helpful.  In Canada there’s not the same emphasis on working as part of a team.”

“It has also helped that the New Zealand curriculum is quite easy to follow and allows for teacher autonomy. The major difference is that Canadian provinces all have their own separate curriculum whereas New Zealand’s is a national one.”

In the weekends Robin loves being able to travel a few hours out of Auckland to the most beautiful remote places.  “New Zealand is a fabulous country for anyone who loves the outdoors.  There are so many activities to enjoy – bush walks, kayaking, wind surfing, mountain biking, white water rafting – just to mention a few.”

“If you’re thinking seriously of coming to teach in New Zealand, my only advice is to sort out the qualifications assessment and registration and apply for a work visa or permit beforehand.”