Falefatu Enari

Primary Teacher

“Teaching is a great career. It’s so flexible. Depending on other commitments, teachers have options to work full time, part time or in a relieving capacity. It’s also possible to take periods of time out to achieve other goals. It’s great.”

Falefatu is from Western Samoa and says that his culture instilled an instinct for enjoying and teaching younger children. Great experience in his own schooling, a fantastic Christian upbringing and his teaching instinct led Falefatu into teaching.

“Teaching enables you to hold on to important values. Seeing things from children’s point of view ensures that you keep your perspective. Men can too easily lose sight of what is really important in life.”

He attended Waikato College of Education completing a four-year joint degree. “I then taught for eleven years, mostly in Maori bilingual units.”

In his eleven year teaching Falefatu has taught all ages from new entrants to intermediate level. Falefatu enjoys teaching all subjects to children, especially sports. “At Wesley College, which I attended as a student we were encouraged to try all sports. I loved cross country, rugby, volleyball-anything! I love encouraging kids to enjoy the outdoors and sports.”

At the same time as his teaching career started Falefatu became interested in an internet-based business. He has worked part-time in this interactive distribution business, which links manufacturers to consumers, throughout his eleven years in teaching. Recently the business reached a point where it has substituted his teaching income. “I left full-time teaching this term to concentrate on developing the business further. I’m lucky I can do relieving teaching. It’s a real blessing to be able to continue teaching part-time.”

Many men are looking for causes. Teaching is one way for them to make a real difference. There is huge need for men in teaching. All children need positive male role models. This is a emergency situation, especially for Pasifika children”.

If I wasn’t working with children I would be a more serious sort of person. You are who you associate with most. Children help you to keep that wonder and child-like enjoyment of life.