David Mos - Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

Earning a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) has enabled David Mos to make a positive difference within his local community.

“I’m the only male teacher at my centre and my colleagues as well as parents have been extremely receptive of my presence and of the skills I bring into the learning environment,” David said.

“Men are a vital ingredient for all ECE environments - the combined knowledge of men and women supports each and every child to reach their full potential."

Winner of NZTC’s 2019 Values Award, David was recognised as a student who embodies the college values of Vision, Heart, Competence and Spirit.

“I’ve found that every day at work is rewarding in some way, shape or form. There is always room to improve, and I often find the children get me thinking about things I hadn’t ever stopped to consider before,” he said.

David saw his first foray into early childhood teaching beginning with the birth of his son Nicholas and refined further when his daughter Jodie was born.

“I wanted to learn, inquire and make new discoveries everyday just like them. This is when I realised that early childhood teaching was for me,” David said.

With NZTC coursework introducing him to the ECE curriculum and new concepts, David credits the practical component of the program for enabling him to develop and understand his teaching practice.

“I’ve been able to bring my theoretical knowledge and understanding to life in ways that are responsive to children's strengths, interests, abilities and needs,” he said.

David’s decision to become an ECE teacher has also changed his family life substantially. His daughter joins him at work each day and one day each week he finishes work early to pick his son up from school.

“No longer am I working long irregular hours. I now have consistent working hours each week. I’ve been able to eliminate commuting from my life, but the change I personally enjoy most is I have a lot more time each day to spend with my own children,” David said.

Looking forward, David hopes that his relationships between himself and all members of the learning community exude whanaungatanga.

“I want my centre to be a place where everyone feels they belong and are valued for who they are. I can’t believe how far I’ve come in such a short time, yet I recognise there is still so far to go in my own early childhood education experience.”