From engineering to education for high school teacher

Open Polytechnic’s Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Technology Education) has helped Thomas Schaare change career from the trades to teaching.

From engineering to education for high school teacher 

The 29-year-old is a qualified Light Fabrication Engineer but decided to fulfil his high school dream of becoming a teacher.

Before studying with Open Polytechnic, Thomas worked at New Plymouth Boys’ High School (NPBHS) in technology and as a hockey coach, but had a Limited Authority to Teach, with the idea for him to become a fully qualified teacher one day. 

Thomas’s practical trade background, coupled with the theory and learning from the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Technology Education) have helped him gain the role of Metal Technology and Woodwork Teacher – Dean of House 1 since graduating. 

The benefit of online flexible learning

Thomas began his part-time study through Open Polytechnic in 2023, with flexible online learning allowing him to study while continuing to work at the school.

Living a busy life meant early mornings and late nights were the only times Thomas had to work his way through the course materials and assessments. 

“I decided to study with Open Polytechnic due to the style of course they offered,” Thomas says.

“Learning online suited my schedule and life, as teaching and coaching hockey took a lot of my time during the day.” 

“Having the ability to study around my work commitments made a significant difference in the quality of the programme for myself.” 

The practical side of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Technology Education)

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Technology Education) opened Thomas’s eyes to the theoretical side of teaching and learning.
 
“It provided me with the knowledge required to successfully engage students within the classroom and achieve the best possible engagement with students,” he says. 

The theory of learning and understanding how students’ brains develop and learn has been the most practical for Thomas. 

He found neurodiversity and having the ability to adapt his teaching to all students’ learning needs was enjoyable to study. 

“The neuroscience aspect of the course was very informative and helped me to develop my teaching philosophy,” Thomas says. 

“Knowing the scientific evidence and studying student development has made a positive impact on my teaching.” 

Learning about Te Tiriti o Waitangi was also a highlight for Thomas.

“Having a deep understanding of the impact and implications of our country’s history has opened my eyes to the reality that a lot of our students in Aotearoa face,” Thomas says.

A promotion for Thomas

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Technology Education) has allowed Thomas to become a qualified teacher and get onto the trained teachers’ pay scale.

He has since been appointed as a Dean of House at NPBHS and is part of the pastoral team within the school.
 
Thomas is now completing his two years of teacher registration.

Open Polytechnic resources

According to Thomas, the support offered by Open Polytechnic was of the highest quality.
 
“My course leaders were always happy to chat and help answer any questions that I may have had,” he said.
 
“The online booking system for one-on-one chats with the academic staff allowed me to book times that suited myself and worked around my schedule."

Encouraging others to study at Open Polytechnic

Thomas thinks that while studying when working can be tough, it can be overcome by making sure that learners have good routines and set times to complete their study.
 
“Be prepared to knuckle down and do the work,” Thomas says.
 
“It was a learning experience for the first six months but once I developed solid routines it became easier to manage.”
 
Thomas would highly recommend Open Polytechnic to anyone who wants to study while working.
 
“One of my colleagues is now studying the same course that I have completed,” Thomas says.