As it’s turned out, EIT graduate Brook Forman’s first teaching job is at his former school, Porritt Primary School in Napier.

Graduating this week, Brook undertook practicums elsewhere in Hawke’s Bay while studying for EIT’s Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) – at Mahora, Maraekakaho, Hastings Intermediate, Greenmeadows Primary and Westshore schools.

So it’s by chance that he’s now back at his Tamatea school.  The 25-year-old is finding his former teachers are adjusting in welcoming him back, not as an ex-pupil but as a colleague.  

A few months into the job, he is enjoying getting to know his class of Year 2 students. 

“Teaching wasn’t my first choice of career,” he says, “but it’s turned out to be the right one.  

“Initially I went to Palmerston North to study a course in graphic design but I found it wasn’t for me.  When you leave school, you’re expected to have an idea of what you want to do and are under pressure to go off to university.  But you can end up making hasty decisions that don’t always work out.”

Brook returned to Napier and in 2013 he volunteered at Porritt Primary School to see if teaching was what he wanted to do.

“I didn’t want to waste money on study fees again.  But I realised teaching was for me and was accepted into EIT’s degree programme the following year.”

In the programme’s second intake, he says the degree’s practice-based structure – the initiative spearheaded by a group of Hawke’s Bay principals – is “a brilliant concept”.   Spending two days at EIT, two days out in a classroom and having one day for independent study proved a good balance.

“You’re not just learning the theory, you are also interacting with pupils face to face.  Dealing with the problems you come up against in teaching can be frustrating but you’ve got to work through them and the different strategies you learn at EIT help you do that.”

Brook says it’s also a plus studying the degree locally while networking with various schools in the region.

“You have a better chance of securing a teaching position because the principals know you and your capabilities.  Porritt Primary School is one of the participating schools.”

Brook aims to further develop his skills in teaching mathematics and says that may involve graduate studies. 

“I have a passion for maths although I struggled with the subject when I was at primary school.  As a result of that, I can empathise with pupils who struggle.”

Eventually he hopes to gain further experience by travelling overseas but his focus for the next two years will be on gaining his teacher registration.

Looking forward to graduation, he says his mother, older brother and younger sister will be at the traditional ceremony – “I can’t wait”.

“My three years studying at EIT went by really quickly.  Starting the degree, you think it’s going to take a long time before you finish.  My advice to others is not to choose a career direction based solely on what you might earn.  If you’re not happy, then what’s the point?”