Niuean graduand blazes a trail for her children

Monday, 21 May 2007

Niuean graduand blazes a trail for her children – and mother-in-law

Charlotte Niuia-Tofa and her husband sat down and made a plan in 2001 to both earn a tertiary qualification so they could ensure a positive financial future for themselves and their three children, 8, 10 and 13 years old.

They encouraged each other and kept their promise. While her husband graduated from MIT with a Diploma of Social and Community Work in 2003, Charlotte is graduating from the institute this month with a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood Education.

“My husband spoke highly of the support he received from his lecturers and this made me look into MIT,” says the Manurewa resident. “The Early Childhood course is field based and I found work in a centre near my children so it all fitted in which was such a bonus. Being based in a centre means you are immediately putting what you learn into practice and can turn right around and take any problems back to MIT.

“The team of Early Childhood lecturers are so dedicated and passionate about how important children are. Their wealth of knowledge has really helped me grow as a teacher.”

Charlotte is enjoying her work so much that she has signed up for MIT's Early Childhood degree which starts in July this year.

"I’ve been in New Zealand since I was two but I feel very proud of this achievement as a Niuean. I’m also very proud to be such a positive role model for my own children and it’s already paying off – last year all three of them won top academic awards at school. And the positive experiences my husband and I have had at MIT have now encouraged my husband’s mother to enrol in the introductory course in Social and Community work.”

Bishop Hans Key leads Charlotte's congregation at Clendon ward's Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and acknowledges that her graduation is a milestone for her family.

"Charlotte has always shown determination and pursued excellence at church and in her education. Some of her other talents are a love of music and athletics. With these talents, I believe Charlotte has chosen the right tune in pursuing a teaching career and has finished her race with completion of her diploma. I wish Charlotte the very best as she approaches her degree and hope her story of endurance and success will motivate others to do likewise."

Charlotte will graduate at MIT’s formal Graduate Ceremony on Tuesday, 29 May at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre.

ENDS

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