Daniel Hart

Daniel Hart was a high-performance athlete and lifeguard coach before he enrolled at university.

Representing New Zealand around the world surf lifesaving, while balancing his 9-5 job and role as Junior Head Coach of Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service, Daniel wanted a new career.

Supported by the TECT Tauranga Campus Returning Student Scholarship in his second year, and now working as a beginning teacher at Omanu Primary School, Daniel says a lot of his coaching skills transitioned well into teaching.

“It was encouraging to know that you can have a positive impact on so many lives, teaching valuable life skills and preparing the youth for the future.”

The early exposure to practicum from week one was a highlight.

“Being in the classroom supports the transfer of knowledge from theory to practice and actively using what we learn in the classroom helps solidify what we've been taught.”

The positive campus environment, great lecturers and accessible study locations were a bonus.