Ko au tenei

                         Tena koutou Katoa  

                          Ko Taranaki te maunga  

                         Ko Kaupokunui te awa  

                         Kei Hawera ahau e noho ana  

                         Ko Thennakoon te whanau  

                         Ko Nilmini toku ingoa  

                         Ma te kimi ka kite, Ma te kite ka mohio,  

                         Ma te mohio ka marama.  

                         No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou Katoa 

Kia Ora, I'm Nilmini Thennakoon, and I'm delighted to introduce myself. I'm currently in my first year at the University of Waikato. Originally from Sri Lanka, I've called New Zealand home for almost 12 years now. During the day, I work as a Learning Assistant at a secondary school in Hawera. When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time on our family farm with my husband and our three wonderful children. Our two sons are attending primary school, while our lovely 4-year-old daughter is enjoying her time at kindergarten. My husband is deeply involved in the dairy farm sector as a businessman. In my free time, I love to immerse myself in books, tend to our garden, experiment with new recipes in the kitchen, and most importantly, create beautiful memories with my children. I'm filled with anticipation about the journey ahead, and I'm eagerly looking forward to realizing my dream of becoming a remarkable teacher.

                             Beliefs about teaching and learning     

In a student's school life, teachers hold a revered and significant position. Their impact is lasting and influential. I have distinct memories of all the teachers who played a part in shaping my educational journey. However, the ones that stand out the most are the caring, compassionate, and kind teachers who left a positive mark on me. Their guidance and support have had a lasting impact on my life. Teachers are the most remembered people in a student's school life.

Teaching means engaging with the professional practice of teaching in context (educational setting), constructing new knowledge, and coming to understand new practices through lenses of existing beliefs while at the same time having those beliefs about teaching. (Hill.M, Thrupp,M(2019) The professional practice of teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand (6th ed) (p.1) 

As a child, I was captivated by the idea of becoming a teacher, inspired by the dedicated educators who taught me. I vividly remember spending hours playing make-believe as a teacher, imparting knowledge to my stuffed animals. With a burning ambition to become an English teacher in Sri Lanka, I dedicated myself to my studies. However, my aspirations were put on hold when I had to leave my home country and relocate to New Zealand with my husband. Despite this significant change, I refused to abandon my dream. Shortly after arriving in New Zealand, I eagerly sought out opportunities to contribute to education by volunteering as a teacher aide at a local primary school. The experience I gained in this role, along with my time as a learning assistant, solidified my determination to pursue a career in teaching. Even though I currently serve as a learning assistant at my school, the heartfelt praise from my students, such as "You are my favorite teacher," continually fuels my passion and reaffirms my commitment to realizing my dream of becoming a fully qualified teacher. 

Skills

• I take great pleasure in fostering deep and meaningful connections with children by actively listening to them, engaging in heartfelt conversations, and offering genuine praise. Additionally, I eagerly embrace the opportunity to join in their board games or outdoor activities and become a supportive play companion. 

• I have the ability to inspire students to engage in their learning activities through the use of incentives, providing assistance, delivering clear instructions, and demonstrating the tasks. 

• I am confident in my abilities and believe in my capacity to succeed 

• I have a genuine eagerness and openness to expand my knowledge base and expertise through active participation and continuous learning. 

• I am fully capable of assuming responsibility for tasks and consistently taking proactive steps to drive progress and achieve our goals.

• I strive to maintain a sense of tranquility and composure, and I approach situations with patience and understanding.

• I am adept at collaborating with others, communicating effectively, and contributing positively to group dynamics in order to achieve common goals.

• I am adept at confidently utilizing the latest advancements in technology to enhance productivity and efficiency in various aspects of my life. 

• I possess exceptional proficiency in imparting knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts through effective teaching methods and personalized assistance. 

I would hope that my mentor teacher would notice about my teaching.

Utilize my expertise to instruct and interact with learners in a manner that is both knowledgeable and adaptable, ensuring that their learning progresses at a suitable depth and pace.