Every fortnight we have been profiling our 'New to Nayland' teaching staff. Today we meet Melody Grant who has taken up the privilege and challenge of teaching our new integrated homeroom class, an initiative established at the start of the year to meet the learning needs of those who learn better with one teacher rather than many.

Kia ora koutou!! My name is Melody Grant.

Where were you born and where did you grow up?

I was born in a cute little town called Lawrence which is in Central Otago. My dad got a job working for Sollys in Collingwood, Golden Bay when I was 1 years old. I was raised for the bulk of my childhood in Puponga where Mum and Dad set up Cape Farewell Horse Treks. Takaka was the ‘big smoke’.

Where else have you lived besides Nelson?

Since leaving home I have lived in many different places in New Zealand including Canvastown, rural parts of Wairarapa, Northland, the Far North and in Christchurch whilst I was studying.

Why did you decide to be a teacher – and what drew towards becoming an ……(English/Science/Maths etc) teacher in particular?

I was holding down three jobs by the time I left school, I was a rich teenager with a mini clubman. I left school and completed a Certificate in Pre-degree Nursing at NMIT (Nelson Polytechnic back then), and I worked in various jobs.

After a few years I was interested in some stability, mostly I was mentally bored and wanted to do something challenging. I wanted to be successful, achieve something. At that point no one in my family had been to university. I seen an advertisement in the newspaper advertising for a course for teacher training in Physical Education. This seemed perfect as I could still move in my job, be outside and I was bossy enough to be a teacher. I dived into training and my new career.

What do you like about teaching, and teaching at Nayland specifically?

Fifteen years on, I still love teaching because I am helping people and constantly learning. Every day is different with so many opportunities! A staff room is full of knowledgeable and experienced people who are there because they want to help and be apart of something fantastic.

Nayland is a fantastic school and I feel very privileged the be apart of this team. The opportunities for students are endless and the support is wholesome. Since the beginning of the school year I have felt supported by the friendly staff, senior leadership and our parent body.

What are your passions and areas of expertise?

I am the most passionate about helping the kids. Providing them with advice, learning experiences and opportunities to develop skills and confidence as the walk out into the ‘real world’. My area of expertise has become widespread throughout my career. Although, I specialised in Physical Education and am qualified in Geography, Social Science and Health I have had the challenge of teaching in a number of different subject areas including in Primary education. At one point I had to teach sewing, this was not an area of expertise for me!

Who has inspired you on your own learning journey?

I think if had to pin down who has inspired me to one person it would be my mother. She worked so hard and had so little time for herself that I had decided as a child, I wasn’t going to do that. She told me I could do anything I put my mind to, and I believed her, so I did. My goal was to increase my value doing something awesome and gain as much life outside work as possible. Always a work in progress.

My own kids and the kids I teach also inspire me. They believe I can do anything and know everything. They inspire me to challenge myself and put myself in a position that I encourage them to put themselves in. When I feel worried about not being able to achieve something I want to do I think of my expectation on them and just go forth.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my own time I like will try everything as long as it’s not too slow or boring. I have been an avid mountain biker in the past participating in lots of races and riding as much single track as possible. I spent 11 years as a runner, particularly mountain and trail running also competing in any race that was ‘hardcore’, and I enjoyed fast packing before it was a ‘thing’. These days I ride my horse, it’s nice to have another set of legs to run and jump for me. I’m not a flash rider, more hang on and hope for the best approach. I still ride my mountain bike and enjoy tramping at a slower pace these days. The mountain tops are my favourite place. I have two kids and a husband who are pretty cool to hang out with too.

What were you like as a student at school?

As a child in Primary school, I was a bit of a nightmare. I don’t know why. By Year 6 I had made a pact with myself that I would complete my work and not cause any more trouble, that’s what I did. From there I was great. I think teaching has improved a great deal since I was at school. I remember those teachers who smiled at me the most.

What did you do for a living before you became a teacher?

Before becoming a teacher I worked in many different jobs such as apple picking, restaurants, Sealord, I was in the territorial force in the NZ Army and I spent a chuck of time as a possum hunter working on eradication contracts around New Zealand. Our eradication team was the best in NZ.

What is the most interesting thing you have done in your life so far?

One of the interesting things I have done was completing a 10 day Vipassana Meditation course. Also, one of the most challenging things I have ever done. Absolutely no communication for 10 days (not even a raised eyebrow!) and 14 hours a day of meditation. I had never meditated before. It took huge discipline, it was painful and enlightening. Crazy interesting experience.

Describe yourself with three words:

Determined, capable, adventurous.

If you could share one piece of wisdom with the students of Nayland College what would it be?

Just give it a whirl, you never know…

Question from previous interviewee Debbie Swainston: "If you could have dinner with any three people in the world, who would they be?"

The Dalai Lama, Barack Obama and Pink.

What question would you like to ask the next interviewee?

Name two very important people in any school.