Today we profile another one of our 2021 teaching recruits Lauren Prestidge, a familiar face who has returned to Nayland College after Covid cut her OE short. While we're sad for Lauren that she didn't get the length of time overseas that she had hoped for, we're so glad to have her back at Nayland!

Where were you born and where did you grow up?

I was born in Taupo, where I grew up with my family.

Where else have you lived besides Nelson?

I began life in Taupo, spent my teenage years in Napier at boarding school, studied in Wellington for four years, then taught in Auckland on the North Shore before making my way to Nelson in 2018. Then I popped over to London for a year and a bit before COVID cut my OE short! I returned to Taupo before heading back to teaching in Blenheim, and now I am back in Nelson!

Why did you decide to be a teacher?

As a teen I never thought I would be a teacher as my dad was a secondary school teacher, and teenagers always want to forge their own paths. However, at the end of Year 13 I realised that I’d been teaching all my life really, through tutoring, holiday programs, coaching etc. So it was a really natural fit for me. My younger sister is also a teacher and my older sister is a ski instructor, so it runs in the blood!

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

I find that students here tend to have a good sense of humour. Once you get to know your class you can have a lot of fun and get to know the individuals in your class while you learn.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Travel. I now have a lot more spare time than I’d ideally like! I also like to read (English teacher), get into the outdoors, and bake.

What are your passions and areas of expertise?

I enjoy weaving different subjects together in class, specifically Social Sciences and English. They are so intertwined in real life, it just makes sense to teach them together. I also love the visual and spoken side of English. Film studies, visual images and speeches are a favourite of mine to teach.

What were you like as a student at school?

Every report stated that I was “bubbly” and that I talk far too much. They weren’t wrong.

Who has inspired you on your own learning journey?

Colleagues and my peers at university. It is always interesting to learn from other people’s experiences, as well as your own.

Describe yourself with three words:

Determined, empathetic and an-excellent-procrastinator.

Question from Julia Brown: If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be doing?

I like to think I’d have the guts to do something like write a book, or work for an aid organisation overseas.

What question would you like to ask the next interviewee?

What’s been a highlight in your life so far?