Bula vinaka! I'm Vivita Rabo, I'm a true Fijian at heart, apart from my love of sun, sand and sea, (like my fellow Fijians) I'm crazy about rugby 7's!

I began my teaching career in Fiji and taught at several primary schools in the Central Division (Suva) as well as a special school. In 2009 I migrated to New Zealand.

Being an immigrant from the Pacific can be difficult in terms of searching for a suitable teaching position. Hence, my journey began with a relieving teachers workshop at Kelston Deaf Education Centre (KDEC). Since then, I have worked in the Deaf Provisions at Papatoetoe High School, Kelston Primary School and Mission Heights Junior College.

I have a Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychology) from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching from University of Canterbury, a Postgraduate Certificate in Digital and Applied Practice from UNITEC and a Master of Education from University of Auckland. In 2015, I was fortunate to be selected as one of Core Education's e-fellowship recipients.

I strongly endorse Vygotsky's socio-cultural theory that learners thrive in socially rich environments (physical and virtual) where there is interaction, collaboration, innovation and problem solving with fellow peers, teachers, whanau and community.

As KDEC senior teacher, I am confident that OJC provides an ideal inclusive learning space where learners who are deaf and hearing impaired are respected, cared for, inspired, empowered, their sense of identity enhanced so that they can be the best person and make a difference in the world they live in.