Inspiring future innovators through STEM

A graduate of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, Mr Montagnani teaches mathematics, digital technologies and STEM at St Peter's College in Palmerston North. Alongside teaching, he coaches the school's VEX Robotics team and helps organise robotics competitions across the Manawatū-Whanganui region through Central Robotics and Kiwibots.

Teaching wasn't always part of his plan. After completing a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechatronics at Massey, he spent a year working in engineering before learning his role would be made redundant.

Reflecting on the unexpected career change, he says it was his experience mentoring young people through robotics that pointed him towards teaching.

Mr Montagnani says looking back, the decision became surprisingly clear.

"I realised that maybe I could use what I had learned through my study and work and continue to give back to my community through teaching."

Mr Montagnani returned to Massey to complete a Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching. He says the university's teacher education programme challenged him to step outside his comfort zone while equipping him with practical skills for the classroom.

"The research into Aotearoa New Zealand history, teaching pedagogies and behavioural management was extremely relevant and important. The emphasis on cultural responsiveness in teaching practice and equitable outcomes is something that has always stuck with me as someone who grew up with both a Māori and Pākehā background."

Today he enjoys helping students see mathematics in a different light.

"Mathematics is often that subject that students struggle with and don't enjoy, and I think that has given mathematics an undeserved reputation. I want to try and change that."

Mr Montagnani adds that mathematics is much more than numbers.

That thinking naturally extends into STEM, where his encourages students to combine mathematics, engineering, technology and creativity to solve real-world problems.

One of his proudest moments came earlier this year when the St Peter's College robotics team SPCBots won the Design Award at the VEX V5 Robotics Competition National Championships in Auckland. The achievement earned the team a place at the VEX Robotics World Championship in St Louis, Missouri, where they went on to win the Inspire Award in their division.

Mr Montagnani says seeing the students apply their learning, work collaboratively and compete alongside teams from around the world demonstrated the opportunities STEM education can create and reinforced the value of encouraging young people to pursue their passions.

"Teaching STEM, I get to dip into all these different topics and find ways to blend them together to create something my students will love."

He believes STEM education opens doors to countless careers, from engineering and software development to architecture, game design and environmental science. More importantly, he says it develops the curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills that students will use throughout their lives.

He has some advice for anyone considering a career in STEM teaching.

"It is a gift to be able to take what you have learned and use it to inspire the next generation. Teaching is a sacred calling and ultimately is something that feels very rewarding."