Kaylee toured the world as a performing artist and worked as a flight attendant for 8 years. As she turned 30, she was looking for a career change.
“I was thinking about a career which could offer more stability and less travel… that’s when a friend suggested teaching.”
Teaching had always been at the back of her mind, and Massey’s teaching qualifications opened up an opportunity. She could move back to her hometown of Whanganui, with the Manawatū campus just down the road.
Kaylee got a teaching job in Foxton before graduating. Massey is well known for its teaching qualifications, which helped Kaylee showcase her skills. “A letter of support from my lecturers saying I was almost qualified helped me get the role because of Massey’s reputation and they trusted I would be prepared.”
Her new qualification has opened completely new doors. “I love being able to ignite that spark in rangatahi,” she explained. As a teacher, she sees her job as helping teenagers who might start off feeling whakamā or self-conscious to find their confidence.
Many of her students start off too nervous to perform. At that time of life, it’s common for teenagers to be self-conscious and worried about what others think. Kaylee’s combination of a performing arts career and a qualification in teaching have given her the skills to lift her rangatahi up.
“I feel like I’m making a real difference in their lives – the kids are my ‘why’. I don’t think I’ve ever had a job this rewarding.”
Rangatahi who start out nervous find their spark and perform in class, at assemblies and beyond.
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Massey’s flexible options to study by distance or on campus made the career change possible for Kaylee. “I loved the flexibility and connection with my classmates and lecturers – even our online classes were a great time.” She was able to choose what worked for her. Some of her study was on campus nearby and some was online.
Massey has been in the business of distance learning for decades, which means that distance learners get just as much community and connection as their campus counterparts.
“I formed strong connections with my lecturers because they were available anytime I needed them, so they provided a strong support network… they genuinely want to see you succeed.”
Kaylee’s driven to better her craft and grow. She bring the values of learning every single day to her teaching career. “In a couple of years, my goal is to do a full production filled with singing, dancing and action.”
While she works on that goal, she’s showing the community of Manawatū College the confidence and expression that performing arts can bring to the next generation.
