Kia Ora - Welcome to my digital CV. Firstly my name is Ben Soole, I am 34 years of age and I have been in education now for 10 years. My pathway to teaching began by working for Sport Northland as the School Holiday Program facilitator and co-ordinator. This job enabled me to work while I studied at the University of Auckland towards my Bachelor of Education Degree. In this role I was able to couple my love for sports with my chosen career path of teaching by planning for students on a daily basis.
I completed my studies in 2004 and was extremely lucky to find work in a small area school straight out of University. I always think back to my first year of teaching and the extremely strong grounding that I was given by the Principal of this school who also acted as my tutor teacher. The experiences and insight he shared with me were invaluable then and still are to this day. It is these experiences that drive me to do my best for students as a teacher by trying to provide for my students, experiences that they will learn from and remember for many years to come.
My position was only fixed for a year and in term 4, I began the task of again looking for work. I was again extremely lucky to be offered work, this time in a permanent capacity for the following year. I gladly accepted the job at Kamo Primary School and remain there to this day. I owe a lot to the fabulous staff of Kamo Primary who have been a huge support network and surrogate family over my time and without this amazing family, the vision and direction of the school I would not have grown into the teacher that I am today.
Outside of teaching I am a dedicated family man. I live on the beautiful Tutukaka coast with my wife who is also a teacher and our two fabulous children, Lilly and Rosie. We love being outdoors as a family and enjoy exploring the vast coastline. I love water sports and in particular swimming and stand up paddle boarding which are my release, escape and ways to unwind. I am a passionate photographer and love trying to capture every moment in my daughters lives.
I am also passionate about New Zealand's history and culture. Being part Máori I love to find out as much as possible about my Túpuna and my Whakapapa. This learning has been ongoing for a number of years and as I have matured I have also found a need to learn more about my extended Whanau, where they were from and the place they had in building New Zealand's past and history. My father and grandparents on his side have always instilled in me how important family and learning are. The two I believe, go hand in hand and one cannot be done without the other.
Growing up in Dargaville and moving to Paihia then on to Whangarei has enabled me to explore a part of the country that I feel extremely connected to and a place that I will always call home. Although I have travelled to various parts of the world and throughout New Zealand itself I am always strongly drawn back to Northland. My roots lie here in Northland and now my daughters roots are firmly planted here too. It is a special place to grow up in, to teach in and also to raise a family in.
To answer the question "Who am I ?" I would respond by saying that I am the most passionate educator I know, I am the teacher who likes to stay ahead of the technology landscape and who loves to try out and play around with these new and great initiatives whether it be an iPad or a modern space to find out what might work for my learners. I am the person who loves challenge and who is not afraid to take risks or to try something new. I am a listener, collaborator, communicator, a guy who loves a good laugh and an all round nice guy. I am the best person for the role of Principal at Kamo Primary School.
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