Johnson Choi's Career Exchange: From Stocks to Scholars

After over 25 years in the financial industry, Johnson Choi found himself at a crossroads. While the challenges and the fast-paced nature of the financial sector were thrilling, Johnson realised that the most fulfilling aspects of his work involved mentoring, coaching, and developing others.

"This realisation sparked my decision to pursue a career in teaching, where I can focus on guiding, inspiring, and supporting the growth of young minds,” Johnson explains.

Johnson's decision to switch careers was not made lightly. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he came to Auckland in the early 90s to pursue his education. He completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Economics at the University of Auckland before returning to Hong Kong to work at the Stock Exchange. He worked his way up from a Marketing Assistant to Assistant Vice President of Investor Relations at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing. His extensive experience in the financial sector provided him with a wealth of knowledge, but it was his passion for mentoring that led him to The Teachers' Institute.

"One day, I received an email from my son's Headmaster introducing TTI’s Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching, which quickly got my attention. I reached out to learn more about the programme, and here I am,” said Johnson.

As a Maths Teacher Trainee at St Peter's College, Johnson brings his real-world experience into the classroom. During his studies and career, he noticed that many people believed they weren't good at maths. However, when he assisted them with maths-related challenges, he discovered they simply needed encouragement and proper guidance.

"I hope to use real-world examples to connect classroom concepts with the broader world. I want students to see that maths is more than just numbers—it's a tool to understand the world,” Johnson explains.

His goal in his teaching career is to build students' confidence and problem-solving abilities by connecting maths concepts to practical, real-life scenarios. He believes that teaching is not just a job but an investment in the next generation.

"From a financial perspective, teaching is an investment. You're investing in the younger generation to ensure a better future for us all. If you're enthusiastic about this, teaching is one of the careers that can make this change."