Shaping Futures Where Her Own Began

For Hannah Barber-Wilson, the path to becoming a teacher feels natural—rooted in her passion for education and her love for geography which she now brings to life as a Teacher Trainee at her alma mater, Diocesan School for Girls (Dio). Hannah's journey into teaching has been a blend of passion, reflection and a desire to give back to the community that shaped her.

“I’ve always wanted to give back to my school,” Hannah shares, reflecting on the profound influence Dio has had on her. Education was a cornerstone of her upbringing and her passion for teaching emerged early, starting with creating YouTube tutorials as a child. “I used to make videos teaching people how to make various things to put on the internet. So, I probably began teaching back as a toddler!” she laughs.

After finishing university, Hannah realised she was ready for something different. The corporate world didn’t call to her, nor did the idea of continuing in academia full-time. That’s when she discovered The Teachers' Institute, an opportunity she describes as a "no-brainer." “I’ve always considered teaching as a profession, but didn’t know when would be the ‘right time’. Learning about The Teachers' Institute made it clear that the time was now,” she says. However, her path hasn’t been without hesitation. Coming from a diverse background, which enabled her to attend excellent schools with abundant opportunities, she noticed that teachers often weren’t accorded the respect they deserved. “Even though I benefited from exceptional teachers, I never felt they were granted the esteem and importance they deserved.”

Hannah’s passion for geography blossomed during her years at Dio, thanks to an inspiring teacher and a curriculum that resonated deeply with her. A pivotal moment came in Year 12 and 13 while studying for her International Baccalaureate Diploma, when the human geography aspect of the curriculum brought her interests together. “It was compulsory to take a humanities subject and I unexpectedly gelled with geography,” she explains. Now, as a teacher trainee, she’s eager to make the subject dynamic and relatable for her students. “Geography has the unique aspect of being learned and experienced in real time. Students can see theories come to life through evolving case studies in both their immediate world and the global environment.”

Hannah’s approach to teaching is holistic. She aims to inspire her students by encouraging them to bring their whole selves into the classroom and fostering a lifelong curiosity for learning. For her, teaching is a reciprocal relationship. “I hope to learn as much from my students as they (hopefully) learn from me. That’s one of the fantastic aspects of teaching: the ‘people factor.’”

Returning to Dio as a staff member has given Hannah a fresh perspective on a familiar environment. “It’s entertaining seeing what I must have looked like as a student!” she says. She also expresses admiration for the school’s ethos, its beautiful grounds, and the staff, all of whom make it a joy to teach there. “Linking back in with the students who are now in the position I used to be in is something I’ve been enjoying immensely.”

As she looks to the future, Hannah’s teaching goals are far-reaching. At the heart of her ambitions is a desire to see students’ learning translate into meaningful contributions to the community. She also hopes to adapt teaching methods to meet diverse learning needs while ensuring her students feel seen and valued in an increasingly diverse country. “With the increasing diversity in our country, I believe it’s important for students to ‘see’ themselves at school, and be seen.”

For those considering a career in teaching, Hannah offers sage advice: “Teaching involves stepping outside of the more alluring professional slipstreams in terms of income and perceived societal status. It’s not for the faint-hearted—kids are hard work! But I believe teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand will increasingly show its potential as a fantastic pathway, especially with initiatives like the school-based Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching at The Teachers’ Institute.”