Nadeen Papali'i, Environmental Engineer & Teacher

Nadeen's story

I'm of Samoan descent from Otara, Auckland, and attended Auckland Girls Grammar School.

I chose subjects in high school based on the requirements to study engineering at the University of Auckland.

I completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), majoring in chemical and materials. I also did a Master's in Environmental Engineering (Hons).

Then I enrolled in the Teach First NZ programme and completed a postgraduate diploma in teaching. I also did a postgraduate certificate with Unitec, MindLab, in digital and collaborative learning.

I did a lot of my training within engineering, but I had very little experience in the workforce. Towards the end of my Master's degree, I wasn't quite ready to enter the workforce. I still wanted to train and grow my confidence.

Teach First NZ provided an opportunity to develop leadership. It helped me get to where I am today.

Now, I teach mathematics and direct the Health Science Academy at Tangaroa College.

I chose STEM because I loved problem solving and figuring out why things worked the way they did.

I heard there was (and still is) a need for more female Pacific representation within the field. I figured why not channel my purpose towards responding to a need. So my journey with STEM continues.

Nadeen's pathway

Year 12 and 13 subjects

• physics
• chemistry
• English
• calculus
• Japanese
• accounting.

Tertiary study

• Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), majoring in chemical and materials
• Master's in Environmental Engineering
• Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching

More about being a teacher

Secondary school teachers plan and deliver lessons to students in high school. 

Learn more about being a secondary school teacher, including current job opportunities:

Secondary school teacher (external link) - Careers NZ website