New teachers from Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea bring diverse experiences and enthusiasm to Cook Islands classrooms.

Te Maraurau o te Pae Api’i Cook Islands Ministry of Education welcomed 13 new teachers from Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea, with two more expected to arrive next week.

Among the new arrivals is Lisa Taylor, who embarks on a new chapter at Araura College in Aitutaki. She will be teaching English, Digital Technology, and Pathways to Year 10 and 11 students.

Taylor hails from Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand, where she most recently tutored English and Economics at Otago Girls’ High School.

She made the decision to teach in the Cook Islands since her youngest child Tessa, who has accompanied her to Rarotonga, left school.

“The timing was perfect; I’ve never been to the Cook Islands and I thought ‘wow what an opportunity’.

“I’ve always wanted to learn another culture and language, and just get out of my comfort zone and experience a new way of life… better weather.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity and really excited to get to know the students.

“I haven’t taught boys for many years so I’m excited about teaching co-ed and looking forward to meeting the people and making a difference in education.”

Freda Keranu from Papua New Guina is “happy” to be starting her new career here on Rarotonga at Tereora College, teaching English.

She arrived last week with her son Mickazi. Her husband and two older sons will be arriving soon.

Keranu had been teaching in a province known as Milne Bay, at the Cameron Secondary High School, as well as in American Samoa and Samoa.

“I’ve heard a lot about the Cook Islands and since I’ve worked in those two countries (American Samoa and Samoa), I’ve developed I guess a love for the islands,” said Keranu.

“One day browsing through the internet I saw vacancies available in the Cook Islands I thought well, give it a go and here I am today.

“Coming out here it’s different and I love the scenery and I’ve got to say I love the people, the smiling faces are so infectious, the hospitality – is beyond 10.

“So, I’m looking forward to working here for three years.”

Mereseini Bou and her young son Nemani arrived from Fiji just over a week ago.

She is from the first capital of Fiji, Levuka, where she was teaching at a small mission school, the Delana Methodist High School.

“We’ve heard stories about the Cook Islands and saw there was an opportunity and I said ‘oh why don’t we just give it a try,’ leave home for a bit, try it out, explore a new island, a new place,” said Bou.

“I’m looking forward to the nice environment, the waves and the scenery.

“The weather is quite similar to Fiji, but, it’s a smaller place and I like the idea of being in a small place.”

Bou is looking forward to and “excited” to be teaching Cook Islands children.

Shelley Berry, former principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, has returned to the island with her husband Tim and their two children, Conrad and Lachlan. Both Shelley and Tim have secured three-year contracts with Te Maraurau o te Pae Api’i.