New skills role for teacher

Bozena Michalska is happy to be back in Whanganui and teaching again. Photo/Supplied

Tertiary education provider Training For You has appointed a new on-campus tutor to join the team of 12 teaching staff based at the Ingestre St campus.

Bozena Michalska has been employed by Training For You as a foundation skills tutor, teaching on the organisation's popular business administration and computing programmes.

Ms Michalska has worked as a teacher aide, school counsellor, deputy principal and acting principal.

Most recently she has been working with primary school children at St Anne's Catholic School, supporting students with autism and other learning needs.

Originally completing her teaching degree in the UK, Ms Michalska has worked in secondary school education for most of her career.

Her desire to support the student as a whole person is the driver in her vocation.
"I like to think that I make at least a small difference in young people's lives," she says.
She recently spent 18-months living in Christchurch while her civil engineer husband contributed to the rebuild.

Ms Michalska's initial introduction to Whanganui was a brief visit in 1989 during a family holiday.

She returned to live here in 2003, taking up the position of deputy principal at Wanganui Collegiate School.

Now, as a resident of 14 years, she still enjoys the lifestyle the city has to offer.
"The people are friendly, the cafes are good, the town is a comfortable size," she says.

She says she applied for the Training For You role after hearing good things about the organisation. "I want to feel like I'm part of a team that is contributing to the well-being of its students."

The business administration and computing programmes that she will support are designed to provide entry-level skills and knowledge in the use of office technology - including modern communication media, keyboard skills and information processing techniques.

The programmes also include the development of skills and knowledge in customer service, communication and the ability to contribute within a workplace team.