Morgan Rangi

Head of mathematics
Nga Puhi, Ngati Hine

Morgan’s career has fast tracked since being interviewed by TeachNZ five years ago. Over the period, he has progressed from mathematics teacher at Mt Roskill Grammar to assistant head of mathematics at Onehunga High School, and for the last two years to head of mathematics at Onehunga.
 
 “I really still love the classroom because the kids are just so much fun to work with,” says Morgan enthusiastically.  “I particularly enjoy helping them understand mathematics to the point that they will be able to use it in their own future in whatever direction they may be heading.”

Morgan’s first real interest in teaching began when he left Bay of Islands College and travelled to the United States on a Rotary International Scholarship.  There he helped the physics teacher with classes and on his return to New Zealand, he applied to train as a maths and physics teacher after seeing the TeachNZ ads on television.  “I realised I enjoyed being with people. Having a TeachNZ scholarship was a factor in my carrying on with teaching studies, which I absolutely loved.”

Morgan’s teaching role has changed considerably from those early days.
“Since being promoted it has been a continual, yet fantastic, learning curve. It’s quite a change from teaching four classes of students. I now need to be available for the 1200 students taking maths, 15 maths department staff members, various deans and the deputy principals.“

As part of the managerial side of his job, Morgan still enjoys being able to develop departmental ideas and projects which will improve students’ mathematics success.

“Teaching should always be focussed towards improving student learning,” maintains Morgan. “They are after all the main reason you want to be in front of a class every day.”