Natalie | Matamata, Waikato

“I’m normally a secondary school teacher, but this year I’ve actually been on study leave, and I thought I’d really enjoy it, being out of the classroom, because I’ve been doing it for 16 years, or something insane, but I’ve actually really missed it.

I’ve found it hard because I’m such a social person. Studying by myself at home, I live alone, I’ve got a dog, but obviously she doesn’t talk, and then the whole lockdown thing, and being away from my friends and family. I think just having to learn to live by myself without constant social interaction has been challenging this year. I know it’s not a huge challenge, and so I’ve been lucky enough. My good friend manages the i-SITE behind me, and she has very kindly given me a part-time job. So, I can have that social interaction, and not get all inside my own head. To actually talk to people and not go insane.

I guess I learned to be comfortable with being alone, to not have to rely on others to prop me up. I kind of had to do that myself with study, because I’m doing my masters. I had to believe in myself, because you’re not in front of a teacher, and somebody’s not going, you’re doing an awesome job, keep it up. So I really had to believe in myself, which I haven’t really had to do much before.

I actually grew up not far from Matamata. I grew up in Tīrau, and came to school here in Matamata, which is where I teach. So, I ended up coming home. I’ve been away. I did the whole OE thing, and taught overseas for several years, but just kind of ended up back here, because I love Matamata. It’s paradise.”