"Working with children, helping them to develop communication skills, finding out their aims and enabling them in the realisation of these has been my passion for more than two decades now."
In 1990 Jenny Fraser started teacher training, as her passion was to help children with learning difficulties.
Her first appointment at Aranui Primary School reinforced this passion with her. She found the students a real challange, but the collegial support she received was a real inspiration to her.
The discipline she had experienced growing up in a musical family was something she could share with others in this environment, but unfortunately this position was only temporary and it was necessary to gain more permanent employment.
She accepted a permanent position at Ilam Primary School where the environment was different again. In addition to her responsibilities as a classroom teacher, she trained a large orchestra and choir and took charge of the music curriculum school-wide. Performances at concerts and music festivals were greatly enjoyed by both music connoisseurs and parents alike.
Her English skills have always been top of her agenda, with one of her own children, Brendan, who struggled with reading and spelling, and is now assistant manager of a reputable Christchurch company, saying, "If Mum hadn't been there for me, I wouldn't be where I am today."
After teaching for twelve years she felt that it would challenge her further to try her skills out on older students so she began teaching in the Reading Resource Department at Burnside High School. This has proved to be very rewarding and she remains there to this day, also being involved in Relief Teaching.
During this time, she studied to become a fully qualified Copy Editor and Proofreader, as the need for these professional skills became evident. With her many years of experience teaching English she found this course to be very interesting and enjoyable, with her tutor, Fiona Atherton saying, "You are really on the ball!", "This was excellent." "Great assignment all round!" and "I am very impressed with the way you have worked through the course!"
She now waits with great anticipation, to begin the next part of her professional life.