Jesse C.O.

Pepeha

Ko Jesse tōku ingoa, Nō Papaioea ahau, Ko Taranaki toku whakapapa,

Ko Taranaki te maunga, Ko Waitara te awa, Ko Aotea te waka,

Ko Te Ātiawa me Taranaki te iwi, Ko Parihaka me Owae te marae,

Ko whenua o tāku whānau a Ihirangi

About Me

I am from Manawatū, New Zealand. I have a background in design, having completed my Masters of Design Innovation degree, Majoring in Industrial Design at Victoria University of Wellington. I chose this field of study because I have always had an affinity for art, creating, and a curiosity for how things work.

Beginning my Teaching Journey

Ko te whakahoahoa me te whakairo tōku wāhangaako (Design and Hard Materials)

I am excited about the opportunity to continue my career by applying for the graduate diploma of secondary teaching at Massey University. I would like to utilize the skills that I have learnt throughout my undergraduate and postgraduate studies towards teaching technology at high school level, in particular visual communication and design, hard materials and visual arts.

I come from a long line of teachers, having been surrounded by them throughout my life. I have been inspired by their ongoing dedication, passion and joy that they get from supporting students to learn. I have an appreciation of the realities of teaching and am fully prepared to put in the time and effort to ensure I am as successful in my role as my predecessors.

My background

I am of Māori and European descent. My life has been influenced against a Taranaki backdrop. On my Father’s side I have large, but close whanau, we whakapapa back to Te Ātiawa and Taranaki Iwi, our Marae are Parihaka and Owae respectively. My Mother’s side, also from Taranaki, was an influential part of my upbringing. Although my roots lie in Taranaki, I was born and raised in Palmerston North, where I grew up around many friends and family who have shaped me into the person I am today.

Awards, Scholarships and Grants

Paranihi Ki Waitōtara Tertiary Education Grant 2018-2021

Taihonoa Grants 2018-2020

Taihonoa Māori Scholarship (DVC) 2019, 2021

Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa Tertiary Grant 2019

Te Kotahitanga o Te Ātiawa Postgraduate Grant 2021

Te Kāhui o Taranaki Iwi Tertiary Education Grant 2019, 2020, 2021, 2025

Victoria University of Wellington Summer Scholarship 2019

Te Huawhiti Career Changer Scholarship 2025