Five Fun Facts!
We're Featuring Michele and Keri!
Michele Fraser
Did you know Year 5 teacher Michele wanted to be a nurse... find out what happened and why she ended up becoming a teacher instead!
Do you have a big family?
I am the second eldest of seven children and I have two children of my own, who were born 16 years apart. My daughter has four wonderful children, so I am Nanny to three boys and a girl. My son moved to Canada this year and he got married a couple of weeks ago. I’d love to visit him, but it would need to be in their summertime… I really don’t like cold weather, not at all!
Do you have a favourite quote?
There are a lot of quotes that appeal to me. Two that I use often as a mother and a teacher are: Just do it! and Magic happens!
What was a goal for you?
When I was little, I really wanted to grow to five feet tall – that was a goal for me! Unfortunately, I never reached it… I only got to 4 ft. 11 inches – 150cms. So close! (Obviously it was not SMART goal!) I actually didn’t even reach the height of my parents – who were both only a mere five-foot three.
However, being small or I like to say petite, I believe, has made me resilient – I just had to get on with things even though I was vertically challenged, and not able to do things, particularly where a certain height was required. I actually wanted to be a ‘Navel Nurse’ but unfortunately when I applied for the position at the age of 18, I failed the physical because I was too short and didn’t weigh enough to be on a ship.
Luckily for me I found teaching, which had no height requirement… I love my job and have always considered it a vocation rather than a job.
Are you a summer or a winter person?
Summer definitely! I love the weather and the clothes too!
I grew up as a ‘beach girl’. When I was a young, my family holidayed in Rye and as a teenager, we had a holiday house at Seaspray and I spent my time on the Ninety Mile Beach. I never learned to surf, but I did boogie board and body surfed. I identified as a ‘surfie chick’.
I still holiday there when I can, however swimming and long walks on the beach are about all I manage these days.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Ohhh darling! I’m a people person! I love to spend time with my family, children and grandchildren, and my friends – I much prefer to be around people.
Even when I go out for a walk by myself, I like to say hello to the elderly people I come across. I always have in the back of my mind that they may not have had any contact with a person that day, so I like to be friendly – you never know who is lonely.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate bullets! I can’t stop at a few – it’s the whole bag or nothing!
Keri Spence
Keri, Performing Arts teacher, has two non-negotiables to see her through the day. Read on to find out what they are!
Was the last thing you read/best book you have read?
The last book I read was Boy Swallows Universe. Luckily, I’m surrounded by voracious readers and get lots of wonderful suggestions. On the advice of the phenomenal Marjie, the next book on my shelf is The Dictionary of Lost Words.
Are you into podcasts or do you only listen to music?
I adore music and podcasts! I listen to audiobooks or podcasts every night to go to sleep and I especially love them for traveling or long walks. But nothing beats music when it comes to dancing and exercising!
What do you wish you knew more about?
I wish I knew more about health sciences. I started my degree with options to go into either science, law, Classical studies, or music. I ended up focusing on the last two, but I would love to understand more about how bodies work!
What are some small things that make your day better?
Cuddles and coffee are non-negotiables – if I miss out on those two, I’m a miserable sook! If I can sneak in some exercise, a chat with my brother or get some time to read a book, even better.
Where are you from?
I’m from across the ditch! Aotearoa is where I grew up and we were lucky enough to sneak in a visit in June when the travel bubble was open. It was equally stunning and freezing!
