A new career at 62
“I can retire at 65, but why would I?” – Tony Adolph, MIT early childhood education graduate. Tony's story recently featured in this article in the New Zealand Herald.
At 62 years old, many people are thinking about winding up their careers. But for Tony Adolph, a life in early childhood education is only just beginning.
“I can retire at 65, but why would I? If I wasn’t working, I’d be pretty bored,” he says. “It feels like I have so much to offer and so many ideas. I can’t do everything I want to do in three years.”
The Howick local will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) this month.
“I remember the first day at MIT, everyone was so young and using technology was very challenging for me. I questioned what I was doing there,” he says. “But I carried on, realising I had experiences I could share with my younger colleagues and they helped me too.”
After working as a chef his entire life – including 20 years in the army, a retirement village, and running his own café – Tony’s new career direction came as a surprise.
“I got into early childhood education purely by accident,” says Tony. “I was asked to do some paving at the local kindergarten. I thought it would only take a day, but the children wanted to help. It took three days, and I absolutely loved it.”
“I could see some great little personalities – the determined children, the ones that wanted to help, the ones that just wanted to stand there and watch.”
He now works at Pigeon Mountain Kindergarten in Bucklands Beach, following his practical placement there during his final year of his bachelor’s degree at MIT.
“I love it. I really love it,” he says. “Every day is different. When I was a chef, I had a recipe to follow and the outcome was always the same. But the outcome is always different with children. That’s the exciting part; I can set up something and see what they do with it.”
“At this age, children's learning occurs at such a rapid pace, but they need guidance. It makes me feel good to help them on their learning journey, and gain those social skills.”
Tony is unfazed about being a rare male in the female-dominated industry of early childhood education.
“A lot of mothers tell me it’s so good to see a male as a teacher, because some children out there haven’t got a male role model,” he says.
“I think men see things differently from women. I don’t want to wrap children in cotton wool, and I think men are generally more inclined to let children take risks.”
“Most males are supportive, but you still have that stigma,” he says. “It is unfair, but that’s how it is.”
“If you have a desire to make a positive difference in society, then think about early childhood education. We create the foundation for adults who are socially competent, prepared to be long life learners and embrace diverse cultures.”
Tony graduated with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education degree on Saturday 28 May 2016, along with 1,072 other people as part of MIT’s 2016 Graduation.
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