Beyond the Whistle with Alyssa

In this episode of Nurturing Educators, I catch up with Alyssa Golding, once my student, now a thriving intermediate school teacher and sports coach. At just 23, Alyssa has already built an impressive teaching career while balancing her love for football, both as a player and coach. She shares how early experiences coaching younger kids, a lifelong passion for sport, and the example set by her mother, a respected educator, inspired her to pursue teaching. 

Alyssa reflects on her journey through teacher training during the challenges of COVID-19, the lessons learnt on placements, and the transition from student teacher to having her own classroom. She opens up about the unique challenges of starting her career at 21, including gaining respect from students only 10 years younger, and how setting boundaries and building relationships helped her succeed. From teaching writing to running a football programme for 350 students, Alyssa’s dedication to both academics and extracurriculars shines through. 

Listeners will hear candid insights on what it is like as a new teacher, the value of extracurricular involvement, and the patience needed to thrive in education. Alyssa’s story is a full-circle moment, from a student in my Spanish class and on the football team I coached to a confident teacher shaping young lives. Whether you’re a beginning teacher, a coach, or someone considering the profession, this episode is packed with encouragement, practical wisdom, and a reminder of the lasting impact a passionate educator can have. 

Hosted by Debbie Ross
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Thanks for listening! 

Transcript

Debbie Ross (Host): Welcome, Alyssa. Would you like to share a little bit about yourself? 

Alyssa Golding (Guest): Okay, I'm Alyssa. I am an intermediate school teacher. I play football, play football since I was five, still play now and also coach football here at my school. 23 years old. And yeah, that's about it. 

Debbie: Awesome. So what inspired you to become a teacher? 

Alyssa: I've always liked working with kids and doing stuff with kids. I think from a young age, I always did babysitting and looked after kids on our street. The jobs I had—like I was a before and after school care teacher—and I coached younger kids while I was at school as well. So playing at school, but also coaching the year seven or eight teams at our school. I just really liked the idea of being a part of a kid's journey and life of learning stuff. I always feel like that's quite an inspiring thing to do. 

Debbie: Awesome. And it seems like a bit of a natural progression into teaching, eh? 

Alyssa: Yeah. 

Debbie: Great. And did having your mum in education influence your decision at all? 

Alyssa: Oh, yeah, for sure. I think Mum was a big inspiration. I saw how she was with people and how a lot of people respected her as a teacher. I just feel like seeing what she did for people was always a big thing for me. I always wanted to follow in her footsteps—sometimes she might not have wanted me to—but I feel like it was definitely the right thing. She was a really big influence in that too, yeah.

 Debbie: Yeah, such a great role model. I loved working with her as well. 

Debbie: So what are some of your earliest memories of school or teachers that stuck with you? 

Alyssa: One of my earliest memories was when I was year four, we moved houses, so we had to move schools. We moved in with my Nana at the time. I remember my teacher, Miss Longongoni—she was amazing. She's my first teacher I remember. Whoever I had in year three, two, and one, I do not remember at all, but I remember her and my year six teacher, Miss Edwards. They were best friends and always said, “Oh, if you're my favourite, then you go to her.” When I got both of them, it was really good. I still keep in contact with Miss Edwards now, which is quite nice. 

Debbie: Is she still teaching? 

Alyssa: She's the deputy principal at where I went to primary now. She's still there, which is nice, and I was actually there on placement with her. That was like a full circle. Also, when I went to Barrene… Miss Bromell really stuck with me in English. I think because she was young and understood us. Mrs. Adam always stuck with me too—she was always there for me, even outside of school. And obviously you were a big teacher that stuck with me. I only took Spanish when I had you, and when I didn’t, I stopped. Plus, you coached me with football. You three were definitely it.

 Debbie: I feel like there’s a bit of a full circle. 

Alyssa: Very full circle moment, yeah, for sure. 

Debbie: Coming from being a student, football days, and your mum as the manager as well. 

Alyssa: I know. Full circle. 

Debbie: And now you've got your own class and you’re a coach—it's awesome. So, where did you do your teacher training? 

Alyssa: I did my teacher training at the University of Auckland at the Epsom campus. 

Debbie: Okay. 

Alyssa: Yeah, before it closed. 

Debbie: Where are they now? 

Alyssa: They're in the city. They got rid of the Epsom campus, but yeah, I was there at the University of Auckland. 

Debbie: Talk us through a little bit—how many years? 

Alyssa: I did the three-year degree, which is primary and intermediate, so I can teach from new entrants all the way to year eight. Obviously it was COVID time—2021 to 2023—so my whole first year was basically online. We had our placements, luckily, but all our testing was online. We were the first people to go through uni that way, so they had to make a new system for us. 

Debbie: A lot of trial and error. 

Alyssa: Oh, yeah, for sure. 

Debbie: So what was the experience like for someone thinking about doing teaching as a career? 

Alyssa: It was a really good experience. Talking with people going through the exact same thing as you is helpful. I met great friends, some from my school, some new. Lecturers actually wanted to make sure you understood, and they taught step by step. 

Debbie: And then you go out on practicals—what does that look like? 

Alyssa: Each year is different. My first year, I only had to do one day of full control, but I was there for about four or five weeks. My teacher was a team leader, so straight away he was like, “Right, you take a group.” It was a good thing because I got into the pattern and understood what it was like. Placements either make or break a teacher—you find out if it’s for you. 

Debbie: And what made you decide intermediate over high school? 

Alyssa: I always wanted younger students. I feel like primary lets you build deeper connections as the one main teacher. 

Debbie: How do you find teaching a variety of topics in a day? Alyssa: It’s a learning curve because you don’t know everything, but sometimes you learn with them. Students like that. 

Debbie: Favourite subject to teach? 

Alyssa: Apart from PE, probably writing. I’ve always loved writing, even in high school. The kids say I’m a tough marker, but we break things down so they really learn. 

Debbie: And in terms of extracurricular? 

Alyssa: I run a football program every Friday with about 350 kids. Players from Auckland City Football Club come in to help. I also run year eight sports afternoons. 

Debbie: How have you found your first few years in the classroom? 

Alyssa: A big learning experience. Placement isn’t quite the same as having your own class. There have been challenges, but I love it. 

Debbie: Biggest challenge? 

Alyssa: My age—starting at 21, teaching 12-year-olds. Some kids outside my class didn’t respect me at first, but I set boundaries early. 

Debbie: How do you manage work-life balance? 

Alyssa: I don’t. I’ve been doing my master’s, teaching, coaching, and playing football. I like keeping busy, but I do take Sundays for myself—spa, time with my dog, talking with my parents. 

Debbie: And for coaching, what’s it like as a teacher now? 

Alyssa: It’s easy in the sense I already have respect as their teacher. I’m a bit calmer coaching than teaching, but my expectations are clear. 

Debbie: Would you recommend getting involved in extracurriculars for beginning teachers? 

Alyssa: Definitely—it’s a great way to get to know kids outside your class. 

Debbie: Did you find the paperwork hard as a BT? 

Alyssa: I was lucky to have amazing mentor teachers. They made my first years much easier. 

Debbie: What advice would you give someone considering teaching? 

Alyssa: Make sure you have patience. Kids won’t be perfect all the time. If you can handle that, take the risk—it’s a fun, rewarding job. 

Debbie: Where do you see yourself growing over the next few years?

 Alyssa: I’d love to teach overseas one day, but I want to stay in the classroom, especially doing sport leadership. 

Debbie: Well, it’s been such a joy chatting with you today, Alyssa. From watching you grow as a student and athlete to now thriving as a teacher and coach, your passion, insight, and honesty are such a good reminder of the powerful impact educators can have. Thanks so much for sharing your story. 

Alyssa: Thank you.