Marilyn Baigent

Head of Performing Arts

“I can’t recall ever having a boring moment in teaching. There are so many X factors in this job that you don’t get in others."

After 27 years of teaching, many of them part-time while she raised a family, Marilyn is as enthusiastic about teaching now as she ever was. "It's never boring, the days fly. I can't recall ever having a boring moment in teaching," says Marilyn.

Marilyn is a music teacher and teacher-in-charge of performing arts at Aotea College. Music, particularly choral music, is her passion. This is Marilyn's first year back teaching full-time in 17 years after raising her family. Her specialist subject area has enabled her to teach music partime over this period. This means, she brings a total of 27 years of teaching experience to the classroom.

Some of Marilyn's teaching took place in a variety of schools in London, where she sang in the London Symphony Chorus. "Teaching is such a wonderful job if you want to travel," she says. "Every holiday it's easy to put a pack on your back, cross to Europe and visit another country."

"I really enjoy teenagers," Marilyn says. "Being in the music field helps in that you get to know the students really well. You not only teach them but also direct musical activities outside school hours. It helps to build a special relationship with them," she says.

Marilyn also enjoys working in a job where she feels she's making a difference. "There are so many X factors in this job that you don't get in others."