Source: Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA)
Mardi O’Connor provides administrative support for the Professional Learning and Development Fund
Mardi took up the newly created part-time role of PLD Fund project administrator for one day before the country went into Level 4 lockdown in August. “So the biggest challenge of the job at the start was getting across new systems remotely and meeting colleagues online.”
Chuffed to be part of PLD
Mardi supports the PLD Fund teams in their various projects, ranging from short-term professional development courses and seminars to large-scale national conferences. “It’s an administrative role consisting of minuting, scheduling, organising processes and the like. I find project coordination deeply satisfying and I’m chuffed to be part of the PLD Fund as it was a great win by the union and a real asset to teachers. I’m also proud to be working in Aotearoa’s mighty labour movement. My great-grandmother took minutes at the Labour Party’s very first meeting in Reefton, on the West Coast.”
Working for those hit hardest by lockdown
Before coming to PPTA, Mardi worked in Melbourne as an Industrial Officer for the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, which represents journalists, actors, film and theatre crews and entertainment venue staff – basically, the industries that suffered the most from the lockdowns and selective federal government payments. “Last year was extremely challenging for the union but it was a fantastic role with a diverse and interesting member base.”
Outside of work, Mardi is renovating an off-grid tiny house and establishing a garden at Waikawa Beach on the Kāpiti Coast /Horowhenua border. She also plans to take up writing again. “While I’ve lapsed badly, I want to return to creative writing – short stories and literary non-fiction.”
