Dr Vaoiva Ponton

Vaoiva (Iva) Ponton completed her PhD in education at the University of Melbourne. She investigated the motivations of Melbourne-based Samoan students to learn, what concerns them, and impediments to their educational success. She has spent the last 25 years as an educator, and is interested in strategies to enhance student success in the transition from school to the tertiary sector. Iva is passionate about utilising Pacific methodologies when supporting communities to achieve educational and social outcomes with success. Her favourite way to unwind is to walk on the beach.