After 38 years with Otago, Paul Pearce retires leaving behind a legacy of the thousands of students he taught and mentored.
If there’s one thing that Paul Pearce believes, it’s that teaching others to improve their craft is the best thing anyone can do.
After nearly four decades of teaching future dentists, Professional Practice Fellow Paul recently retired from Otago’s Faculty of Dentistry Te Kaupeka Pūniho.
From a dental technician to becoming a Professional Practice Fellow has been an interesting journey, Paul says.
Originally from Wales, coming to Aotearoa, the home of the All Blacks, was a “childhood dream” for rugby fan Paul.
In 1985, this was made a reality through the opportunity to work as a dental technician at Otago.
“I started out fabricating partial denture metal frameworks but was soon approached by Professor Anthony Molteno to also help make glaucoma drain implants, a job my wife then took over.”
And while working as a technician was exciting, a new challenge beckoned when Paul was asked to teach second-year dental students.
“I had no previous experience of teaching to fall back on.
“Knowing your trade and teaching your trade are two entirely different things,” Paul says.
The teaching “took him by storm” and the next step was to enhance his skills by “learning about teaching”.
“I took up a diploma in adult teaching, a diploma in tertiary teaching and a course in clinical dental technology.
“I was running between graduations, but it was all good fun and learning. My degree in clinical dental technology was what enabled the shift to Professional Practice Fellow.”
All of the learning paid off and Paul was nominated twice for the OUSA Teaching Awards - in 2005 and 2017 - calling them “some of his most memorable days”.
“For me, teaching has also been a journey learning more about myself.
“I’ve always said that I learn more from my students than I teach them, so this nomination was a wonderful acknowledgement,” Paul says.
In his 38 years at Otago, Paul has seen significant changes in learning and teaching, especially with the onset of new technology, he says.
“CAD/CAM and AI have changed the game. Materials have become more specialised and curriculum expansion means students have to learn more in shorter periods of time.”
One of the things he tells his students is to be prepared for and dedicated to lifelong learning, Paul says.
“Dentistry is evolving and knowledge quickly gets outdated these days.
“You have to stay up-to-date with current techniques after you have graduated so you provide the best service you can, whether it be for a patient or teaching a student.”
It is an endeavour he continues to help students with, still engaging in some teaching and assessment post-retirement, he says.
“I am also happy to step in at any time, to help with individual tutoring.”
In the meantime, Paul and his wife Roslyn are looking forward to taking a break and travelling to meet family across the world.
“Till then we’re keeping busy mountain biking, walking and gardening.”
Looking back at his career, the highlight has been the privilege to have taught thousands of students over the years.
“Many of my former students have gone on to wonderful things both academically and clinically. It's been a great experience to see them achieve in all aspects of their lives.
“I have loved every moment of it, challenges, and all. And when you feel that way about your work, I guess I haven’t had to work at all.”
Otago’s Dental School Dean Professor Paul Cooper says Paul’s willingness to stay involved with the Faculty is a mark of dedication to his profession and his students.
“Paul always taught with enthusiasm, recognised by him receiving significant teaching awards during his career.
“He is clearly very highly regarded by staff, students, the profession and his patients for his teaching and clinical expertise.”
The Faculty will also miss his sporting contributions, especially at the next dentistry staff-student football match, the Dean says.
“Paul’s retirement has left a big hole in more ways than one and he is hugely missed by the Faculty and University.”
~ Kōrero by Sandra French, Adviser, Internal Communications.