When Adi Sereana Virikoro Ravai steps into her kindergarten classroom she knows the lessons she teaches go far beyond numbers and letters.
For more than six years, the Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher has dedicated her life to nurturing young minds, believing that every child deserves guidance and a safe place to learn.
Now teaching at St Catherine (Naitavuni) Catholic Primary School in Naitasiri, Adi Sereana’s commitment to children began long before she entered the classroom.
Originally from Soa Village in Nakorotubu, Ra, with maternal links to Nacamaki Village in Koro, Lomaiviti, she spent years volunteering and serving children through church programs before becoming a qualified ECE teacher.
“I have been an ECE teacher for more than six years now. I used to do voluntary work in the past,” she said.
“Caring for children is not new to me because I used to be a Sabbath School teacher before becoming an ECE teacher.”
Her desire to help children continued to grow through different leadership roles.
She served as an Adventurer Club director at Fulton College when it was based in Korovou, Tailevu, and later became a counsellor for the Pathfinders Club under the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Each role strengthened her belief that the early years of a child’s life are among the most important.
“I love children very much and nurturing children has always been a passion for me,” she said.
That passion is reflected in her classroom every day.
Adi Sereana plans storytelling sessions, arts and crafts, music and structured play that help build literacy and numeracy skills among her young students.
She also closely observes each child’s development, adapting lessons to suit individual learning needs while preparing reports for parents and school management. Beyond academics, she ensures every child feels emotionally supported and safe while at school.
For Adi Sereana, teaching extends beyond classroom walls. She enjoys organising activities that encourage children’s growth and confidence, including last week’s ECE Week celebrations at Naitavuni Catholic Primary School.
“What I love about being an ECE teacher is being able to organise events that help children develop,”
Her commitment to children also includes outreach programs for young people who need extra guidance.
“I love doing outreach activity work, reaching out to children who need guidance at a young age,” she said.
“I used to run small activities that helped children and would invite organisations that would share their resources to help children, and that motivates me.”
Before joining Naitavuni Catholic Primary School, Adi Sereana taught at Suva Tiny-Tot.
During that period, she also served as president of the ECE Suva association, further contributing to the development of early childhood education.
Looking back, she sees a journey connected by one purpose, serving children wherever she is needed.
Whether volunteering in church programs, leading youth clubs, organising community outreach or teaching in the classroom, Adi Sereana has remained committed to helping children learn and grow.
