Our People ~ Who we are
Victoria
Centre Manager:
Kia ora koutou, I hail from Santa Cruz, California and have lived in Aotearoa for the past 19 years. I raised my two now grown daughters Zoe and Tess in Kawhia on the West Coast, King Country. It is an area that we continue to cherish.
I was previously a Curriculum Leader at Tui Whare (2012-2016) and am very excited to return to this beautiful philosophy and way of being with tamariki. I hold a graduate diploma of teaching ece, post graduate diploma in education along with a Steiner ECE diploma. My role is of a dual nature, supporting our Kaiako and tamariki on the floor as well as managing the operational side of things alongside our Team Leader.
Cheryl
Team Leader:
Hi, my name is Cheryl and I have been caring and nurturing the children of Kowhai Tui Childcare for the past ten years. I have a degree in Childcare and a Steiner teaching diploma, both of these have educated me in following my desire to help our young children learn and grow from the environment in which we live in. I am the mum of two grown up daughters and two grandsons, one of whom attends Tui Whare. I enjoy waking up in the morning to come to work and feel a great satisfaction on the joy and learning I have helped your children achieve. Arohanui.
Stephanie
Teacher: Tui Whare
Kia Ora, my name is Stephanie. I have worked at Kowhai Tui Childcare for the last 10 years. I currently hold a degree in Early Childhood Education and am currently studying for my diploma in Steiner Education.
I have been married for the last 5 years and have an amazing stepson.
I enjoy learning and growing alongside the children and exploring ways in which I can expand their learning and development in their everyday lives. (:
Olivia
Teacher: Kowhai Whare ~ Toddlers
I first started teaching Early Childhood Education in the Toddler room at Tui whare in 2015. Since then, I have trained in Primary Teaching and taught at Endeavour and Waikato Waldorf Schools. I have experience working with tamariki from 1 years old to 11 years old.
I have a 3 year old son Beau who goes to Tui whare and has been enrolled here for the last 2.5 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him thrive here.
I am a huge advocate for the Steiner philosophy and am always continuing to learn and develop my understanding and knowledge to ensure the best for all tamariki.
Rajita
Teacher: Kowhai Whare ~ Nursery
Namaste, my name is Rajita and I am from India. I started teaching here last August as a reliever and now am a full-time permanent teacher. I have two sons, ages 8 and 12 and they are enrolled in a local school. I am passionate about children and supporting children with their learning and developmental needs.
Anna
Teacher: Kowhai whare ~ Toddlers
I have been working as an Early Childhood Teacher for the last 13 years; this journey has taken me down many different roads and even over the ocean to work and expand my knowledge.
I have a 2-year-old daughter, Emily and a 11-year-old stepdaughter, Leah.
I have always held a passion for allowing our tamariki to unfold in their own time, allowing them the space, guidance and love to grow into their own unique selves.
Victoria
Teacher: Kowhai whare ~ Toddlers
I have been working at Kowhai whare for the last 8 years on and off while on maternity leave. I have two beautiful boys; Wyatt who is 7 and Beau who is 4 and currently at Tui whare. I enjoy being able to watch and nurture tamariki in their play while also being able to see the magic and wonder unfold through their eyes.
Jess
Teacher: Tui Whare
Hi, I'm Jess, I've been a teacher in Tui whare for the past year and a half. I have spent my whole life in Steiner Education. I went to the Waikato Waldorf School up the road until year 8 and then went to high school. I missed the loving Steiner community and way of doing things, so I came back to Kowhai whare as a reliever and soon started full time. I absolutely love working here spending my days with your awesome tamariki. I couldn't think of anywhere I’d rather work.
Justine
Centre Cook:
Justine has been with us over twelve years as our beloved and quirky chef! She adores working with the children and cooking for them. Justine enjoys maintaining our veggie gardens too! She also supplies a selection of chutneys, lemon honey and hummus. She has two daughters and two grandsons.
Laura
Teacher: Kowhai whare ~ Nursery
Laura has worked as a Qualified Teacher at Kowhai and Tui since 2012 and has been teaching since 2005. She is married and has two children, one who attends Tui Whare. She is a wonderfully reverent teacher who knew that she wanted to be a part of early childhood education that protects childhood and fully embraces the child holistically. Laura is studying towards her Steiner Teaching Diploma.
Bhawna
Teacher: Kowhai whare ~ Nursery
Bhawna has come to New Zealand from her native India as an experienced primary trained teacher who is currently studying for her graduate diploma of teaching ECE. She has been supporting our youngest group of tamariki for the past 2 years. This year she has gained her NZ primary teacher registration, creating a new permanent home for herself and husband in Aotearoa.
Yvonne
Office and Accounts Administrator
Yvonne has worked for the centre since 2012 . She has been a big part of our Waldorf community with her 3 grown children all attending the kindergarten and school beginning in 2004.
Yvonne brings a lovely presence to this place and is always more than happy to help our parents and team out where she can.