Our Staff

Since beginning teaching in 1985 I have taught in many Primary schools in Southland and South Canterbury, and at all levels. Following a move to Christchurch in 2011 I began teaching in a preschool and studying for a graduate diploma in Early Childhood teaching. My husband and I returned to Timaru in 2016 I joined the Craighead Teaching Team soon after.

We have 3 adult tamariki/children, two perfect daughters-in-law and five beautiful mokopuna/grandchildren.

I enjoy exercising, knitting, reading, music, camping, and playing with my mokopuna.

I feel privileged to be part of the Craighead whānau and community. Our teaching and learning environment is unique, home-like and relaxed, and I love that as a community we are all invested in ensuring the best learning outcomes for all our tamariki.

Born and raised in Timaru, I have lived here all my life, except for a brief stint in Christchurch. I live on a farm just 15 minutes out of Timaru with my husband and two daughters. We have several animals, including two guinea pigs, one cat and one dog, as well as cattle and sheep.

 

In 2004 I completed an early childhood degree via distance learning through the Christchurch College of Education. I spent 18 months working in the nursery at an Early Childhood centre in Timaru as well as being a courier driver for four and a half years, before starting my family in 2010.
When my first daughter Nikayla was nearly three, I enrolled her at Garden Grove Montessori. After she had been attending for a few months I was asked to do some relieving there and within a short time, became a permanent teacher. During my four and half years there I also completed the Montessori Diploma.

 

In 2019 I decided I was ready for a new challenge, which resulted in my taking up a position at Craighead Kindergarten. I really enjoy working as part of the Leadership Team and have learnt a lot in the time I have been at Craighead.

 

The following whakatauki guides my thinking around children's learning and development:

 

Mā ngā huruhuru ka rere te manu

 

It is the feathers that enable the bird to fly

 

The child can be viewed as the bird, and the feathers, the kindergarten community. This includes kaiako, whānau, other tamariki and the wider community. It is how the feathers all align and work together that will allow the bird to fly.

I joined the Craighead Kindergarten Team in late 2012 in the role of Administrator after 20 years of various roles in the rental car industry – and I just love it!!

The Kindergarten is such a positive environment to work in and the children are a delight to be greeted by in the morning and are fabulous at sharing tales of their adventures in and outside of the centre.

I am a mum of two daughters. I enjoy quiet cups of tea with a good read (preferably in a sunny spot) have a keen interest in photography, love spending fun times with family & close friends and having built, decorated & renovated a number of homes since returning to live in Timaru in 2003, I enjoy the process of taking an idea and seeing it come to life.