Week One photos

Strong learning begins with strong relationships, built through knowing students well and valuing what matters to them. When students’ interests, strengths, and stories are understood, learning becomes more meaningful and engaging. 

Relationships grow deeper when students also know their teacher as a real person with interests, passions, and a love of learning. Sharing personal passions helps build trust and connection, showing students that learning is lifelong and lived beyond the classroom. 

Through a love of the outdoors, learning is often brought to life through stories of my adventures exploring our backyard in Taupō, hiking, fishing, and camping. Through my passion for dance, expression and movement are woven into everyday teaching, showing students learning can be creative, joyful and full of music and rhythm. These shared parts of life outside school help students see that their teacher is authentic. This makes relationships stronger and helps create a classroom where curiosity, confidence, and connection can grow. 

Growing up with a lifelong connection to Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, my passion for education has been shaped by growing up in a small rural community, surrounded by nature and animals. Wairakei Primary feels like home, reflecting the sense of belonging and community that made school such a special part of my childhood.

Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa. Let us keep close together, not wide apart. 

This whakataukī highlights the importance of connection, relationships, and shared journeys. Strong school-whānau partnerships are key to student success and engagement, and being part of the Wairakei community brings excitement for the relationships, learning, and growth ahead.

Fostering a love for learning begins with an environment where every student feels valued, challenged, and inspired. With a focus on high achievement, engaging experiences, and strong relationships, classrooms become spaces where curiosity thrives.

A passion for education drives a commitment to ensuring that all students, each with their own unique strengths and learning journeys. Believing that with support and encouragement, all students will reach their full potential. High expectations, paired with an understanding of emotional regulation and individual learning styles, create opportunities for success in and beyond the classroom.Extensive experience in Wairakei’s unique rural school setting has shaped a deep appreciation for community connections and the role they play in student growth. Whether through hands-on learning, collaborative projects, or memorable experiences, every moment in my classroom is designed to spark enthusiasm, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.

– Anthony J. D'Angelo

My goal is to provide learning opportunities that inspire students to be curious and creative. In a supportive environment students will explore, question and discover elements of the world around them.

Specialising in literacy education has meant I can support students to develop their reading skills. Sharing engaging stories with vibrant illustrations are a stepping stone to creating a range of unique artworks that are displayed with pride.

This hands-on approach is an important part of learning in my classroom. Students discover how words and numbers work using materials. They participate in science experiments, physical activities and creative pursuits. By accepting challenges, taking risks, making mistakes and problem solving students develop an understanding of their capabilities and develop resilience.

When I am not in the classroom I can be found in the garden. It is my connection to the natural world. The time taken to nurture and care for plants is rewarded by experiencing the beauty of flowers blooming and the taste of fresh fruit and vegetables. The sensory connection I have when gardening inspires many art projects in my class. It is important that students believe their ideas and opinions are valued and they have the opportunity to share their personal experiences.  I believe that classrooms  are successful when a collaborative learning environment is created by students, teachers, whānau and the school community working and celebrating progress together.

“It costs nothing to be kind” is a philosophy I live by, both in and out of the classroom. Students are encouraged to adopt this mindset, embracing kindness in all aspects of their lives.

Reading for enjoyment is just as important as reading with purpose. Sharing my passion for books with students is one of the highlights of my teaching, seeing them discover the magic of stories and imagination.

While my love for reading runs deep, my true passion lies in solving mathematical problems. The clarity that maths gives—it’s either right or wrong, and students can immediately identify where they’ve gone astray. This passion for numbers translates into a dynamic classroom where students tackle problems with confidence and curiosity.

Every child deserves a safe space where they feel empowered to take risks in their learning, even when they’re unsure of the answer. There’s nothing more rewarding than witnessing the “lightbulb” moments when students grasp new concepts and exclaim, “Oh, that’s easy now!”

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important to me, and I encourage my students to value their well-being, both physically and mentally. This balance nurtures resilience and a positive outlook.

Just as I admire the beauty of a sunset at the end of a long day, I deeply value the growth in every student. Watching them evolve, gain confidence, and thrive in their learning journey is one of my greatest joys in teaching.

My Journey Through Learning

My pathway into teaching has moved through a range of places, communities, and experiences. Each one has shaped how I think about schools, leadership, and the responsibility that comes with working alongside young people. 

As a farmer's daughter and the son they never had, growing up was filled with time in paddocks and cow pats, not so carefully married with tutus and ribbons. My childhood was the epitome of juxtaposition. Through the transition from small-town Matamata to Hamilton at a young age, the world of learning opportunities had only just begun. I thrived in the chaos of balancing multiple sports and performing arts, my parents filling my mornings and afternoons with swimming, dancing, hockey and everything in between. This chaos and experience then manifested itself in two of my early career opportunities - Swim Coach and Fonterra Laboratory Technician. While adding a buffer to affording life at high school, these experiences also solidified my decision to study at the University of Waikato to become a teacher.

My teaching journey began in Hamilton and then Dunedin, New Zealand, before expanding beyond home shores to international schools in Hong Kong. Working across these contexts provided a wide lens on education. Diverse classrooms, varied curriculum, and strong cultural perspectives reinforced a belief that effective learning environments rely on high expectations, strong relationships, and a deep respect for the communities schools serve.

Returning to New Zealand and settling in the Taupō region brought that experience full circle. The landscapes and communities here hold a strong sense of identity, something that resonates with my approach to education. Schools operate best when students feel connected to where they learn, who they learn with, and why learning matters.

The driving aspect for selecting to join Wairakei Primary School was the leadership focus: strengthening teaching practice, building collaborative staff culture, and ensuring meaningful progress for learners. My experience across multiple year levels and curriculum areas has shaped a broad understanding of curriculum design, assessment for learning, and the importance of partnerships with whānau.

A whakataukī that reflects my approach to teaching, learning and leading is:

Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu

Adorn the bird with feathers so it may soar.

The success of a learner is in the adornment of skills, experiences and support to achieve their potential and fly.

The success of a school never rests with one person. It grows from the shared efforts of students, staff, whānau, and community working toward a school's flight and success.

Every student has a voice, a strength, and a unique path to success. As teachers, our role is to listen, empower, and guide them toward their fullest potential.

Being a teacher is more than just imparting knowledge. It requires passion and dedication. Creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to take ownership of their learning journey is crucial. 

With a student centered approach, I recognise and celebrate the diverse strengths, backgrounds, and learning styles of each individual in my classroom. Academic content is taught alongside skills of collaboration, problem-solving, empathy, and resilience. 

Teaching is not just my profession, it is my passion. By encouraging students' curiosity, critical thinking, questioning and risk taking, students become lifelong learners.

Beyond the classroom, I find inspiration in nature through gardening, where I see parallels between nurturing plants and nurturing young minds. Both require patience, care, and the right environment to flourish. Time spent with my whānau is deeply valued as family is at the heart of my personal and professional values.

Every child thrives in an environment where curiosity is encouraged, confidence is built, and learning feels meaningful. With over 12 years of teaching experience across international and New Zealand settings, a strong focus is placed on creating an inclusive and engaging Year 2/3 classroom where every learner feels supported and valued.

Learning experiences are shaped through inquiry-based and hands-on approaches, helping students build independence, think critically, and develop strong foundations in literacy and numeracy. Differentiated learning ensures that each child is supported and challenged to reach their full potential.

Positive relationships with students and whānau are at the heart of the classroom, creating a sense of belonging where learners feel confident to take risks and celebrate their progress. Storytelling, creativity, and real-world connections are woven into daily learning to make each experience meaningful and engaging.

A passion for wellbeing, nature-based learning, and creativity continues to inspire classroom experiences beyond the curriculum.

Developing confident, capable, and resilient learners remains central to teaching practice, alongside a strong commitment to the Wairakei Primary School community.