At PMK we have purposefully selected our teachers for their commitment to the Montessori philosophy, their diverse skills, talents and experiences they bring to their role, contributing to the creation of a strong, passionate and committed team.
To us, TEAM means:
Together
Everyone
Achieves
More
PMK teachers see education as a journey not a race. We believe that each teacher is a leader in their strength and our children are both initiators and leaders of learning. We demonstrate collaboration and reflection while actively encouraging and engaging with our community in the learning process.
Our teachers see themselves as partners in discovery and co-constructors of knowledge as we scaffold learning and guide participation. We role model on-going learning, our centre values and respect for each other and our environment.
Shelley (Owner/Manager/Teacher)
Master of Educational Administration (Honours), Massey University, NZ
Diploma of Teaching (Primary), Christchurch Teachers’ College, NZ
Fully Certificated Teacher
Shelley is an onsite owner/manager and teacher who purposefully chose to move from the primary sector where she held a senior leadership role, to the early childhood sector because she wanted to make a difference in early learning through working among our younger learners within the preschool environment. With significant experience in the ‘transition to school process’ and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and several years of teaching internationally within the private sector, she brings both leadership and teaching skills specific to the ‘early years’ of education.
A strong background in the acquisition of early literacy and numeracy skills and a knowledge of what makes for a successful transition to school assists Shelley in ensuring our programme represents our children’s on-going interests and needs. She is committed to reflecting and aligning the Montessori Philosophy within the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki.
Shelley is a parent to three adult daughters and grandparent to four active learners. She understands the joys and challenges of parenting in today’s world!
Canaan (Assistant Manager/Teacher)
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), University of Auckland, NZ
Post-Graduate Diploma of Business (Human Resource Management), University of Auckland, NZ
Bachelor of Arts, University of Auckland, NZ
Fully Certificated Teacher
Canaan’s background prior to joining PMK brings to our team a strong understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach and experience as both a Lead Teacher and a Centre Supervisor. This experience meshes well with our Montessori approach. Canaan holds a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) and a Post-Graduate Diploma of Human Resource Management along with a Bachelor of Arts. Canaan studied Montessori Education for two years with the Aperfield Montessori Trust.
Canaan seeks to facilitate an environment where children feel safe to challenge, query, take risks, ask “why” and explore their skills as natural researchers while engaging in meaning making about their world. She believes in empowering children to make decisions about their learning and in presenting them with provocations to explore new learning.
A parent to two sons and one daughter, Canaan appreciates the “ages and stages” of both pre-schoolers and school aged children, bringing this understanding to her daily work with our PMK tamariki.
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Danny (Teacher)
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), New Zealand Tertiary College, Auckland
Bachelor of International Hospitality Management, Auckland University of Technology
Fully Certificated Teacher
I was 16 when I came to New Zealand from mainland China. I went to High School here in New Zealand before attending university where I obtained a Bachelor of Hospitality Management. A variety of experiences taught me that my passion was not in hotel work but in early education. Consequently, I retrained as an early childhood teacher graduating from the Tertiary College of New Zealand with a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE).
As a male teacher, I believe I provide an excellent role model and in particular I am able to help children extend their personal physical capabilities. Speaking both Chinese (Mandarin) and English I am able to support children who are Chinese and new learners of English while contributing my own experiences of living in a multicultural environment.
Grace (Teacher)
Bachelor of Education (Teaching), University of Auckland
Provisionally Certificated Teacher.
I am pleased to have gained a formal teaching qualification in early childhood education from the University of Auckland. I believe that children’s achievements, curiosity and exploration should be respected and appreciated. Including the idea that the learning environment is an integral part in supporting children learning about the rich world around them, by exploring their own ideas with all members of the learning community. I consider it is my role as an early childhood educator to respond genuinely to children’s interest’s, strengths and their own experiences not only inside the learning environment but also within the wider community.
Through building warm, responsive and reciprocal relationships with not only the child but also their whānau (working collaboratively) in all aspects of early education, purposeful experiences will consequently empower children to see themselves as capable and confident learners.
Luisa (Teacher)
Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), Auckland College of Education.
Bachelor of Arts (Community & Family Studies / Education), University of Otago.
Fully Registered Early Childhood Education Teacher.
Kia ora… Talofa lava… Fakalofa lahi atu… Malo e lelei… Bonjour… Hello!
My name is Luisa Luani. ‘Luisa’ means ‘Famous Warrior’ and it is of Hispanic origin. ‘Luani’ is a noble Tongan name. Running through my blood lines is Samoan, Niuean, Tongan, French and Kiwi heritage. I bring with me the gifts, wisdom and strengths of my family, people and ancestors.
My passion for teaching underlines my beliefs that reciprocal relationships are based on trust and respect which lay the foundation for learning.
Renata (Teacher)
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), University of Auckland
Bachelor of Business, Auckland University of Technology
I am passionate about diversity and embracing the authenticity of each and every child. I believe that by accepting and respecting children for who they are, and by teaching them that everyone is unique and that the uniqueness of each individual adds colour to the world, we are helping them to be confident, respectful and considerate human beings.
I value the respectful, responsive and reciprocal relationships that I build with children, their whᾱnau and my colleagues. I believe that by actively listening and engaging with children, their whᾱnau and colleagues, together we can participate in experiences that are meaningful and enriching to all of us.
I am originally from Brazil and I have a background in Marketing – for many years I worked for one of New Zealand’s leading parenting magazine. I am also the mum of three young children, a girl and twin boys.
