Maria Tuiā – Pemerika

ELC Team Leader/Professional Leader

From Maria:

Talofa Lava! I am a New Zealand-born Samoan, born and raised in Glen Innes, East Auckland. My husband PJ and I have 5 children and bought our house in Papakura in 2018. Papakura is now our home and we love it here.

I come from a family of Early Childhood Educators, so my passion for working alongside children started at a very young age. I have over 18 years' experience working in the Early Childhood Sector. I have been in leadership and management roles in a variety of Early Childhood settings. From Kindergartens, Community-based centres, privately owned centres and Early Learning Centres under a large organisation. I am a fully registered and qualified Educator, and an Associate Teacher for teachers in training.

I believe in respective practice and that my role as a Kaiako is to support and foster children’s learning, engagement and wellbeing in order for them to flourish.

 

Lalupe Lolesi

ELC Teacher

From Lalupe:

TALOFA!

My name is Lupe and I have been working in Early Childhood for 10 years and am currently in my last year of study, towards a Bachelor of Education with Open Polytechnic.

My teaching practice and philosophy is culturally influenced in where I value respectful relationships that are guided with LOVE and RESPECT. I love that each child comes with their own kete of knowledge and the unique way in which they see and interpret their world. It is my hope that I am able to walk alongside children and their families, as we support them to blossom into confident, secure, life-long learners.

I look forward to meeting you all!  Alofa atu.

   

Lynda Woodgate

ELC Teacher

From Lynda:

Kia Ora! My name is Lynda, I am a single mum of two teenagers, and I grew up in Papakura, and have spent most of my adult life here. At home, we have lots of different animals, two dogs, two cats, three guinea pigs, five pet mice, and many fish. I enjoy walking my dogs, which is helping me get fitter. Before COVID, I loved travelling to see how other cultures live and places that are important to them.

I have been teaching for eight years in both Primary Schools and Early Childhood Centres. I find the most exciting thing about teaching is helping children reach their full potential. I believe that this relationship starts with a strong foundation of learning based on reciprocal relationships, social skills, curiosity, cultural awareness and knowledge of where they come from to help guide them to where they are going. I believe learning can be fun, interesting and starts where the child is.