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Our People

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Teresa Heke, Centre Manager

What inspired you to become an early childhood teacher?

It was a natural decision for me to pursue a career in the early childhood profession. It’s second nature to me to form a natural bond with young children. I consider myself very privileged to have the patience and passion to work with young children. My hope is that the children I work with grow to become very successful people and make positive contributions to society.

What do you love most about what you do?

Helping our future generation of Aotearoa to receive high quality education so they experience a great start to their promising future!

What are three things that make Learning Adventures Maraenui special?

Our dedication and commitment to Te Tiriti O Waitangi – Our Kaupapa underpins the values of Te Ao Maori. Our effort to ensure our local curriculum encompasses our wider community and relationships within it. Our centre has a whanau feel where everyone who enters feels welcomed and comfortable.

What is your favourite time of the year at the centre?

June because this is the Maori new year Matariki, a special time of the year that brings people within our learning community together to celebrate a meaningful event.

What is your ECE philosophy?

I am passionate about ensuring our tamariki reach their full potential. I pride myself in building strong relationships within our learning community so our children experience a responsive curriculum and environment that empowers them to be curious and inquisitive explorers. 

Diploma in Early Childhood Education

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Julie Wardle, Teacher

Kia ora my name is Julie Wardle and I am a fully qualified, registered teacher here at Learning Adventures Maraenui, where I have been for almost ten years.

I have worked in E.C.E in different sectors, from a full-time in-home nanny to working in a range of centres for over 20 years where I have developed my own philosophy. 

 

My passion for working with tamariki has been a part of my life since I was young and it has just become stronger as my knowledge has grown. 

The reason I love working at Learning Adventures Maraenui is because it is a centre with a team that has all the tamariki at the heart of all they do; building solid relationships with not just the tamariki but with their parents, whãnau and caregivers. We really know our tamariki as individuals, their interests and how they learn and develop through play. Instilling in them the belief that each of them are precious, unique, strong and they can achieve anything. Filling their buckets everyday with the knowledge they need to succeed, 100%. 

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Nanaka Iseyama, Teacher

Kia ora! My name is Nanaka. I’m from Japan and have lived in Canada where I studied Early Childhood Education. I came to New Zealand in August of this year right after the border opened. I am currently living with my boyfriend and his family. We enjoy going camping together and I often get to do a lot of sightseeing on our trips. Working as an Early Childhood Educator has been my dream since I was a young girl. I’m enjoying every moment I spend with the awesome tamariki at Learning Adventure Maraenui.

Children are mighty fast learners and full of so much potential. I want to be an educator who creates a trusted, safe, and fun learning environment for Tamariki. Every day here I endeavour to show strong manaaki for the children and to be not only a teacher but a friend to them all.

 

I love cooking, crafting, working out, singing, traveling, and playing instruments (especially piano).  My family and friends always say to me “Nanaka, you're always smiling😊” . I hope that I can share my smile with others.

I’m looking forward to getting to know Tamariki and Whanau at Learning Adventure Maraenui!

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Christine Nopera, Cook

Kororia hareruia kia ihoa ō ngā mano

Kia tau te rangimari ingā wā katoa.

 

Ko Te Kao te hou kainga

Ko Māmari te waka

Ko awhitirahi e maunga

Ko Parengarenga te moana

Ko Pōtahi e marae

Ko Waimirirangi, ko Haerekitera te wharenui

Ko Te Rongopātutaonga e wharekai

Ko Te Toko ō Te Arawa te wahi tapu

Ko Te Aopōuri te iwi

 

 Ko au te kai tunu ō tenei wahi ō Maraenui, kei Learning Adventures.

Kei te mahi au i tēnei mahi, hei whangai i ngā tamariki, kia mohio ratou ki te kai hauora.

Ka aroha au ki te hanga kai, me te kie o ngā tamariki me ngā ngakau hoki, e ki ana ngā puku ō ngā tamariki.

 

No reira, tēnā koutou, huri noa tātou kātoa.

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Hayley Jarrett, Van Driver

Hi my name is Hayley.

I am a mother of four sons. I also have four chihuahuas and twelve chickens.

I have been a driver of all shapes and size buses for a number of years. I enjoy getting out and about whether it’s on my push bike, motorbike or motorhome.

I also enjoy reading, baking and gardening.