Kia ora koutou e te whānau

 

Ko Michelle toku ingoa.

My name is Michelle.

 

I live locally in Beckenham with my husband, two children and our dog, Dudley. I was born in Lower Hutt but have spent most of my life living here in the South Island. The majority of my formulative years were spent growing up here in Ōtautahi / Christchurch. I was living in the United Kingdom for 9 years and this is where I met my now husband.

 

I have been working in early childhood for 30 years now. Over that time, I have worked both here and in the United Kingdom in a variety of roles including management, curriculum leadership, Head of Foundation Stage, and play specialist but the role I most enjoy is being a kaiako.

 

If I was to describe my teaching philosophy in one sentence it would be ‘a tōna wā’ / in their own time. Each tamariki is unique. It is therefore my job as kaiako, to know each tamaiti well. Only then, and in partnership with their  whānau, can I then ensure that I am intentionally providing quality learning opportunities to support and develop their uniqueness further.

 

'He māramatanga tō tēnei whetū, he māramatanga anō tō tērā whetū' –

'Every star has its unique radiance and brilliance'