With 35 years of dedicated service in Early Childhood Education (ECE), my journey has taken me through various settings, including a fulfilling decade at Playcentre, followed by two decades proudly managing Highbury House ELC. What ignites my passion for teaching is the art of storytelling, the creativity of drama, the empowerment of literacy, and the cultivation of curiosity. I believe in fostering environments where both children and teachers alike develop a positive self-view and are inspired to reach their full potential. Beyond the classroom, my life is enriched by my 34-year partnership with Carl, our three grown children, and now with the anticipation of our first grandbaby. Our Labrador fur baby adds joy to our household. In the moments between, I find solace and enrichment in the pages of books, the narratives of movies, the melodies of music, the creation of culinary delights, and the ongoing pursuit of knowledge. But above all, I cherish the connections made through shared moments with friends and family.

I trained as a dental surgeon at Otago University and worked as a dentist for 13 years. After having my three children, I re-trained as an early childhood teacher and have been at Highbury House ELC for 14 years. I am passionate about families and children and love being part of a child’s early years, which are foundational to their development and learning. I love supporting children in developing skills to understand and manage their emotions, build strong relationships, and navigate the world with empathy, resilience, and confidence. Encouraging them to wonder, investigate, question, and try new things is exciting. Born in South Africa, I moved to New Zealand at 12. I’m married to Bart, and we have two daughters, a son, and two mischievous Burmese cats. Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, hiking, cycling, reading, and spending time with family and friends. I’m also learning Dutch, which is fun and useful as my husband is from the Netherlands, and I’m always excited about traveling to Europe!

I have been teaching in community ECE for 8 ½ years. Before this, I spent nearly a decade at Playcentre with my three children, where I found my passion for teaching. Previously, I was a fashion designer specialising in swimwear and activewear. What I love most about teaching is forming authentic relationships with tamariki and whānau and having fun. My passion is visual arts and storytelling. I enjoy encouraging creativity and curiosity in tamariki and watching their imaginations soar. I am from Auckland, Tāmaki Makaurau. I've been married to Noel for 27 years, and we have three children, two cats, and lots of guppie fish. We love camping at Whananaki, where we surf, trek, swim, fish, and relax. In my spare time, I enjoy painting, handcrafts, belly dancing, and photography—especially nature and family moments. I also love bush walks and reading.