Our People — Kumeū | Oma Rapeti ELC

Our People — Kumeū

Shannon

Centre Manager
My name is Shannon Docherty, I have been working at the centre since it’s opening in January 2020 and have been a part of the ECE sector for the last 8 years. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching and encompass a huge passion for the Montessori approach to learning. I believe the role of Early Childhood Education is to provide our youngest citizens with strategies that foster the development of the whole child. If nurtured emerging skills such as emotional, social, and cognitive development provide our tamariki with a kete of knowledge which will enable them to become lifelong learners.

Poipoia te kakano Kia puwai, nurture the seed and it will blossom.

Jane

2IC
My name is Jane, I have a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE); and have been in the sector for nearly a decade.Coming from a biomedical and neurological sciences background, I believe in the importance of the first five years of children’s lives - how their early experiences impacts brain development and therefore their later years - and this continuously strengthens my resolve to keep learning to be able to contribute towards positive outcomes for the youngest children and their families. Over the years, I find my teaching philosophy becoming simpler and simpler - today, it can be summed up in two words: kindness and respect.

Robyn

Burrow Team Leader (Under 2s)
Kia Ora, my name is Robyn. I was born in Cape Town, South Africa and have two beautiful children; my daughter Skye and son Rome who you may see running around the centre. I hold a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, working with our young citizens since 2014. I value and view children as a community of competent, confident and active learners. I really enjoy working with children and have found a new passion working alongside our youngest ones. I am looking forward to getting to know your little ones and whānau in the Burrow.

Basia

Crishani

Nimlesh

Poppy

Carmi

Rea

Stacey

Toddlers Team Leader (1-3yrs)
Kia Ora, my name is Stacey and I am Lead Kaiako in the Rabbit Hole. I graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching in 2016 and have been in ECE for over 10 years spending most of these years working alongside 3-5 year olds. I have a passion for the Reggio Emilia Approach which has helped to guide my philosophy over the years alongside respect and kindness towards all learners. I understand that our children learn in different ways and at different speeds and aim to find the best ways to support each individual learner during their time with us in the Willow Tree. I also have a strong love for art and messy play, I enjoy finding new and exciting ways to explore and learn through both these mediums and you will often find me alongside the children getting messy.

Bex

Sarah

Navneet

Michelle

Rae

Rania

Cass

Cheena

Preschool Team Leader (3-5yrs)
I have been fortunate enough to be teaching whilst also being taught alongside our most precious Taonga for the past 15 years. Yes, you heard right! As an educator we are always learning too. I love the outdoors, especially the country life and am a firm believer in being present! This invites trust, communication, time which in turn creates a healthy educational relationship that carries on throughout our children’s learning journey. No day is the same, everyday rises with its challenges and accomplishments then were reflect and embrace the journey, we reset and start again! I look forward to working with your tamaiti and being apart of their Oma Rapeti Journey.