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.

Alicia

Nest Team Leader (Under 2s)
Kia ora! My name is Alicia. I am the Lead Teacher for the Nest. I have two beautiful girls, Chloe is 9 and Olivia who is 7 months old. I have been in the Early Childhood sector for 17 years. Most of this time I have been in the infant rooms. In my spare time, I like spending time with family and creating memories with them. I look forward to spending time and getting to know you and your beautiful babies!

Poppy

Carmi

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.

Nimlesh

Basia

Crishani

Paige

Hutch Team Leader (1-3yrs)
Kia ora, my name is Paige and I am a proud mum of two children: Jasper who is in the Meadow class and Juno who is in the Burrow. I believe in respectful practices towards the children, parents and teachers. I like to communicate well, give children time and space and create an environment as a third teacher so our children can freely explore, create their own learning with their own theories and ideas. It is really important for me to support our children during the good times and the more challenging times. I am looking forward to being a part of the Hutch whānau and to see all your children flourish as they become capable and competent learners.

Michelle

Sarah

Navneet

Brooke

Stacey

Rabbit Hole Team Leader (2-3yrs)
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.

Cass

Patrick

Rania

Cheena

Willow Tree 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.

Daniel

Nadia

Jashanpreet

Tyler

Amy

Cheyne Marelich

Meadow Team Leader (3-5yrs)
“Kia ora. My name is Cheyne and I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. I am fully registered and qualified teacher. I studied at Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Education (ECE). I am very passionate about teaching and supporting our tamariki to grow and become lifelong learners. I particularly have a passion for supporting children who are preapring for Kura (school) and I oversee the school-readiness programme at Oma Rāpeti Kumeū, which has a big focus on social competency. I look forward to learning alongside your tamaiti and helping to scaffold their learning asthey prepare to continue on their way to success.”