Meet the team

Our Kaiako

We are committed to employing staff with recognised Early Childhood Education qualifications or those in training towards such qualifications.

All of our Kaiako have up to date First Aid Certificates

All those working within our Centre meet the safety check requirements specified in the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014.

"Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arahia o tatou mahi

Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work". 

Head Teacher

CJ 

Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE).

Full Certification

My Early Childhood  journey began back in 2000 when I started my training at the NZ College of Early Childhood in Christchurch. Moving to Nelson in 2007 I joined the teaching team here at Campus Corner and quickly became very proud to be part of such a dedicated group of kaiako.

Through my daily practice I strive to develop respectful, responsive, reciprocal relationships with the children and their whānau. I believe relationships are at the heart of all we do as kaiako, and it brings me joy to see these flourish within our environment.  I feel it is of upmost importance to provide an environment that is welcoming to all and a place where children can feel as though they are at their home away from home, allowing them to explore and develop at their own pace.

I am very proud to lead a team of kaiako whom all strive to provide similar outcomes for children and their whānau. It is an absolute pleasure to work alongside each and every family here at Campus Corner as their children progress through their individual learning journey.

Infants and Toddlers Kaiako

Teryl

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

Full Certification

Kia ora koutou, ko Teryl toku ingoa

 

My teaching journey began in my hometown of Ōtautahi (Christchurch) in 2001, where I studied towards my Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood Education. I graduated with Honours in 2004 and continued my teaching journey as a qualified and registered teacher, working with toddlers and young children. I made the move to sunny Nelson in 2013 and joined the teaching team here at Campus Corner. I soon discovered that Campus Corner was a good fit with my personal teaching philosophy, working alongside such a dedicated team of kaiako that value the provision of high quality care, education and outcomes for the tamariki within our local community along with creating a strong culture of kindness, reciprocity and respect.

I value warm, reciprocal relationships to be at the heart of what we do, developing strong connections with the tamariki and their whānau. I believe that children learn at their own pace and in their own time, with the appropriate care, support and guidance. Providing an environment that caters to the individual needs and aspirations is therefore of paramount importance and at the forefront of what I do. In more recent years I have enjoyed spending time with the infants and toddlers where I have further developed my knowledge around the importance of primary care and the ways in which we can support the tamariki to develop and flourish with the continued support of their primary carer and buddy teachers.


I am enjoying stretching my skills and knowledge to further support the team as we promote positive outcomes for the children and their whānau.

 

Whakamaua te pae tata kia tina

Take hold of your potential so it becomes your reality

Ngā mihi, Teryl

Emily

Post Graduate Diploma of Teaching ECE

Full Certification

My background is originally in the arts and primary teaching, but after getting a taste of early childhood teaching, I decided it was where I wanted to be. I am passionate about building relationships with the children I work with and fostering their interests and individuality as they build their sense of mana whenua or belonging. 

I believe mana whenua is core to building children’s confidence and self-empowerment, a main building block to their further learning and development.

My interests and skills that I bring to my practise, such as ceramics, horticulture and sculpture I hope to share with tamariki and encourage their curiosity. I value the reciprocal relationships of tuakana teina. Where children and staff are both learners and teachers.  As a beginning teacher I look forward to my journey in teaching but also learning from the tamariki, their whānau and other kaiako at Campus Corner.

 

‘Whakataukī: Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourouka ora ai te iwi’

   With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive

(Kia eke panuku. 2016)

Ursula

Bachelor of Teaching ECE

Provisional Certification

"He Taonga te mokopuna, kia whangaia, kia tipu, kia rea

A child is a treasure to be nurtured, to grow, to flourish"

 I grew up  in Nelson and I have two wonderful children of my own. I enjoy spending time with my kids, friends and family, being outdoors, going for walks, visiting the beautiful beaches and being among nature whenever I get the chance.

I really enjoy creating positive meaningful relationships with tamariki and their whānau.  Relationships are the foundation of children’s learning and I value respectful reciprocal relationships in an unrushed caring and nurturing environment.

I feel very lucky to be a part of the Campus Corner team where I get to work and learn alongside such amazing teacher’s , tamariki and whānua doing what I love.

Young Children's Kaiako

Tish

Senior Teacher

Diploma of Teaching ECE

Full Certification

Kia ora koutou

My name is Tish, short for Letitia  - I am named after a lake where I grew up at Mt White Station. I have two beautiful girls, Isabella and Amelia and we love living in Sunny Nelson.

 

I have always known I've wanted to teach tamariki, from a young age. I started babysitting for all the neighbourhood children before starting my first job as a full time nanny. I then went on to get my Diploma of ECE in Otautahi/Christchurch. When I graduated I moved to Nelson and accepted my first full time teaching job right here at Campus Corner many years ago! I instantly felt at home with an amazing teaching team.

I was really sad to have to leave when we needed to shift back to Christchurch but I was grateful for the opportunity to be head teacher at a Reggio Emelia preschool there.

 

Two beautiful girls later and lots of relieving at different preschools and Kindergartens I am back in Nelson and loving being back at Campus Corner.

 

The Centre philosophy and gentle kind nature of the dedicated teachers is what keeps drawing me back. I love the culture of kindness and that whanaungatanga is at the heart of everything that Campus Corner represents by developing and nurturing relationships with tamariki and their whanau built on reciprocity and respect.

 

I feel so blessed to be able to work here as Senior Teacher in the Young Children's area and help guide and support tamariki and whānau through their learning journey.

Dominique

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) 

Provisional Certification

Tēnā koutou katoa,

Ko Dominique Cronje ahau,

Nō Āwherika ki te tonga ahau,

Ēngari kei te noho ahau i Whakatū inaianei,

He kaimahi ahau i Campus Corner,

Ko au te kaiako,

Nō reira ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou

Tēnā tātou katoa

 

Kia ora,

 

My name is Dominique. I am originally from South Africa but have called New Zealand home for the past 20 years. I moved to sunny Nelson in 2016 after completing my degree in biological sciences. I spent five years working in aquaculture research and development before deciding it was time for a big change.

 

While I thoroughly enjoyed my journey in marine science and aquaculture, I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to switch to early childhood education (ECE), where I can foster a love for the natural world within our tamariki. I began my new journey as a kaiako here at Campus at the end of 2021 and was incredibly lucky to have the support of the team while completing my Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) in 2022.

 

My teaching philosophy is rooted in whanaungatanga, emphasising strong, nurturing, and respectful relationships with tamariki and their whānau. I ensure each child is valued for their unique self and engage in meaningful conversations with whānau to support their learning and development.

 

Guided by Te Whāriki, I strive to create an empowering environment for holistic development, valuing cognitive, physical, emotional, spiritual, and social/cultural growth. The wellbeing of tamariki, whānau, and kaiako is central, with responsive, reciprocal relationships at the core of my practice.

 

I believe that creating a sense of tūrangawaewae, or belonging, within the centre for both tamariki and their whānau is crucial. I enjoy providing opportunities for active contribution and participation, enhancing empathy, self-help, and communication skills. I am passionate about nurturing tamariki’s curiosity through exploration, fostering lifelong learning attitudes.

 

Ngā mihi,

Dominique


Angie

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

Full Certification 

Tēna koutou Greetings to All

It feels very special to be starting this teaching position again where it all begun 21 years ago, on my arrival in Nelson. I love living here in a semi rural area where community is important. I am married with one adult child and until recently our beloved Milo (dog).

I began my journey into Early Childhood Education as a teenager babysitting my nieces and nephews and nannying for my local farming community. At 17 years old I read a news paper article about early childhood teachers and announced to my family that’s what I want to be.

It was after having some life experiences I begun my education journey at Kaori Teachers College where a Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education was available.  After three years of travelling overseas I went back to Teachers College and completed my Diploma of Teaching Education in ECE .

So my journey continues. I am passionate about Mahitahi working together with whānau and kaiako to ensure all tamariki are passionate about education.. We are all on this journey together!

I have been fortunate to spend most of my teaching years working within community based EarlyChildhood Education.

I look forward to making connections getting to know you all and your tamariki, at Campus Corner. Angela (Ange ) Kearns

Tineke

Six Years Teaching Experience

My dream of working in Early Childhood became apparent after having my two beautiful children. I’ve been lucky enough to have spent the past four years as a preschool teacher at centres in Richmond/Nelson working alongside amazing kaiako and tamariki.

If you ask my daughter and son, they will tell you I’m young and goofy at heart. So, you may see me running round the playground playing tag with the kids, building epic sandcastles, and pretending the floor is lava.

I am passionate about creating a safe, fun, learning environment to allow the tamariki to form a sense of self. And I can’t wait to work alongside this amazing team to foster the children’s interests, ambitions and confidence alongside whānau and our community.

I’m so excited to be a part of the Campus Corner team and I’m looking forward to building relationships with the tamariki and whānau in the Centre.

Ngā mihi

Tineke McGee

Lucy

3rd Year Training ECC


I grew up in Nelson, and for the past few years I have been living in Chirstchurch working towards my Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood). I am in my second year of studying and have been working alongside some incredble kaiako and tamariki in Christcurch for the past year.

I enjoy making a fun, creative, and safe environment for the tamariki to flourish and develop new skills. I am really excited to be apart of the Campus Corner whānau and be able to work and learn off some amazing kaiako, tamariki, and whānau.

 


Office Manager

Debbie

NZIM Certificate in Supervisory Management

I have had various administration and financial roles within the education sector (voluntary and paid), including the position of Treasurer at a local Kindergarten and School, and working at NMIT in allowances, loans and enrolments. 

Teacher Support

Leticia

Teacher Support and Relief Teacher

I trained and worked as a Nanny for seven years while living in Wellington before returning to my home town Nelson. 

Relief Teaching Team