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Meet the Kaiako: Omahu Road Koru

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Meet the Kaiako: BestStart Omahu Road - Koru

Sara (Head Teacher)
Ko Sara tōku ingoa and I am the Head Teacher for the Koru and Nest Rooms. I have been working at BestStart Omahu since 2019 and have been the Head Teacher here since 2020. I have been teaching for ten-plus years and graduated with my Bachelor of Teaching in 2012.

I am passionate about educating our tamariki to be life-long learners and grow them to build their confidence and sense of self. I work alongside an amazing group of kaiako that are passionate and driven so we can all provide an enriching environment where your pēpi can grow and develop their culture and identity to the full extent. I love seeing the success and being part of the tamariki achieving milestones while working alongside the whānau. To support and grow the connection between us. 

Ko au te pōtiki ō te whānau. I am the youngest of three girls with two amazing nieces and nephews. Ko Waikiaremoana te roto kei te harikoa au ki tēra wāhi. Lake Waikaremoana is where we spent whānau hararei and where I find my happy place. Nō Havelock North āhau. I grew up on a lifestyle block in Havelock North before moving to Hastings. On weekends, I spend times with my whānau and create memories alongside them. 

Rachel
Kia ora, my name is Rachel. I feel honoured to be part of the amazing team at BestStart Omahu. I was born and raised in Napier and am the mother of three beautiful children. It was after having my first child that I discovered my passion for tamariki and knew this was the path I wanted for my future and I went on to study with the Open Polytechnic. 

I have a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and have been involved in Early Childhood Education for 13 years. I am passionate about infants and toddlers and feel a key part of my practice is building reciprocal relationships with tamariki and whānau. My philosophy is teaching through respect, kindness, and patience to support learning outcomes for out tamariki, providing learning opportunities that interest our tamariki through individualised planning. I enjoy working with tamariki and feel it is an absolute privilege to guide and nurture them in this very important stage in their learning and development. 

Mel
Kia ora, my name is Mel and I am very excited to be part of the team at BestStart Omahu. I have ten-plus years' experience in the Early Childhood Education sector. I first started my ECE journey as a reliever and then became part-time permanent. I have worked with both over two's and under two's and really enjoyed being a part of the children's learning journey. I have discovered that I have a passion for working with infants and toddlers. I am a mother of three boys and I love spending quality family time. I am very passionate about having strong relationships with our children and whānau during the child's learning journey. 

Shona
Kia ora, my name is Shona, and I have been teaching in Early Childhood Education sector for over 20 years, beginning at a centre alongside my son who is 22 years old now.

I went on to gain my Diploma then to distance learning while I worked full-time to gain my Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Under two's is my passion but I am flexible to work over all age groups and go where I'm needed.

I love teaching young children, as I enjoy setting them up with all those important skills and abilities for success in their early years and later learning of life skills.