Our People
The Courtyard Montessori Preschool has six highly experienced teaching staff with over forty years' combined teaching experience. All teachers have a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood Education and a Montessori Diploma or are in the process of receiving these qualifications.
My association with early childhood began when I attended Playcentre with my oldest son nineteen years ago. I became hooked on the importance of early childhood learning and development for children through early childhood experiences within the early childhood sector. I initially studied child development and became a Playcentre Supervisor whilst my children were young. However it was the philosophy of Maria Montessori that really grabbed my attention after experiencing the philosophy and method while on my overseas travels some years earlier. When the opportunity to study toward the Montessori Diploma presented itself here in Christchurch I grabbed the moment and graduated with the Montessori Diploma in 1995. I commenced work at the Courtyard Montessori Preschool in a teaching capacity soon after and I have been happily working at the preschool ever since.
After several years working as a teacher within the preschool I successfully applied for a senior teacher position and worked closely with the two previous principals in both a teaching and administrative capacity. I hold an Early Childhood Diploma and Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE), and am always looking for further challenges. I became Principal of the Courtyard at the beginning of 2005 when our long serving teacher and Principal decided to step down. I have enjoyed the many and varied roles the position of Principal has afforded me and I continue to look forward to the continuing challenges and changes embracing the early childhood sector.
Kia Ora, and welcome to our website. I have been a member of the fantastic teaching team at the Courtyard since 2001. I began here as a part time teacher and have gradually increased my teaching time and role to this point in time, where I teach 5 mornings and 3 afternoons per week, in Room 2.
I currently hold the Aperfield Montessori Teaching Diploma and a Diploma of Teaching (ECE). We regularly involve ourselves in a wide variety of Professional Development programmes and enjoy attending Montessori Conferences.
The Courtyard is a wonderful preschool to be involved with; we have a strong sense of community, valuing our families, teaching team and Board of Trustees as part of the preschool's friendly environment.
I live with my two daughters in Waltham, and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
My passion for children started 20 years ago in Germany. After my initial training as an educator and several years of a variety of work experiences in education, I continued with my studies training as an occupational therapist.
This was my first contact with the Montessori equipment and I am still fascinated by the logical and didactic purpose of each piece of apparatus. The beautiful Montessori classroom supports me as teacher to provide a holistic and unique learning opportunity for each individual child.
As the parent of two young school children I feel empowered by the Montessori philosophy in my effort to raise independent, enthusiastic, peace orientated people who develop a desire for life and learning.
As a woman I feel inspired by Dr Maria Montessori who was a strong advocate for the improvement of human rights and importance of worldwide peace and respect. She was an inspiring and powerful personality, whose leading vision on education is still very valid.
In 1994, I migrated with my husband from Germany, attracted by the Kiwi lifestyle. I did not want to give up my strong passion for teaching and added another few years of studying towards the completion of my Montessori Diploma, Early Childhood Diploma in Teaching and Learning, and a Bachelor in Teaching and Learning.
In my spare time, I enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, tramping, travelling and always love a good coffee and a laugh.
Qualifications - Montessori Diploma, London, graduated 1992; Certificate in Managing a Day Nursery, Dublin, 1999. Future - 2006, studying towards Early Childhood Diploma of teaching and learning.
Kia ora. I moved to New Zealand in 1999, along with my husband and two daughters. I said goodbye to Ireland and off we set on a great adventure. My life is very comfortable and enjoyable in New Zealand and I am now back in the work field having spent five years at home with my children.
I have worked with children from as far back as I can remember and in 1992 completed my Montessori teacher training. Since then I have had the pleasure of working in many Montessori schools and have gathered great experience along the way. I am coming to the end of my second year of study towards the Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning.
From my very early teens I started babysitting, looking after two children and at the age of 16, I was offered a nanny position in the US over two American summers. This was a great experience for me and made me realise that working with children was definitely a career I wanted to work in, and to be successful in this career I needed to obtain my qualifications.
In 2000 I was accepted at Rangi Ruru, with the goal in mind to obtain my Nanny Certificate. This I achieved and made some great friends that I still have today. At the end of 2000, I was offered a very good nanny job, which made me return to the workforce for a couple of years. In those two years, I gained some fantastic experience in working with a wide variety of children and families with whom I still keep in touch.
In 2003 due to a job ending, I returned to Rangi Ruru to complete my diploma of Early Childhood Teaching. This I found very scary joining a new class, but I soon settled in and really enjoyed meeting a group of new people. While studying at Rangi Ruru I experienced a practical teaching placement at St Andrews and really enjoyed learning all about the Montessori Method of teaching. After finishing this placement, I had the opportunity to commence the Diploma of Montessori Education. I graduated from Rangi Ruru in November 2005 and had already obtained a position working at Airdmhor Montessori where I taught for 18 months. I have now completed my Diploma of Montessori Education and I am looking forward to sharing new experiences as a teacher at the Courtyard.
I love being involved with children because they are full of surprises and information and they are very willing to learn. There is also nothing more rewarding than watching children grow, develop and progress through life.
My association with the Courtyard began in May 2005 when my British husband and I enrolled our daughter upon our return from living in the UK. By the time our daughter was due to start Primary School a year later I had already applied for the vacant Office Administrator role. I was delighted to be appointed to the position and started working at the Courtyard in May 2006, the same week that my daughter started Primary School.
I have worked in administrative and secretarial positions in Wellington, Auckland and London to senior level, since 1982. However, after spending 18 years working for a large multi-national company (both in NZ and the UK), I relish the Courtyard environment where teaching staff, Board members and parents alike work so hard for the collective good of the children.
Office hours are from 8:30am - 1.00pm.
