Meet the Team of Thriving kids
At Thriving kids Massey, we hire passionate, dedicated and caring teachers who are committed to making a difference in children’s lives. Take a look below to learn more about our team, and reach out with any questions.
Centre manager
Registered
Children for me are individuals with a whole lot of potential and creativity, and I like to be the motivator that can bring out these potentials and makes the children realise their strengths. Being the children’s advocate is what I aim and strive for every day. I also work towards maintaining an open and strong relationship with the parents and whaanau of the centre. Empowering my staff and assisting them to reach their full potential is my passion too.
Meet the Team of the Kiwi Room
kiwi room 0-2 years old.
Sonika Bhatia
Kiwi room Head Teacher
Registered
I am passionate about teaching and have a vibrant, friendly, and nurturing personality. I love the opportunity to share my experience and adventure with your child about the world of learning. I would strive to enhance their learning experiences by getting to know them and their whanau and what they are interested in. I look forward to making a positive impact in your whanau and child's life where our young learners are empowered to as competent and confident learners.
Lalanya Mansell
Kiwi room
Provisionally Registered
Kia ora koutou, my name is Lalanya you can call me Lani, I am incredibly passionate about teaching our young tamariki. I strongly believe in working side by side with whānau to support the tamariki to grow into competent and confident learners. I believe in creating a warm and inviting enviroment where whānau and tamariki feel the center is a safe place where they can learn and grow together. Aroha nui.
Brianna Burgess
Kiwi Room Teacher
My name is Brianna. I am a mother of 3 beautiful girls. I am a teacher in the baby's room; however, I have not studied ECE, but I have grown to learn and develop new abilities and opportunities, not just for myself but for the children as well. It has been my goal to have a better understanding of child development, how they deal with their emotions, and how to communicate with each child. Being able to work as a teacher and learn how to communicate with each child is important because it will let children feel comfortable within the setting as well as myself.
Lakshmi Velaverthipathi
Kiwi Room Student Teacher
My name is Lakshmi Velaverthipathi
I am most delighted to work with your tamariki and be a part of their learning journey.
I want to be a teacher because I value empathy, kindness, and respect towards tamariki. I believe they must be provided with a caring and loving environment to learn and grow. I am always fascinated by how children are always curious and inquisitive to know and learn things at an early age! This inspires me to interact with them and utilize skills to the best of my ability to help them in their holistic development
Narmatha Ragunath
Kiwi Room Teacher
Meet the Team of the Tui room
2-3 Years old
Robyn Peet
Tui Room Head Teacher
Registered
I have been involved in early childhood education for over 30 years, where I was heavily involved with my younger children in Playcentre. I have completed my Bachelor of Teaching and I am a fully registered teacher.
I love working with children and parents and believe in developing strong partnerships to achieve the best possible learning outcomes for the children in our care. My core philosophy is 'Parents are the first and best educators of their children.
Chloe Sterk
Tui Room
Registered
I believe that all children have strengths and potentials. I also believe that they have their own strategies of learning. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to help them recognise and unlock their strengths and potentials for them to thrive. This can be done by having respectful relationships with the children and also by making a nurturing learning environment that helps the children develop their skills holistically I also believe that all children are competent and confident learners.
Losa Peteli
Tui Room Teacher
My passion is teaching, and I love to be around children of all age groups. I believe that
the early years of the child's development is crucial as this is the time that tamariki
explore and discover. I aim to create a safe yet challenging, inviting and positive environment that reflect on the holistic approach to learning. I acknowledge working collaboratively with all tamariki, teachers, family/whānau to ensure that a high quality of education is provided with in the early childhood settings.
Angel Moungatonga
Tui Room student Teacher
I believe that all children are capable and competent learners. As early childhood educators, it is crucial to recognise the interests of children and extend on these interests to support their holistic development and learning. Children require a learning environment that empowers them and allows them to take ownership over their play. Early childhood teachers should construct an environment that is intentional, respects children’s choices, and is inclusive of all children. Children must also feel recognised and as teachers it is important that we acknowledge their diverse backgrounds and incorporate this in their learning environment. In conclusion, children feel safe, respected and empowered and can reach their fullest potential.
Meet the Team of the Pūkeko room
3-6 years
Judy Kalopa
Head Teacher of Pūkeko
Registered
I have 14 years teaching experience and am the head teacher in the Pukeko room plus the 2IC of the centre. I am a fully registered kaiako.
My learning journey has enabled me to develop experience with babies, toddlers and preschool aged children. I am especially passionate about preschool-aged children.
I believe in Te Tiriti O Waitangi and will endeavour to uphold this in everything I do as a professional.
I want our tamariki to have great experiences during their time with us.
Waimirirangi Paterson
I have no formal training in the ECE sector, but I have been working with tamariki ages 0-10 since I was in high school. I have worked with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers at TK Massey.
The cultural values that I was brought up with underpin my personal philosophy as an early childcare kaiako. I work to make sure Te Tiriti o Waitangi is upheld in my everyday practice by placing an emphasis on Te Ao Maori. I also believe that every tamaiti has an inherit right to play and be listened to.
Isabel Baeza
I believe in using positive reinforcement and role modelling as tools for our tamariki while they learn how to further develop empathy, sensitivity, respectfulness and confidence towards their environment and people. I aim to enrich their lives and learning by providing tamariki with knowledge and skills through play.
I believe that we assist children to develop a firm foundation for future learning which will help enable them to grow and become a part of society.
Subhadra Devi Velaverthipathi
Pūkeko Room Teacher
I believe each child is so special with inherent qualities. I look for opportunities to share my knowledge, skills, and creativity, where children can explore according to their interests and their whanau aspirations. I am passionate about teaching, creative arts, music and cultural programs. I am a person with a kind, friendly attitude, looking forward to working with your child/children and aspiring to bring a positive impact to all tamariki.
Euler de Guzman
Pūkeko Room Student Teacher
My teaching philosophy gives significance to fostering a nurturing environment where each tamaiti feels valued and respected. Embracing the uniqueness of each tamaiti is important as they are foundations to their learning and development. As a kaiako, I promote exploration and independence by encouraging tamariki to be curious, ask questions, and discover the world around them. I believe that tamariki will thrive through the positive guidance of kaiako, whānau, and community.
Ariella Dunning
Pūkeko Room Teacher Aid
Hello, my name is Ariella Dunning. I am a support worker for the Pukeko team. I assist with putting artwork in children’s folders, setting out lunch and general tidy up. I enjoy my role and have been at Thriving Kids Massey since 2015.
Meet the Cooks
The cooks of Thriving Kids
Centre cook
Yvonne Rudolph
Centre cook
Pania Poa