I have lived and worked in Wānaka for 10 years, settling here with my husband Jason and son Luka. Prior to living in Wānaka, we returned from 8 years in Wellington and a 5 year OE stint based in the UK. We chose Wānaka because of the wonderful outdoor environment (let’s keep it this way) and close proximity to family, which has resulted in us finding our forever home!
Previously, I taught at the wonderful Hāwea Flat School (in the roles of AP, team leader and teacher). My passion for incorporating children’s interests, investigating rhythms, systems, and wonderings underpins my life in the classroom. The magic for me lies in connecting children to their lives as they make sense of it and the local environment. I love partnering with children to build new knowledge whilst solving problems and developing emotional, academic and social literacies.
We teach who we are and you will find me doing a few key things: hanging out with my family, riding my bike, devouring a pile of books on my bedside table, or tinkering with with our classic car. What makes an impression seeks expression! I look forward to meeting you and unleashing the potential future successes of the learners who make up the Take Kārara family.
I am so thrilled to have joined the team at Te Kura o Take Kārara. Our family recently moved to Wānaka from Ōtautahi Christchurch where I retrained as a teacher. Prior to that I enjoyed time at home with our son George and several years working in sustainability and environmental policy. Our family is soaking up this incredible environment and we are quickly learning what a fabulous community Wānaka has!
Ensuring my class offers a safe, supportive space while scaffolding students to learn skills, regulate emotions and experience success as a learner is important to me. Connection and relationship is at the heart of it – with our environment and each other – as we coach through play and explicit teaching opportunities.
Outside the classroom, you are likely to find me out and about exploring the hills, pottering down by the lake with family and friends, and getting involved in community and environmental projects. I always have a lot of projects on the go and love to keep learning and challenge myself, whether that is deepening my knowledge of te reo me ōna tikanga Māori, learning guitar, sewing or knitting projects.
Appointed as needed
I am a teacher who is passionate about equipping children with the knowledge and skills to be creative and passionate life-long learners. I enjoy integrating the interests of individual learners into their learning programs to engage and invigorate their learning experience. In class, I have high expectations for all learners and enjoy celebrating success with humour and fun.
When I am not at school I like to get out into the great outdoors. I am a keen hunter and fisherman as well as being a fan of all things sporting. I try to fit in a little of each around spending the majority of my free time with my beautiful wife and young family.
I am enjoying the opportunities that working in a growing school provides. Working in flexible, future-focused learning spaces is providing many positive chances for our young learners, which I love being involved with.
Kia ora koutou! My professional journey has been shaped by a diverse background in media and communications, seasoned by adventures in travel, hospitality, and the joys of raising my own children. I am thrilled to embrace my passion for education and continue my journey with Te Kura O Take Kārara.
During my teacher training, I enjoyed working in the ‘Educate for Nature’ programme of Te Kākano, where I honed my skills working with students spanning from preschool to college age. This experience solidified my commitment to place-based learning and fostering a deep connection with nature.
In my classroom, I celebrate the uniqueness of each student while promoting a collaborative and supportive atmosphere. At the heart of my teaching is the belief that trusting relationships form the foundation of a thriving learning environment. I am dedicated to nurturing creativity, a love for learning, and a growth mindset.
Beyond the classroom, I love being outdoors, indulging my love for cooking and baking, and pursuing DIY home and garden projects. All of this is double the fun with my family
Kia ora! I feel very privileged to be a foundation teacher at Take Kārara, working alongside such a passionate and dedicated team.
I grew up in Dunedin and spent every summer as a child camping in Wānaka, so am thrilled to now be living and teaching in such a beautiful place. I started my teaching career at Highfield school in Timaru, teaching in the junior syndicate. My strengths lie in Numeracy, Literacy and The Arts. My goal is to make learning as fun and engaging for children as possible. I love to see their personalities, confidence and independence grow throughout the year, and enjoy discovering their individual passions and motivations and using these to lead our learning.
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with family and friends, baking, reading, dining out, and getting creative with my art and sewing. I love spending my summers at the lake swimming, paddle boarding and picnicking, and look forward to snowboarding in the winter season.
Kia ora! I am delighted to be joining Take Kārara. It’s exciting to be working alongside such a welcoming and passionate team of teachers and the wider community.
Ko wai au? Who am I? My name is Charlotte and I have called Wānaka home since the age of three. After leaving Mount Aspiring College, I went on to study my BSc in Ecology and Zoology in Dunedin. I then spent five years working in outdoor guiding and education roles in Aotearoa and Australia. This was when I truly discovered my passion for education and working with children. While hiking in Iceland, I decided to follow my love for teaching and enrolled in a postgraduate teaching degree in Dunedin. I have recently spent two years teaching in Ōamaru.
I am thrilled to be back home in Wānaka and working with tamariki at Take Kārara. Relationships are a top priority for me, and I look forward to connecting with each member of the class and kura. Through strong relationships I believe you can make learning relevant and real for tamariki to connect to – and learning becomes fun and exciting! Outside of teaching, I enjoy getting into the outdoors with whānau and friends, reading, painting, crocheting, and getting involved in conservation work.
I look forward to meeting you all and becoming a member of the Take Kārara whānau.
I am loving being back in Wānaka and feel privileged to be a part of such a passionate and talented team here at Take Kārara. My favourite part of teaching is getting stuck into hands-on projects that contribute to the world around us, especially when we need to combine multiple subject areas to succeed. I am also really excited about how well the Enviroschools curriculum integrates with our own local curriculum and school values and look forward to some engaging projects in that area too.
When I’m not at school you can find me climbing at Hospital Flat, tramping up the Matukituki Valley, mountain biking in Sticky Forest, skiing in the hills or at home playing my guitar and singing. If you see me at school or out and about in Wānaka, feel free to say hello!
I am excited to be returning to Take Kārara this year in a part time capacity. This year I will be releasing teachers mainly across the Weka space as well as supporting teachers with Garden to Table. Over my teaching career I have worked in NZ and Australia from kindergarten – Year 6, as well as a Nature Play Specialist Teacher.
My family and I have been in Wanaka for 8 years now and can’t think of a better place to raise our 3 young children. When not working I love a splash in the lake, climbing up a mountain or camping at some of our favourite spots.
I feel so lucky to be working at a school that aligns so well with my teaching philosophy, particularly around play and place-based learning. It is a privilege to be a part of your child’s learning journey where I can support them in becoming curious, courageous, and connected life-long learners.
I have lived in Wanaka for 18 years alongside my husband and 3 children, Eve, Max and Quinn. Growing up in Central Otago (Alexandra), I have always had a love of this uniquely beautiful region, so after returning from overseas travel, my husband and I jumped at the opportunity to live here. Outside of the classroom I enjoy walking up Mt Iron, reading, cooking, spending time with family and friends and my new pastime of standing on the sideline of both my boy’s football games, which I have grown to really enjoy.
In the classroom I enjoy creating a learning environment which allows children to take risks and be interested and engaged, and love to see the learning that naturally follows. I believe that relationships are key and enjoy taking time to get to know the individual learner and understand their individual learning style and needs. I never tire of the joy and reward that working with children brings.
Jill is currently on maternity leave.
Brenna is currently on maternity leave.
