eTeacher Profiles
Ngā Kaiako Kura Tuatahi | Primary e-Teachers
Learning online in our Primary programmes wouldn’t be possible without our wonderful team of e-Teachers.
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Alana March – Languages, Literacy
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Kia ora, bonjour! My name is Alana and I love learning and teaching languages.
I am an NZ registered teacher and for the last seventeen years I have taught intermediate, secondary and tertiary students French and Esol. I have enjoyed studying Italian, Spanish and currently, Te reo Māori.
I live with my husband, two young children, and two labradors in the Western Bay of Plenty. Life is busy but I enjoy working in my garden, cooking, reading and spending time with friends when I can. Learning and teaching languages has enriched my life beyond measure. I look forward to meeting you and sharing my love of language with you!
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Angelika Young – German
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Kia ora und Guten Tag!
I am Angelika Young and am teaching German. I have been a language teacher for about 30 years. Now that I am semi-retired I teach German online only.
I have two sons, one is currently living in Europe and the other is staying with me at times and also living on our farm close by. My days are filled with meeting friends, caring for a veggie garden and a daily yoga practice. I am an active member of our community interest groups like book club, current affairs and music appreciation club. I love nature and the beautiful beaches and hiking possibilities in my area where I walk my dog for hours, rain or shine.
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Carol Reid – Te reo Māori
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Kia ora koutou katoa.
Ko Whaea Carol taku ingoa.
Ko Taupo te moana
Ko Tauhara te maunga.
Ko Ngati Tuwharetoa te iwi.
Taupo is the lake
Tauhara is the mountain
Ngati Tuwharetoa is the tribe.I have spent many years off and on teaching and learning our beautiful indigenous language Te Reo Māori.
I am currently living in Taupo but travel to Hamilton to look after my mokopuna. I have 4 tamariki and 8 mokopuna.
It will be my pleasure to be involved in the journey of tamariki learning Te Reo Māori.
Naku noa
Whaea Carol -
Carrie VanderZwaag
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Kia ora tātou katoa.
Ko Carrie Vander Zwaag. Originally from Alaska – I love new experiences, adventure and travel, having lived and taught all over the planet (from urban LA to remote Amazon jungles). However, the beautiful moana, maunga and people of Taupō, Aotearoa, captured my wanderlust heart.
The opportunity to ako (teach and learn) with incredible akōnga (students) and whānau of diverse backgrounds has enriched my life and enhanced what and how I teach. I’ve taught students from years 0-13 in private and public schools around the world from Reporoa to Los Angeles and Guyana (South America) to Pohnpei (Micronesia). One of the most unusual challenges faced was teaching computer technology class in a school without electricity!
My greatest passions in teaching are helping ākonga discover and grow who they are through authentic, challenging learning and whanaungatanga (relationships) both within and outside the school community. I also love hands-on science and technology, critical thinking (particularly problem-solving), creative thinking, communication (speaking, writing, listening), fitness/health and anything to do with nature/environmental sustainability.
I’m excited to be a part of the VLN community to develop and support the Biology and Gifted Learner programmes and ako with a whole new group of leaners from across Aotearoa.
Ngā mihi me te aroha nui.
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Gayleen Mackereth – Languages
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Bonjour- Je m’appelle Madame Gayleen Mackereth
Buenos dias- me llamo Senora Gayleen Mackereth
Let me introduce myself. My name is Gayleen Mackereth. I have been Head of Languages at a number of Auckland and Waikato secondary schools and I am a very experienced teacher of languages. In 2004 I was also an E-Fellow working with schools to teach languages online in order to analyse the best student outcomes.
I was teaching in schools until I was knocked off my bike cycling to school and can no longer walk well. Since my accident, I have been teaching online to students from around the world, and now in New Zealand.
I have led many student trips to Europe, Japan and New Caledonia and you may see a few photos of my students in the work I give you.
We live on a small block with our 3 Wiltshire sheep and our dog Ollie (who is a “Pound Pup” – we rescued him). We also have a bigger farm up North running cattle.
Despite my accident I still swim most mornings and I also ride with Riding for the Disabled. I am looking forward to getting to know you all.
A bientôt
Hasta luego
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Helen Cunningham – STEM & Digital Technologies
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Kia ora, My name is Helen and I am a primary school teacher with a real passion for science, STEM and digital technologies. I completed my Graduate Diploma in teaching through the University of Canterbury.
I am originally from the UK and prior to teaching I studied agriculture and worked and managed dairy farms in England and in New Zealand.
In my spare time I love being immersed in a good book, growing vegetables and attending to the plants in my garden, walking and cycling and spending time with my family and pets- a cheeky jack russell and a very relaxed cat!
I am really excited to be a teacher in the VLN programme and look forward to supporting and growing students in their learning journey.
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Jan Bolton – Songwriting, Music
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Kia ora tatou
I am Jan, a composer, and music/performing arts educator at both Secondary and Primary levels. Some of you will know me too as a teacher educator at Victoria University for many years.
A Wellingtonian, I now live north of the city at Waikanae Beach. I make sure the sea and all its magic and beauty is in my life every day as well as music. And yes young people are special to me too – I keep learning lots from them and with them!
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Kay Bannister-Rye – Maths
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Tena koutou e hoa ma. Ko Kotiana me Aotearoa te whakapaparangu mai.
Hello to you all. I am of Scottish and Māori descent.
We are an intergenerational whanau living on a lifestyle block. My brother says it is a Life Sentence block because we always seem to be fixing or building something when he visits!I am the whanau factotum which means I do all the things everyone else is too busy to do. I am planning a 100th birthday celebration in memory of my dad as well as writing his life story.I practise yoga, I am learning to play croquet and I study te reo Māori with Te Wananga o Aotearoa.
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Lisa Wang – Mandarin
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Tena Koutou Ko Lisa toku ingoa.
I’m originally from Taiwan and have been living in New Zealand for over 30 years.
I currently reside in Cambridge with my husband and daughter.
I have experience teaching Chinese from Year 1 through Year 12, both online and in local schools. I’m passionate about language education and enjoy helping students build confidence and cultural understanding through learning Chinese.
Outside of teaching, I love dogs and traveling whenever I get the chance. I’m really looking forward to connecting with you all and being part of this learning community!
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Lucie Lindsay – Digital Technologies
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Kia ora koutou. Welcome to online learning with VLN Primary School! I’m the Deputy Principal and the eLearning Lead, here to help learners connect online.
I am a NZ registered, experienced primary teacher. I teach Digital Technologies Extension classes on computing concepts, coding skills and creating digital solutions.
My professional background includes Primary class teaching, IT roles, and creating teacher professional learning. I also study part-time researching networked learning design.
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Stacey Walden – Astronomy & Physics
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Kia Ora, my name is Stacey Walden and though I grew up in Canada I’ve called New Zealand home for over 14 years. I specialise in teaching Mathematics, Science and Nature Education from Years 5-13.
I live in the beautiful Top of the South and enjoy spending my time outdoors; mountain biking, hiking and going to the beach with my family and friends or doing yoga or reading a book to relax. I look forward to teaching you.
