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.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Janine Campbell – NZ Sign Language (NZSL)

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    Kia ora koutou, I’m Janine Campbell. I was born in Hāwera, Taranaki. I live in Waikato now. I am Deaf and have been a registered Teacher of the Deaf for nearly 25 years in Auckland, Hobart in Tasmania and Waikato.

    I enjoy reading, travelling, photography and playing with my two cats, Nari & Fuji. I look forward to teaching you my unique language, New Zealand Sign Language and Deaf culture.

    Handwaves, Janine

  • Jen Hammonds

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    Kia ora koutou, nau mai! I love being in education – it plays a role in all areas of my life. Whether mountain biking, skiing, fishing or speaking te reo, I find myself learning, growing and sharing. Making the most of where we are and what we’re doing by learning to learn is something I’m passionate about and hope to share with my students at Kōtui Ako VLN.

    I teach te reo Māori, Spanish, Digital Technology, Design, Web Design, Visual Arts & Life Skills. I support other eteachers to develop their learning programmes.

  • Katherine Stewart

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    Katherine teaches across a range of subjects in Digital Technologies, Creative Arts and Literacy. She has previously taught in Kotui Ako secondary in Art History and Classical Studies. She lives in Tāmaki Makaurau with her partner and three children.

    Katherine also co-ordinates fortnightly PLD experiences for eTeachers through Nex Kōtuitui. Her interests include cooking, art history and learning more about the Classical world.

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

  • Olivia Graham – Japanese

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    Konnichi wa, my name is Olivia Graham and I am a Taupō native and classroom teacher at Wairakei Primary School in Taupō.

    I studied Japanese throughout college and university, and spent four years living and teaching in Japan. I have taught Japanese to students throughout my teaching career. I am excited to be a part of the Kōtui Ako VLN team and work with students all over New Zealand.