Role

In her current role as the Regional Education Leader for Gisborne takiwā ako, Rebecca supports and empowers kaiako to extend their skills and provide quality learning experiences. Whanaungatanga and manaakitanga are at the heart of her daily practice to ensure the best for kaiako and tamariki.

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Education Background

Rebecca started her journey into early childhood education twenty-eight years ago when her children started attending Playcentre, Montessori and Kindergarten. She has experience working in various caregiving roles with persons with disabilities, health conditions and impairments.

After completing her degree in social sciences, she worked as an English teacher in South Korea for a year. She also has experience coaching and being involved in children’s rugby and has held various roles on committees and boards. She has been teaching in early childhood for 11 years in community childcare and then in Kindergartens in Northland and Gisborne. In her ECE journey, she has held many roles including team leader, relieving head teacher and head teacher.

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Research Background

Rebecca believes in inclusive collaborate leadership and empowering kaiako to lead in their strengths. She is interested in children’s leadership and providing them opportunities to enhance and share their knowledge and strengths with others. She is passionate about the many ways tamariki learn through play in natural environments and their connection to te ao Māori.

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Teaching Interests

Rebecca believes children need high quality care and environments to learn and grow. She believes all Kaiako should be provided with high quality learning opportunities to be able to provide the best for our tamariki. Rebecca enjoys creating resources using kohatu/stones and rakau/wood for tamariki to use when retelling pūrākau/stories. She has strong interest in sustainability and using loose parts and junk play in learning.