City Team
This is our team of teachers and staff at Educare City. Scroll through to find out more about our teaching team.
Kim Maera
Centre Manager, Registered Teacher
My journey to become a qualified early childhood teacher began with training as a primary teacher in Waikato. After graduating I worked for 17 years in both Kaitaia and Whangarei. I loved being a teacher, learning and working with children, so I decided to have one of my own. With my son being born in 2009 I was fascinated with how amazing our little tamariki are, this led me to quit my senior teachers role and work in early childhood.
While I worked, I gained an early childhood diploma in 2014, and I still get amazed everyday as I observe, play and learn alongside children, our tamariki are miharo!
I look forward to getting to know all the whānau and tamariki at Educare City.
Angela Whittam
Assistant Manager, Registered Teacher
Kia ora, I have been involved with early childhood since 2008, this made me decide upon studying and I completed my Batchelor of Education (specialising in ECE) in 2014. I gained my full teaching registration in 2018.
When leaving school I began a career in horticulture which has led to my love of the outdoors. I enjoy spending time at the beach, gardening, watching my tamariki play sports and walking our family dog.
I love to create messy sensory activities with the tamariki as we learn through different experiences gained whilst using their senses.
I am an advocate of respectful, reciprocal relationships with tamariki, whānau and kaiako. I look forward to getting to know you and spending time with your tamaiti to watch them gain learn and grow.
Christine Colls
Registered Teacher
Kia ora. My name is Christine Colls and I am one of the teachers in the Teina space.
Over the years I have gained experience in several centres around Whangarei and have a passion for working with infants and toddlers.
I have full teacher registration and a degree in Early Childhood Teaching. I live on a lifestyle property with my horses, dogs and cats.
Rebecca Dickens
Registered Teacher
My name is Rebecca Dickens. I was born and mostly bred in Whangarei, although I moved to Auckland to study. I graduated with a Diploma of Teaching from Te Tauri Puna Aotearoa in 2012, then completed a Bachelor of Teacher in Early Childhood in 2017.
I enjoy spending time with my family and fiancé Mikey and in 2020 I became a mum to a beautiful little girl Aurora. I have a passion for travelling to different parts of the world, and I love Disney! I’ve worked in the early childhood industry on and off since 1999, where I have the passion to watch children grow and develop. I also believe children are confident and competent and have the freedom to pursue life to the fullest in whatever they choose to do. I’m there as a teacher to guide them throughout this journey.
Janine Pettit
Registered Teacher
Hello my name is Janine. I am a qualified teacher and have many years of experience in all areas of Early Childhood Education. I love working with babies and young children and love seeing them grow and develop.
Anna Hall
Registered Teacher
Kia ora, my name is Anna Hall, I live in Tikipunga with my two girls, Dawn and Alexis. I hold a Bachelor of education specialising in Primary Teaching and have been teaching in ECE with Educare since 2018.
I gained my full registration in 2021 while teaching at Educare Totara Park and after a few months of relief work, I have had the opportunity to join the Educare City team.
I am excited to walk alongside your tamariki as they begin their learning journey.
Vesta Bloomfield
Registered Teacher
Tena koutou, my name is Vesta. I come from the Kingdom of Tonga and Whāngarei has been my home since 2005. I am a registered early childhood teacher and am excited about the opportunity to work with the teaching team and contribute to supporting the development of your tamariki.
Tracey Laverick
Teacher in Training
Hi my name is Tracey. I have been working in childcare for over 10 years. I hold a NVQ in childcare and development from the UK and am currently studying towards my Bachelor of Teaching. I look forward to working closely with your children.
Lisa Campbell
Teacher
Hi my name is Lisa. I have been volunteering at the centre since 2017 and enjoy being part of a team working with your children. I am now a full time teacher and look forward to continuing this journey.
Kelly Jensen
Administrator
My name is Kelly, I live in Maunu on a lifestyle property with my partner, our young son and our animals. We moved to Whangarei in 2019 to make the most of the outdoor adventure lifestyle. I come from an administration background and I will be supporting the Centre Manager at both Educare City centre and Educare Okara. I look forward to meeting you all.
