The Hikurangi Team
This is our team of teachers and staff at Educare Hikurangi. Scroll through to find out more about our teaching team.
Jenny Heke
Centre Manager, Registered Teacher
Kia ora my name is Jenny, I am a fully registered teacher and have my diploma in Early Childhood Education.
I am also a mother of three and a grandmother of five. I am also the owner of two dogs, one cat, one cockatiel and three very fat hens.
My interests are baking and gardening and I like to incorporate these into our program. I am also passionate about the environment and care about all living things.
Kim Chevolleau
Registered Teacher
Nau te rouru, naku te rouru, Ka ora ai te iwi
With your basket and my basket, we will feed the people.
Kia ora, My name is Kim, I am a fully registered teacher, have a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and have been involved within Early Childhood Education here and abroad since 1989, working in Kindergartens, pre-schools and childcare centres. I was born and raised in Whangarei and have two grown children. I also have one cat named Scrappy.
I am passionate about music and the enjoyment and creativity it provides to the tamariki. I especially love watching children grow and learn and develop into strong individuals with knowledge to create and explore their environment. I look forward to meeting all the whanau at Educare Hikurangi and working with your tamariki.
Rachel Kitchen
Registered Teacher
My name is Rachel Kitchen and I'm a registered Early Childhood teacher. I've been teaching in early childhood since 2019. Prior to that, I have also been a primary school teacher. I enjoy all aspects of children's learning, especially as they progress through the early years. I have a special interest in language and literacy, and like to build strong relationships so I can support children's interests and interactions with others. Especially as they transition to school. Outside of teaching, I enjoy being on my lifestyle block with the animals, gym training and catching up with my adult children.
Izzy Whitehead
Registered Teacher
Kia ora Whānau, my name is Izaane Whitehead, Izzy for short. I live with my husband Sam and son Ryan to a beef farm in Akerama. We have 2 Labradors called Nala and Flash and a cat named Shady. We also just welcomed 6 brown shaver hens to our family. I am a Registered Teacher with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood. I have been working with babies for more than half my teaching career before I took 3 years off to dairy farm with my husband. I am very excited to be the pēpe (Baby) teacher here at Educare Hikurangi as I get back to teaching after 3 years off.
Julie-Ann Pilmer
Teacher
Kia ora,
My name is Julie-Ann and I am an unregistered teacher working part-time at Hikurangi Educare.
I have three adult children and own two cats and one dog. I live on the farm I grew up on in Hukerenui, I love looking after it.
I look forward to getting to know you and your tamariki.
Stella Scandrett
Teacher
Kia ora my name is Stella Scandrett. I have always had a strong passion for working with tamariki since growing up as the eldest daughter l have always been like a second Mum to my siblings. I have worked with many tamariki of all ages over the years and l can definitely say - it’s the best job. In the future l would love to become a qualified Early Childhood Teacher. I am excited for all the new experiences that are to come.
