Rural Scholars Early Childhood Learning Centre, Waimate

Kia Ora, I am the Owner and Manager of Rural Scholars Early Learning Centre and have a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood Education). I am passionate about ensuring that tamariki/children and their families/whānau early childhood experiences are respectful, meaningful and valued.

I am a mother and a grandmother, and have a passion for horse riding which I am loving sharing and teaching my grandchildren.

Our Rural Scholars learning environment allows both my interests of children and animals to combine and provide amazing learning opportunities for all. I enjoy spending my days with a great group of children, parents, teachers, and animals.

Malo e lelei, my name is Rosie Fakatava and I have been part of the Rural Scholars Team since 2009, and have a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).

I enjoy working alongside the children and their families, ensuring they are provided with quality care and education.

I see children as able and believe that each child deserves respect, equality and opportunities to grow and develop in to an independent individual.

In my teaching I highly value the endless opportunities our natural environment has to offer. I enjoy working alongside the children in the area of arts and crafts, fostering independence and fostering the children’s ever-growing relationships.

“He Taonga te mokopuna,
kia whāngaia,
kia tipu,
kia rea
A child is a treasure,
To be nurtured,
To grow,
To flourish”

Malo e lelei, ko hoku hingoa´ ko Kourtney Saulala. I have been a faiako at Rural Scholars since 2014, and gained my Bachelor in Education (Early Childhood Education) in 2017.

I live with my husband, my daughter and our two border collie dogs on a small farmlet in town. I have a passion for nurturing and respecting animals and the natural environment, reflecting Rural Scholars philosophy in my teaching practises and the experiences I provide for the tamariki. I have a particular interest in culture and language, and am forever challenging myself to grow and learn.

Kia ora, my name is Joy Williams and I am one of the kaiako/teachers that teaches and learns alongside the tamariki at Rural Scholars. I graduated with a Batchelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education in 2016, and have been working at Rural Scholars since 2013.

My teaching practice is underpinned by relationships as I believe that developing and fostering reciprocal relationships is at the heart of teaching and learning.

…Love first, then teach…

I am married to Mark and we have four children. I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, reading, learning new things and would love to travel more.

Kia Ora, My name is Caitlin and I am a full time teacher in the Preschool Room. I have been teaching at Rural Scholars since 2015. I graduated with my Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education in 2018.

I am a fun and enthusiastic teacher who has a passion for working with tamariki. I love seeing tamariki learn, grow and discover through their play. I enjoy walking my labrador and spending time with my husband, family and friends.

Kia Ora, Malo e lelei, Kamusta, and Hello! My name is Carly and I have a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education.

I am passionate about building positive reciprocal relationships with tamariki and their whānau, and love to empower and support children as they grow into independent, self-confident, lifelong learners.

Hola, soy Ale. I grew up in Santiago, Chile. I studied Early Childhood care at university, then worked in a kindergarten for two years and later as a new entrant teacher in a primary school for four years. I moved to New Zealand in April 2018 for an overseas experience, working and travelling. I meet a kiwi man from Waimate, we are very happy together and now I have a fantastic job at Rural Scholars. I am proud to be from Chile, of the Spanish language and culture. I am passionate about teaching children, always considering their experiences, needs and interests, in order to promote in them greater knowledge, learning, skills and attitudes for life.

Hola, soy Ale. Crecí en Santiago de Chile. Estudié cuidado de la primera infancia (Educación Parvularia) en la Universidad (Universidad Central de Chile), luego trabajé en un jardín de infancia durante dos años y más tarde como profesora a en una escuela primaria durante cuatro años. Me mudé a Nueva Zelanda en abril de 2018 para vivir una experiencia en el extranjero, trabajar y viajar. Conocí a un hombre kiwi de Waimate, estamos muy felices juntos y ahora tengo un trabajo fantástico en Rural Scholars. Estoy orgullosa de ser de Chile, de su idioma y cultura. Me apasiona enseñar a los niños, siempre considerando sus experiencias, necesidades e intereses, con el fin de promover en ellos mayores conocimientos, aprendizajes, habilidades y actitudes para la vida.

Kia Ora, my name is Lisa Caird and I have been working at Rural Scholars since 2017, working in the Kiwi Room with the Under 2’s. I am currently studying towards a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education after having already gained my Level 5 and 6 Diplomas in Early Childhood Education and Care.

I have grown up in Waimate, a sporting family and enjoy being a part of a close knit community. In my spare time I spend time with whānau and friends.

My philosophy aligns with Rural Scholars and allows me to create opportunities to build relationships, discover new learning experiences and empower tamariki development and milestones. I look forward to working with and alongside you and your tamariki on this special journey.

Kia ora, my name is Kayla and I began teaching at Rural Scholars at the beginning of 2020. I am studying towards a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), and am enjoying learning more about children’s learning and development.

I enjoy building relationships with tamariki, their families and the wider community. I love to spend my spare time with my family and friends, playing sport and camping.

I am excited to get to know you and your child.