Meet Our Team
Raewyn Sturm
Centre Manager | Experienced teacherQualified and registered teacher
Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Fully Certified Ko Moumoukai te maunga Ko Nuhaka te awa o Rakaipaaka te iwi.
Jordan Martens
Team Leader | Experienced teacherQualified and registered teacher
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Lindi Colby
Team Leader | Experienced teacherQualified and registered teacher
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Jen Edney
Experienced TeacherQualified and registered teacher
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Sarah Grant
Experienced teacher in trainingTeacher in training - 2nd year Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Pauline Whitfield
Experienced TeacherQualified and registered support teacher
Bronwyn Cochrane
Experienced TeacherQualified and registered support teacher
Kerin Frost
Experienced Teaching AssistantExperienced teacher assistant
Estelle Sandford
Teaching Assistant
Xara Goodwin
Teaching Assistant
Karen Horn
Teaching Assistant
Adele Storie
Menu planner & centre catering
Karen Moar
ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE MANAGER
Teacher Selection
We carefully select our teachers through a comprehensive hiring process which includes a formal application pack, three reference checks, police vetting and a formal interview. Each teacher is hired with a particular passion in mind, and is empowered to take ownership over aspects of the programme. We also invite student teachers to join our team on a regular basis when they are studying. This is a great opportunity for teachers in training to come and learn, as well as offer many unique ideas and suggestions which are contemporary in their training. When students are here, please feel free to ask them about your child’s day. However, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s learning and development, please ensure you ask the regular teachers or team leaders.
If you are interested in a teaching position with us either qualified or unqualified then please send your CV and cover letter to manager.elimelc@gmail.com.
Team Work
Early Childhood Education is unique compared to teaching primary aged children in that there is more than one adult teaching many children. As a consequence, teamwork is essential to the ongoing development and health of the programme. We make a point of building up our teams and seeking to define a unified approach to the education and care of all the children.
Annual Review
All teachers have a 6 month review upon hiring, and then move to our annual review process which ensures they have a focus for continual improvement. We provide opportunities throughout the year for teachers to attend training and professional development courses. This helps them develop their teaching skills and gain new ideas for improving your child’s learning experience.
Advisory and Support Personnel
Our provisionally certificated teachers work with an internal and external mentor to support them in achieving a high level of competence.
“Parent wishing to remain anonymousMy daughter started at Elim when she was one. I truly believe that she's in a supportive and nurturing environment with teachers who care enough to know how to respond to her needs. Every morning they take time to settle her and when I arrive in the afternoon she is always happy and engaged with a teacher.She is exposed to so many amazing learning experiences by diverse staff with a huge range of talents and skills. I love Elim and would recommend it to anyone.
“Parent wishing to remain anonymousOne of the many things I appreciate about Elim Early Learning Centre is the interest the staff and teachers take in the whole family, not just my toddler. When we come to pick up my toddler, my other child is greeted by her name and often find her engaged in conversations with the staff. Elim has welcomed other important people in my toddler's life into the centre during visits and special occasions. This has really helped her sense of belonging, as the connection between her home and centre has been developed and kept strong.
