Senior Directress

Diploma Teaching and Learning ECE (1999)

St Nicholas Montessori Diploma 0–6 years (1994)

Kaylene grew up in Nelson and has been involved with caring and educating tamariki/children throughout her adult life. Kaylene lives here in Nelson with her whānau, partner and two school-aged children. She enjoys exploring geography and finding about people and places.

Kaylene first became involved with Montessori while working as a nanny and decided to pursue teacher training following the Montessori Method of Education. She finds this immensely satisfying and gains great pleasure from observing and assisting children blossom in the Montessori environment to their individual potentials.

She particularly enjoy the orderliness within the class environment, the extensive educational materials that allow the child to freely explore the materials, either individually or together with friends.

Senior Directress

Certificate in Montessori Studies for ages 3 - 6 (1988)

Bachelor of Teaching in ECE (2015)

Over the last 25 years, Kirsa has taught at Montessori schools full time and in relief.

In 2005, Kirsa and her husband moved from the San Francisco area in California to sunny Nelson. They live in the Glen where they enjoy the sea, nature and the close-knit community.

Kirsa has been in and around Montessori her whole life. Her mother started a Montessori school when she was two and she retired in 2007, after 36 years! Kirsa’s mother now lives

nearby in Todd Valley; Kirsa helps support the family farm on Fridays. Kirsa says, “The warmth, trust and respect that underpin theMontessori philosophy resonate deeply with me. I feelfortunate to spend my days with tamariki sharing in the joy of discovery.

Classroom Co-Directress

Bachelor of Teaching in ECE (2014)

Montessori Diploma in Teaching (in progress)

Theresa was first introduced to the Montessori Method by chance through having the opportunity to do some relieving work at the Bays Montessori schools.  She was immediately drawn to the respectful interactions the children demonstrated not only towards one another, but also the environment.  She values how children learn at their own pace, in a self-correcting environment and feels privileged to have joined the Montessori community.

In her spare time, Theresa enjoys going for walks, pottering around in the garden, supporting her children in their sporting interests and spending time with her husband and two children.

Co-Directress

I previously worked at one of the leading International schools in Sri Lanka. I have been working as a Preschool Teacher, a Music Teacher and also as a Performing Arts Teacher for 8 years. I am a registered trainer in Trinity Guildhall Speech and Drama examinations (London) and supported 350 children for their Speech and Drama examinations while winning all island prizes.

I hold Internationally recognised Diplomas in Early Childhood Education and Child Care Management.

In addition, I successfully completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Enterprise (Level 8) at NMIT.

I’m a mother of two loving daughters who are 14 and 5

Outdoor Directress

After many years teaching children aged 5 to 7, Karen sought new teaching experiences in the preschool sector and this led her to relieving for Bays Montessoris. She felt that the Montessori philosophy fit with her strengths and beliefs. Whilst working at Nelson Montessori, Karen completed her Montessori training through the North American Montessori Centre.

Karen is a lover of the Outdoors and has a family bach in the Kenaperu Sounds that enable her to go boating, fishing, kayaking and swimming. She is also passionate about the creative arts. Currently, Karen is sharing her love for the creative crafts with the children and whanau at Stoke Montessori where she is a Directress. She believes that “a happy child is a learning child” and therefore it is important to spend time getting to know a child and build up their trust so they feel secure to engage in their learning environment.

Co-Directress

I studied both Psychology and Education at the University of Auckland. After graduating, I moved to London where I worked as a teacher for adults with learning disabilities. While working in this sector, I often thought back to my own early experiences of Montessori education and how the Montessori philosophy could really enhance my practice in disability education with its emphasis on hands-on and wholistic learning. So, I embarked on my studies in Montessori preschool education and obtained an International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy from MCI London.

After having my son in 2017, my husband and I moved back to Nelson in order to raise our son closer to nature. Since becoming a mother myself, I have gained an even greater respect for the incredible work of Dr Montessori. Modern neuroscience has confirmed the critical significance of the early years in laying the blueprint for children’s beliefs about themselves and their relationships with others.  Dr Montessori came up with similar conclusions well over a hundred years ago and in a time when children were expected to be seen but not heard.  I feel privileged to work in a setting that values children’s early experiences so highly.

Bachelor of Teaching and Learning 2001

Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) 2010

Tamara grew up in Nelson and since college has been caring and educating tamariki/children as a Nanny, a Primary School Teacher and an Early Childhood Teacher. Tamara lives in Richmond with her husband and two school-aged children. Tamara started at Stoke Montessori in 2017 after she had spent some time relieving at Bays Montessori. Tamara believes that children are on a life long journey of learning and discovery and that the Montessori Philosophy supports this journey.

In her spare time she enjoys scrapbooking and crafts, camping and spending time with her family. Tamara is looking forward to beginning her Montessori Training in 2019.

Senior Directress

Bachelor of Design Studies  (2001)

Association of Montessori Internationale Diploma in the Montessori Method (2006)

Sunanda began her Montessori journey as a NIDO assistant in Japan in 2007 and received her AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) 3-6 diploma in Chennai, India in 2010.

Before moving to Nelson in July 2017, she worked as a 3-6 Montessori Guide in Sydney for 7 years where she led two Casa Dei Bambini environments.

Prior to her Montessori life Sunanda graduated from Griffith University with a degree in Design Studies, majoring in graphic design and worked as a design consultant in Melbourne and Brisbane.

She is currently working towards a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE). As a pseudo-mummy to her cat, Sunanda thinks that people who parent little people are the bravest and most selfless beings on the planet; she believes that it takes a village to raise a child and is grateful that her work truly is love made visible. Sunanda enjoys reading, printmaking, Ubud, Scrabble, Cards Against Humanity, Faithless and roller derby.

 Support Teacher

Certificate in Food Safety Practice 2014

Vanessa has worked as a reliever at The Bays Montessori since 2010 and started her role at Kauri in 2013 as a Support Teacher.

She loves that each day brings something different and interesting and enjoys supporting the children in their learning.

In 2017, Vanessa received the “Rito Healthy Heart Award” from the New Zealand Heart Foundation for cooking nutritious meals and promoting physical activity.

In her spare time Vanessa enjoys family time, reading, watching TV and walking.

 Profile Coming Soon!

 Profile Coming Soon!

Classroom Co-Directress

BA (Hons) Psychology and Education (1994)

Diploma in Computer Graphic Design (1999)

Graduate Diploma in Teaching in ECE (2013)

Postgraduate Diploma in Art Therapy (2017)

Originally from Wellington, Lynda has lived in Nelson since 2001 with her husband and teenage daughter. She likes to do spin classes, yoga and to go for walks to keep fit. In her spare time, she also likes to draw, paint, do creative writing and read.

Lynda started teaching in Miro Room at the start of 2017. Prior to that, she worked for the Nelson Tasman Kindergarten for three years. Lynda feels privileged to teach infants and toddlers and to witness the learning that occurs on so many levels, each and every day. She enjoys working in the unique space that is Miro Room - a beautiful family-like setting that is like walking into an oasis of calm.

In 2018 Lynda is starting a two-year Masters in Art Therapy at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design.

Senior Directress

Bachelors in Education in Montessori (2004)

Susan is mum to four 'children', all now off finding their way in the world. After spending 15 years working alongside tamariki and whanau in the 3-6 class at Nelson Montessori, Susan has embraced the whole new way of being that comes with 1-3 year olds. The inspiration for the move into an infant / toddler space arose from nine years involvement in parent / infant classes where she found whanau incredibly open to exploring new ways of being with their tamariki. Her first year in Miro Room at Kauri Montessori has overflowed with new learning as she delights in the children's ebullience as well as their ability to almost disappear into the moment. They are truly masters of mindfulness.

"It follows that at the beginning of his life the individual can accomplish wonders – without effort and quite unconsciously." (The Absorbent Mind, p. 54)

Susan strongly believes that learning is a life-long journey for all and continually seeks to grow her knowledge and skills to improve her practice. If Susan is asked what she aspires to most in her work with infants and toddlers it would be whakawhanaungatanga / building strong relationships for "it is only when we connect deeply with those around us that we can truly meet each others needs and feel safe to fly"

When not in the toddlers' house at Kauri Montessori Susan loves to connect with friends and family while time spent in the ngahere o Aotearoa / native bush feeds her spirit and helps maintain her equilibrium in, what can be, a very busy world!

Classroom Co-Directress

Bachelor of Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood (2012)

Louise joined Bays Montessori in November 2016 with the opening of the Miro Room.  Previously she had been an Infant and Toddler teacher at another centre in Nelson.  Louise began studying towards her teaching qualification while her son was in early childhood, and it was this that sparked the interest and desire to enter the teaching profession.  She gained her degree in 2012 and full teacher registration in 2015.  Louise holds a strong passion for the infant and toddler age group, seeing them as capable and competent learners.

Louise is originally from Nelson and returned after 9 years living in Australia and London.  She is married with two children and enjoys family picnics, reading and walks along many of the Nelson beaches.

Ko Tracey White ahau, no Waihi ahau.  My background, I have a level 7 degree in Information Technology (2001).   My husband and I were self-employed from 2005 – 2013 running an electrical business and home improvement products business.  We have two sons aged 24 and 14 and a daughter aged 10 and we live in the Brook, which we love!

I started relieving for Bays Montessori in August 2017 and joined the Miro room two days a week in November 2017.  In 2018 I started working three days a week in the Miro room and completed my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE) through Te Rito Maioha.

I completed two placements at a local kindergarten (children aged 12 months – 2 ½ years – similar to Miro room) and a daycare centre (children aged 2 – 5-years).  I was also blessed to have the opportunity to have two terms of observing Babyfocus classes which align with the Pikler philosophy.  These experiences have made an impact on my own philosophy which strongly aligns with Montessori and Pikler.