Louise McConnel
Ko Louise McConnel tōku ingoa.
Kindergarten is such a rich and diverse early learning environment, and this is something I have experienced first-hand as a past ‘kindy kid’, a current Kidsfirst Linwood parent, and in my role as a psychologist.
Through my work with special education, health and community organisations, I see the importance that kindergarten plays in providing affordable, accessible quality ECE.
In a sector increasingly focused on the dollar, Kidsfirst offers important child-centred spaces that are free of commercial imperatives. As a result, the organisation provides a notably more supportive environment that attracts and retains passionate, professional staff motivated to do the right thing for the tamariki, whānau and communities they serve.
I’m excited to be a part of Kidsfirst’s proud legacy, and am honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to its future.
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Dr Tui Simmers
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Tararua te maunga
Ko Otaki te awa
Ko Raukawa te marae
Ko Ngāti Raukawa te iwi
Ko Ngāti Huia te hapu
Ko Tui Summers tāku ingoa
I am passionate and dedicated to early childhood education and I have had a range of roles in the sector including as a Kaiako, Lecturer, Policy Advisor, Academic Leader and Director of Academic Programmes.
Kidsfirst Kindergartens has such a rich history of providing quality ECE for tamariki, whānau and mokopuna. As a board member I am committed to serving the Kidsfirst community and contributing to the strong legacy the Association has.
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Joeclyn Wright
Ko Jocelyn Wright tōku ingoa.
Joining the Kidsfirst Kindergarten Board is like completing a circle in my career. I have returned to my Kindergarten roots before retiring completely! I am an ex- Kindergarten kid, I trained as a kindergarten teacher, my tamariki attended their local kindergarten and I chaired the local kindergarten parent committee.
My professional involvement in early childhood education spans 5 decades during which I have been driven by my passion for early childhood education and my commitment to advocating for moko and whānau in Aotearoa. I taught in kindergartens around Christchurch for 20 years while also holding part-time roles lecturing at the College of Education. I then moved into the field of MOE funded ECE professional development contracts as a professional development facilitator and team leader at Education Plus, the University of Canterbury, and Core Education for the next 20+ years. I spent 18-months in Chennai, India as the preschool Director responsible for establishing a new ‘international’ early childhood centre. More recently I was privileged to be the Preschool director of a culturally and linguistically diverse community-based preschool in Christchurch and a part-time secondary teacher at the adjoining College.
Through my mahi in education leadership roles I bring a broad range of ECE knowledge and experience to my role on the Kidsfirst Kindergarten Governance Board. I have networked widely and value the benefits of working collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds, including community groups, regional and national Government advisory groups and panels, school Governance Boards, teaching teams, whānau groups, Education and Health agencies, and ECE management teams.
In this kaitiaki role, I look forward to supporting the vision and values of Kidsfirst Kindergartens, to help build on the highly regarded reputation and community heart of kindergarten kaiako in their mahi with tamariki and whānau.
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