Head Teacher - Qualified Registered Teacher

Kia Ora my name is Gaye, I have been working in Early Childhood for a number of years. I started my journey with Tui in February 2020.

I enjoy watching the children learn and achieve. My teaching philosophy is around respectful, reciprocal relationships with children. I believe children are capable learners and love watching them use their imagination to achieve and grow.

I am married to Kevin and have 3 Children and 6 Grandchildren.

I enjoy gardening, walking and rugby.

Qualified Registered Teacher

Kia Ora, my name is Lisa. I am married and have 3 adult children. In 2008 I completed my Diploma in Early Childhood and hold my full teachers registration. I started working for Tui in 2011 and am a big believer in responsive and reciprocal relationships, which recognises the uniqueness of each individual child. For relationships provide the foundation from which meaningful learning occurs. 

I look forward to getting to know you and your child.

Qualified Registered Teacher

Kia Ora, my name is Cara.
After growing up in the Manawatu I have spent the last 22 years working with children in a lot of places around the world and from a variety of backgrounds. I especially enjoyed my time teaching at an international school in Indonesia. I was fortunate enough to gain a job within the Tui Early Learners community in January 2022.

My partner and I have four children and 3 fur babies. We enjoy spending time with our family and friends and exploring the community around us.

I enjoy working with children and believe they are capable learners and teachers that should be nurtured and treated with dignity and respect. I am excited to be part of  the Tui Lytton Street community . I look forward to seeing where this journey takes us all.

Qualified Registered Teacher

Kia ora, My name is Hannah
I have 10 years teaching experience in all age groups- Preschool and Toddlers being the main one. I love watching the children learn and grow into confident and curious learners.

I was born, raised and grew up in Feilding! In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors, scrapbooking special memories and spending lots of time with my family and friends and also the never-ending tasks of DIY at home!

I am excited to start my teaching journey here in the Tōtara Room with the 3–5-year-olds and look forward to getting to know you all.

Qualified Registered Teacher

Hi my name is Samantha. I am currently living in Feilding with my partner Alex, daughter Sierra and our cat piglet. I gained my degree in teaching early childhood education in 2021 and am currently working on my full registration. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family and creating custom things with my circut.

Teacher in Training

Kia Ora, My name is Brent. I started my teaching career in 2022 with Tui.

I am originally from the mighty Waikato and moved down to Feilding with my partner. We have 4 children. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to be involved in many national sports and represented New Zealand on the world stage. A love of sports has taught me teamwork, mental fortitude, emotional competencies in dealing with success and failures, goal setting and skills in helping negotiate life.

Through respectful, nurturing, caring relationships with the children and whanau, I will enrich your child’s learning experience as they explore and make sense of the world surrounding them

Teacher in Training

Tēna koutou katoa
Ko Tararua te Maunga 
Ko Mangatainoka te Awa
Ko Kurahaupo me Takitimu ngā Waka
Ko Rangitane me Ngati Kahungunu ngā Iwi
Ko Te Kapua-a-Rangi i roto o Ngati Hamua te Hapū 
Ko Te Whakawhaiiti o ngā Iwi te Marae 
Ko Santana Heremaia tōku ingoa 

Kia ora, my name is Santana. I am a secound year student here at Tui, studying through Te Rito Maioha doing a bachelor of teaching degree. I have always worked in education and believe that children are capable learners. My teaching philosphy is based on being respectful to one another and building reciprocal relationships with children. I am passionate in making learning fun and cannot wait to share this space with you all.

I am a second-year student here at Tui, studying through Te Rito Maioha doing a bachelor of teaching. I have always worked in education and believe that children are capable learners. My teaching philosophy is based on being respectful to one another and building reciprocal relationships with children. I am passionate about making learning fun and cannot wait to share this space with you all.

Teacher in Training

Kia Ora, My name is Jordan and I have recently joined the totara team as a student kaiako. I am in my 3rd year of my teaching degree and am studying with open polytechnic, hoping to finish my studies at the end of the year. I live in Bunnythorpe with my partner and 2 kids, Alexei and Grayson and we enjoy road trips and getting creative. I thoroughly enjoy working alongside children and I have a passion for inquiry focussed learning. I am looking forward to getting to know all of the tamariki and whanau in totara.

Early Intervention Specialist

Kia Ora koutou, ko Robert toku ingoa.
I’m a qualified registered teacher.
I started working for Tūī in 2007 as a reliever and started teacher training in 2012, I became a Qualified Registered Teacher in 2014 and was the Head Teacher at Tūī Young Investigators from 2016-2022. I am currently completing a 2 year postgraduate diploma in Specialist Teaching: Early Intervention with Massey University.

I love being an Early Childhood Teacher because I believe it is a privilege to help children to realise their learning potential in their lifelong learning journey.

I also have a diploma in Performing Arts: Drama. I worked as an actor in film and theatre for many years and worked in event management before moving back to the Manawatū with my wife Larissa to help with the family business. I have two adult sons and two granddaughters.

Owner - Director

Hi I am Deborah, owner of Tūī Early Learners in Napier Rd, Albert St and Feilding. I live in Feilding on 10 acres and am married to Lars. We have two sons, one studying in Europe and one at home with us still attending high school. I am proud to be carrying on the legacy my parents started in 1992. I see it as my responsibility to take great care of our teaching teams, as they care for you and your children.

General Manager

Kia ora, ko Jane tōkū ingoa. I am so fortunate to have been with Tūī since 2008 and my role has evolved from the Educational Leader, to my recently appointed role as General Manager of Tūī Early Learners. I am committed to my role as GM in being there for tamariki, parents and whānau, through to each and every kaiako across our nine centres. My role focuses on leadership, mentoring and coaching, HR - and especially from a management and educational perspective. Tūī is part of my extended whānau, and I love that my own whānau is so closely connected as well.

Operations and Administration Manager

Hi I am Larissa , I have been at Tūī since 2007, when Suzanne invited me to come back from Auckland to join the family business, and my husband Robert is a teacher at Tūī. Prior to that, I had a career as a professional Temp, and as an Executive Assistant at places like Microsoft, IAG, and Auckland City Council. I enjoy doing my part to keep the Tūī businesses running smoothly, and at home, I enjoy gardening, chatting with our small flock of sheep, photography, and bushwalks.

Educational Leader

Kia ora, ko Kylie tōkū ingoa. I have been at Tūī since June 2007 where I have had the privilege of being a Head Teacher/Centre Leader, to my recently appointed role as Educational Leader. My passion has always been fostering the lifelong love for learning in children as well as working with kaiako to grow them into heart-led empowering early childhood professionals.

Lytton Street Site Administrator