Our Teachers

Meet our Staff

	Cathrine Holden Dip. Teaching ECE, Fully Registered Hello, my name is Catherine. I have worked in Early Childhood for 12 years. I am married to Andrew and we opened Acorn Early Learning Centre on 12 May 2004. We have two boys aged 14 and 12. I am committed to providing high quality education and care for children. In my spare time I enjoy family time, going for walks, pottering in the garden and catching up with friends.
	Andrew Holden has a business and management background and is a great support to the centre in his current role of Centre Chef part-time as well as building, landscaping and ensuring the grounds and building are maintained to a high standard. He is great at putting all of the ideas and visions that Catherine and the team have into action and has created many projects and developments of his own for the pre-school. Andrew is a welcome addition to our team and we find the children enjoy being involved in Andrews many projects in the centre. Both Andrew and Catherine strongly believe in providing high quality care and education for children. This is evident in the Centre and its programme.
	Diane Diploma Primary Teaching, Diploma of Teaching – Early Childhood Education, Fully Registered, First Aid Qualified, Teacher in the Kiwi Room (6months – 21/2 years). I have been working in Early Childhood Centres since moving to Auckland 13 years ago. I have been here at Acorn since the beginning of 2009 and love working with the younger children. I have 3 children and 2 step children. My husband and I now have 5 grandchildren who give us a lot of pleasure. I come from a farming background and love getting back into the country to visit my farming sons. I also enjoy gardening, fishing, sailing and reading.
	Maya Diploma of Early Childhood Education, Fully Registered, First Aid Qualified, Team Leader for Kiwi Room Children Hi, my name is Maya. I have been working in the Early Childhood Education sector for over ten years and absolutely love working with children, watching them grow into confident young explorers. I have had experience with all age groups and deciles. I believe that time and quality teaching is the best for this age group and as well as learning through different mediums, the importance of having fun is vital! My interests are traveling, photography, gardening and I love spending time outdoors at the beach and going on road trips.
	Anna, B.ed, Fully registered, First Aid Qualified. Senior Teacher in the Kiwi Room, Four Year Olds Teacher. My name is Anna Chapman. I have had 10 years of experience within early childhood centres, 5 years of which I have spent at Acorn. My passion lies with children and through my bachelor of education degree, I have been able to fulfill my dream of working with children. I enjoy teaching a variety of ages, but am really enjoying my time in the mornings involving the four year olds with experiences to support their readiness for school. I feel so lucky to be in such an amazing profession, and like you, want the best for your children.
	Kate, Dip Teaching ECE, Fully registered, First Aid Qualified. Team Leader and Senior Teacher in the Tui Room. My name is Kate Hutchison. I have a diploma in early childhood and am fully registered. I have worked in early childhood for the past 15 years. I have worked with all ages, however have spent most of this time with babies and toddlers, which is my preferred age group. I have been married for 15 years and have two children, a daughter, aged 10 years and a son, aged 8 years. My interests include family time, walking, dancing and generally busy weekends focused around children, sports and family occasions.
	Zara Bachelor of Education, Provisionally Registered, First Aid Qualified. Senior Teacher in the Kiwi Room. Hello, my name is Zara. I have recently completed my degree in early childhood education and am very excited to be working at Acorn. I consider myself to be a learner first and teacher second. I understand that all children are unique individuals who have the right to learn, develop, laugh, play and build relationships and my aim is to develop meaningful and exciting new learning opportunities for every child in my care. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and always love having a good laugh.
	Sharlene Bachelor of Education, Provisionally Registered, First Aid Qualified. Senior Teacher in the Kiwi Room. I attained my post graduate degree in Early Childhood from Auckland University in 2008 and joined Acorn in July 2009. Prior to teaching, I worked in advertising. I hold a Diploma in Business Studies ((Marketing) and worked in agencies within Australia, Chicago and Hong Kong. I have also focused on sport, competing internationally in triathlons over a period of 10 years, in the Long Distance Ironman event and still enjoy running along the waterfront with my two poodles. I enjoy working now with pre-school children because they are so refreshingly honest and full of interesting theories about the world around them which never ceases to surprise me. My aim is to support and extend children’s thinking in any way I can. I have a particular love of storytelling, for its ability to stimulate imagination and discussion with children. I live in St. Heliers, and have a 14 year old daughter.
	Naoko Teacher in the Kiwi Room. Hi, my name is Naoko and I am from Japan. I have been working as a teacher at Acorn since May 2009. I have a Junior High School and High School teacher’s licence in Japan. I have been teaching in Japan and New Zealand for 4 years. I love working in Early Childhood. I am very happy to be able to share special moments with each child at Acorn and my goal is to study to become a New Zealand qualified early childhood teacher. In my spare time, I like playing tennis, going for a jog, shopping, photography, cooking and cycling.
	Sievasina Bachelor of Education, Fully Registered, First Aid Qualified. Teacher in the Tui Room. Hello, my name is Sieva and I am from Niue. My interest in early childhood education began when my sons were babies. Both now are in their early twenties. My mother who was a teacher motivated me to undertake studies at the Auckland University where I graduated with a teaching degree in early childhood education.
	Michelle Teacher in the Tui Room. Hello, my name is Michelle. I am in my second year of study working towards my Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education). I am a teacher in the Tui Room with the Under Two and a Half Year age group and am passionate about physical movement in Early Childhood. I enjoy the different day to day experiences that early childhood education brings and love the curiosity and enthusiasm that children constantly endeavour.
	Jessica Hello, my name is Jess McAuliffe. I am in my second year of study working towards my Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education). I work in the Tui Room with the under Two and a Half Year age group and my son is in the Kiwi room for children aged two and a half to five years. I have huge passion and love for children and thoroughly enjoy working here at Acorn.