Kia Ora and welcome to Montessori STARS.
My name is Sharon Anderson, Shaz and I am the Owner/ Director of our amazing Montessori STARS. I have so much love for children and have been involved in the care and education of tamariki aged from newborn up for the past 42 years. I started my Early Childhood career as a nanny in Sydney Australia, continued in London, and then in my home town Christchurch.
I have a 21-year-old son, Jedd and a 16-year-old daughter Julia, a Jack Russel called Roxy, and a Spoodle called Xena. I live in Lincoln and enjoy the travel to and from work listening to my favourite songs.
In my early childhood years, I loved to play with my dolls and started babysitting when I was 12 years old. Yes, how incredible to think that at the age of 12, I was trusted and left alone with babies and young children.I was very confident doing this due to many family holidays away looking after my parent’s friend’s children while supervised.
My personality shines with a natural strength for empathy, compassion and gratitude with an intrinsic love for all children, education and the Montessori Philosophy.
I believe it is vital to work in reciprocal partnerships with parents and families to create a warm loving environment at the heart of your child. You know what you want for your child and we are here to meet your needs.
As an Owner/Operator, fully qualified and certified teacher of our fabulous team at Montessori STARS we promote an open door policy where whānau will feel welcome at all times.I am always available any time by phone, message and email if you need to talk about concerns or celebrations as we strive to promote positive outcomes for all. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our families for trusting us with your precious children.
Aroha nui
Shaz
♥️
(Teacher)
My name is Aimee and I am a fully registered kaiako (teacher), having graduated with my Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) in early 2013. I also gained my NAMC Montessori Diploma in October of 2018. I am married to a lovely Englishman called Tony and together we have two rambunctious wee poppets, Charlotte (8) and Luke (5).
I am a firm believer that all children need and deserve our time, love and respect with a healthy dose of humour, grace and compassion thrown in for jolly good measure. I enjoy building responsive and reciprocal relationships with tamariki and whānau, working in partnership towards creating tamariki who are resilient, kind, respectful and firm in their knowledge that they have a place in the world.
Whitney Houston got it right when she sang about children being our future, it is my job to guide them as they grow, to show them the beauty they possess inside and how to let it shine brightly into a happy, healthy future – filled with all manner of possibilities!
I cannot wait to get to know your child (and you!) and be a part of their learning and growing journey here at Montessori.
Hello and welcome to Montessori STARS,
My name is Laura Newell and I am a qualified and certified teacher, working alongside Shaz in management at Montessori STARS. I am a Mummy of two (Maisey and Toby), married to a handy man named Nick and we have a fur baby named Bailey. I graduated in 2010 and have spent my years teaching and leading teams working in both nursery and preschool settings. My focus has always been on empowering and guiding fellow teachers to lead with their strengths and grow through their challenges. I believe that a teacher’s professional learning and growth journey can play a big role towards providing quality care and education for young children.
I look forward to meeting with you very soon.
(Teacher)
My name is Rachel Murray and I’ve been involved in the Montessori environment in New Zealand for the last 30 years. I did my Montessori training in India in 1978 then I did further early childhood studies in the UK in 1979. In 1992, after arriving in New Zealand, I worked in a Montessori pre-school in Christchurch, and then in 1998, I completed my Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
My passion is in extending children through Language and Maths within our ECE curriculum. My other passion is cooking. My husband and I spend a lot of time with young adults, frequenting interesting Christchurch cafes and restaurants. My husband and I have been married for 37 years and we have lived in Christchurch for 31 years. We have an adult daughter who’s married and lives with her husband in London. We visit them once every two years. Whenever we visit my daughter, we also take the opportunity to visit other countries around Europe.
I look forward to meeting your child and supporting their learning and development.
(Teacher)
Tena koutou katoa,
Ko Sue Wright toku ingoa
Ko Whanganui a Tara toku turangawaewae, engari Ko Otautahi taku kainga enaianei.
Ko Lily toku kotiro.
Hi, I’m Sue Wright.
I’ve been a teacher for fifteen years. I trained and worked for nine years in a Montessori centre, and more recently worked for six years as a Kindergarten Head Teacher; both in the Wellington region.
I’m passionate about Montessori, I see it as my true niche. I love the philosophy of respect, the calmness that brings to the environment, and the way in which the materials engage and extend the children’s learning. My daughter Lily completed all of her schooling in Montessori, from pre-school right through to college and I am convinced it has helped to mould the strong and capable young woman she is today.
I would love to share my passion and knowledge of the Montessori curriculum with you and your children, and hope that the experience will be as rewarding for you as it has been for me and my family.
(Teacher)
Kia ora, My name is Sarah, and I’m the newest kaiako here at Montessori Stars.
I began teaching in 2006 when I graduated with my ECE diploma. My first job was in a Montessori centre that I had been to as a third year student. I loved the philosophy and centre so much that I went back and got a job, eventually working there for just over 10 years collectively. During this time I got my Aperfield Montessori Diploma and upgraded to a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning in ECE as well.
My son, Angus was born in 2013 and I had 3 lovely years at home with him. I did some relieving and then Isobel (Izzy) came along in 2017. I had almost 2 lovely years at home with her before returning to work.
At home I have an almost 14 year old dog called MJ, cats called Felix, Eddie and a semi-feral (long story!) cat called Daisy. I love going to the gym to lift weights and hanging out with all my whānau on the weekend – I have 7 nieces and nephews!
I value building relationships with tamariki and whānau and look forward to getting to know you all better as the days go by!
(Relieving Teacher)
Hi my name is Simoane,
I’ve recently started my journey in education, currently training to become a teacher support. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Montessori STARS team. My family is my greatest joy, and I’m blessed with four wonderful children aged 19, 14, 9, and 6. They keep me on my toes and constantly remind me of the importance of nurturing curiosity and fostering a love for learning. I have embraced the world of homeschooling for 6 years enriching my own children’s lives with love, knowledge and growth.
My husband and I have been happily married for 11 years, and together we share our home with several pets, including a dog, a cat, and 11 chickens. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, and if you can’t find me I’ll most likely be at the beach enjoying the sunshine rays and the sand between my toes.
I look forward to the opportunity to build relationships with parents and their tamariki as we venture on a journey of growth, laughter and learning.
