Teachers

Teacher Room 2 - Syndicate Leader New Entrants

30 Years of Teaching Experience

Hi everyone! This is my third year at T.A.P.S. and I am looking forward to teaching some wonderful new Year 0-1 learners. I have a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring to this position. I have special interests in Literacy and Numeracy and am looking forward to making a difference in the lives of the Room 2 and Syndicate 1 students again this year, especially with our Gaye Byers Literacy programme. I enjoy all curriculum areas and have special interest in Maths and Science. In my spare time I enjoy gardening and being with family and friends.

Teacher Room 19

I currently teach in Syndicate 4 (Yr 5 and 6) area and I am now the longest serving teacher at TAP's having been here more than ten years. I have a Bachelor of Education from Waikato University. I am a trained Reading Recovery Teacher. My teaching passions are Art, Science and Mathematics, but I wouldn't be here if I still didn't love teaching. It is so great to see children attain skills that they didn't think they could meet. I have lived in the Te Awamutu area for most of my life.

Teacher Room 11

Tena Koe
My name is Katie Goodridge and I am teaching in Room 11 for 2012, Yr 1 and 2. I'm looking forward to getting to know the amazing members of Room 11. I'm also glad to have the opportunity to teach at such a fantastic school!

Teacher Room 13

I am very proud to be the teacher in Room 13. I am married with 3 children and love spending my free time with my family camping and fishing. I returned to the University of Waikato as a ‘mature student’ in 2007.

Syndicate Leader (Syn 3) & Teacher Room 12

Diploma in Teaching. Bach. of Education

Kia ora koutou.
A big hi to all the special families of the tamariki in Room 12. Wow I am so excited for my change of role at TAPs this year. Moving from being Syndicate Leader in Syndicate 2 to 3. I spent the first 10 years teaching in the Year 3/4 area so I am really excited about returning to this area of education. I have a real passion for hearing student voice in learning and after teaching in every primary year group I feel the biggest jump you see in learning is in the Year 3/4 area.
My curriculum strengths are the teaching of mathematics and assessment. I cannot wait to continue on the school's professional development of writing and spelling with Mrs Gaye Byers. On a personal note it is wonderful to teach in the community both my husband (Grant Scott) and I live in. I am extremely lucky to share in the lives of 3 wonderful step-sons - Dean (16), Adam (14) & Craig (8).

Teacher Room 8

Hi I am the teacher in Room 8 with Y1 and Y2 children.
This is my third year at TAPS, I was in the same classroom last year and am looking forward to another full on but fun year with this years students.
Please feel free to come and visit our classroom for a chat or to see all the wonderful work the children have achieved.
Also look under our classroom webpage(Our Learning Teams-Syndicate 2-Room8) to see what we have been up to, as well as some links to some fun educational websites.

Teacher Room 9 & Syndicate Leader

Hi, I’m Bridget and I am in my 7th year teaching – this is my fourth year at TAPS. I am enjoying working with the wonderful children in Syndicate 2. My favourite subjects to teach are literacy and art. In my spare time I enjoy being with my family and friends and relaxing at home.

Teacher Rm 3 (Shared teaching NE)

Bachelor of Management Studies; Graduate Diploma of Teaching; Graduate Diploma of Information Technology in Education

Nga mihi nui ki a koutou. Ko Sharon Ngatai toku ingoa.
Ko Grant Ngatai toku hoa rangatira.
Ko Taniora raua ko Pauro a maua tamariki. I joined the exceptional people at Te Awamutu Primary School term 2, 2010. What an exceptional term we had in Room 13. Wow! Our showcase at the end of term 2 was an outrageously fun packed afternoon. Rock on term 3!

Teacher Room 7

Hi! I'm Janette Gillespie - Teacher, Netball Coach, Mother of three teenage children.
I am married to Ken, and have 3 teenage children. We have lived at Kihikihi for the past 24 years. Apart from Teaching my other interests are Doll making(Antique Reproductions), Gardening in my large garden, and of course, shopping. I love Teaching and am presently at Te Awamutu Primary School with a Year 1/2 class. I have been at TAPS for 11 years now but previously taught here 26 years ago in my 2nd/3rd/ and 4th year out teaching, then traveled to Pukenui in Te Kuiti for 7 years. I gave up teaching then, to stay home and be a good Mum. That only lasted about 5 years before I was desperately needed to relieve in Te Kuiti for 13 weeks and have been teaching ever since. I am currently Teaching Room 7, a wonderful class of 6 and 7 year olds and thoroughly enjoying this experience.

Teacher Room 15

Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma of Teaching

I joined TAPS in May 2009 (Term 2)and taught in Room 18 two days per week before going fulltime in Term 3.
I returned to study in 2008 to complete a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Prior to this I attained a Law degree in 1998. I am now in my 3rd year at TAPS and teaching Year 3/4 this year. I am particularly interested in literacy and value the importance of sound literacy skills and knowledge for all students. I am married and we have 4 children.

Room 16 Teacher

Bachelor of Applied Science. Gradute Diploma of Teaching.

Kia ora. My husband and I moved to New Zealand in 1996. We lived in Christchurch for 4 years, moved to Wellington where I obtained a graduate Diploma of Teaching at Victoria University in 2007. We also moved to the Mighty Waikato in 2007 and reside in Pirongia. This is my second year teaching at TAPS. I have two daughters aged 7 and 2.5 years, two dogs and 2 cats!

Teacher Room 17 - Syndicate Leader

I can be found in the top block in Room 17 where I teach Class Mangaohoi, a fantastic Year 5 and 6 class. My husband and I, with our young two sons, made Te Awamutu our home about 7 years ago after many years overseas. At TAPS I enjoy running the Song Squad with Miss James and I run a lunchtime art group for Te Awa Syndicate.

Teacher Room 18

I have been teaching for eight years and have a Bachelor of Teaching degree. I have been at TAPS for 4 years and since 2009 I have been teaching in the Te Awa Syndicate with Year 5/6 classes. The students I work with make my teaching career so worthwhile. I believe that we are all ongoing learners and teachers and students alike are on a journey of discovery together.

Teacher Room 10 - Yr 1/2

Bachelor of Teaching, Post Graduate Diploma in Social Sciences

Hi my name is Tara Walter, I teach in Room 10 and have an awesome class of kids. I have previously taught at Intermediates and Secondary Schools. My passions in teaching are Maths, reading and kids in general. Some of my favourite things to do in class are Maths, Art and P.E. I teach because I love seeing kids enjoy learning.

Teacher Room 20

Bachelor of Teaching and Learning, December 2006. I am now in my fourth year at TAPS and back where I started in the top block and ready to take on the challenge of the big kids again. I have 3 children of my own, 2 daughters at University and my son is a Year 12 student at Te Awamutu College.

Teacher Room 22

Bachelor of Education (Primary)

My name is Kim Lester and I am currently teaching a wonderful bunch of Year 5/6 students. I am in my 5th year of teaching, and this is my 2nd year at Te Awamutu Primary School. I have thoroughly enjoyed working here and hope to continue to teach the awesome kids at this school for many years to come. On a personal level, I have three sons, twins that are 11 and my youngest is 9.

Kapa Haka & Maori Enrichment Teacher

Bachelor of Education, Diploma of Teaching

Ko Raukawa me Maniapoto ōku iwi. Ko Parawera tōku marae.
I’m really loving working at TAPS and having the opportunity to strengthen our children’s identities through te reo me ōna tikanga, and kapa haka as well.
I grew up in Christchurch, and have recently moved to TA to get back to my roots (rather than reading about them in books!)
Ngā mihi ki a koutou!

Literacy Support and Room 3 NE Teacher

My name is Dianne Gudsell. I am a very experienced teacher who is passionate about teaching the core curriculum areas of reading and writing. I am dedicated to teaching junior school children. During my personal time I like to spend time with my family and friends and relax in the garden. I also thoroughly enjoy opportunities to attend sporting fixtures.

Teacher Room 1 NE Class

I completed my teacher training at Auckland College on Education in 1986 with a diploma of teaching in Early Childhood. I have been teaching for 16 years in Early childhood and have been privileged to work at TAPS in the new entrant team. This year I am full time teacher in Room 1 so I can continue to follow my passion of working alongside children and their families who are transitioning into school. I also facilitate the Wednesday Wonderland programme for 4 1/2 year old's.

Fulltime Teacher of Yr 3 and 4