About Us
An education collective on a mission to ensure all children have access to a learning environment where they feel seen, valued and safe. We want every child to be understood as an individual and celebrated for their uniqueness. We believe that when children feel connected to their teachers and calm in their learning environment they can develop the confidence to share their ideas, explore and take risks in their learning.
Meet the Teacher
Kia ora. I'm Emma and I live in Rotorua with my four year old son, Ollie. I enjoy swimming, yoga, sewing, music, gardening and DIY.
I come from a family of teachers and began teaching at a young age, by lining up all my teddy bears in front of my whiteboard. Although my first degree was in Fashion Design, teaching has always been where my heart is. I have a soft spot for the artists, the old souls, the quieter kids, the can't-sit-still kids, the dreamers and those that don't quite fit the mold. I am passionate about building genuine relationships with my students and their families, connecting human to human.. As a teacher I hope to act as a facilitator of learning and let children's natural curiosity drive the process.
I have spent ten years working with children in various roles - as a nanny, a teacher-aide, primary school teacher, private tutor and health school teacher. Some of the highlights of my journey as an educator were being involved in play-based learning, STEM education, mixed-age teaching and a strong focus on emotional literacy. In 2023, taking inspiration from each of these areas, I developed SEEN. A place with wellbeing at the heart, where each class is centered on connection and creativity. And it is such a joy to be a part of!
The "SEEN" Way
Share
Children develop deep connections by sharing their thoughts with others. Children benefit from that feeling of being "part of something". With small class sizes, every person is seen, and their contributions are valued. The Maori concept of wānanga is honored - as we create a learning culture that encourages the dynamic building and sharing of knowledge.
Explore
SEEN is a place focused on creativity. With our fluid structure, children have time to try things out, to explore, to be curious. This exploration helps develop confidence, perseverance and a positive attitude towards "failure". Exploration provides opportunities for children to learn about themselves, discovering new areas of interest or ways of doing things.
Empower
We are dedicated to empowering children, fostering their confidence, and inspiring a lifelong love for learning. Children are honored as the leaders of their learning, and as the decision makers - choosing what they might like to create and how they are going to create it.
At SEEN we strive to create moments of challenge, that are appropriate to the individual - where they can push themselves a little and come out the other side feeling empowered, with that feeling of "I did that!"
Nurture
Children feeling safe, secure and connected is our highest priority. With small class sizes, each child is able to be supported. We provide gentle encouragement and are adaptable to the individual's needs and interests.