Early Childhood

Kiaora I’m Jen Watts. I am fun, bubbly and super-reliable! I have a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood Education and over 11 years’ experience in the field of Early Childhood education. Curriculum, learning stories, mentoring, program planning and messy play are my areas of passion and expertise when working in ECE centres. Working at Vision college and helping the next generation get qualified and ready to work as ECE educators is a dream job for me – I want nothing more than to go the extra mile and help each one of my students get qualified and prepared to help them find their place in the ECE world. I coordinate and teach the Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care, Level 3 and absolutely adore getting to know the students and help them achieve their goals to set them up for success in their new career as an ECE Educator. When I’m off the clock I love to go camping, roller blading, sing and play guitar.

Hi there,  I really enjoy my work here at Vision College, whether it be tutoring, building relationships with students, or visiting them when they are on Placement in an Early Childhood Centre.  This stems from a God given passion I have for young children that I have had for as long as I can remember.  This is outworked in taking pre-school music, Sunday School, Creche for over 30 years.  During this time I gained my BA and Teaching Diploma after which I worked in Early Childhood until we had two little ones of our own.  These two are no longer little, being young adults that I count as my friends.   Whilst working here I gained my Cert in Adult Literacy, and am working towards a Leadership Diploma.  I enjoy spending time with family, the great outdoors in any capacity, craft of any type, and I really love worshipping my awesome God.

Since I was a young girl I have relished organising, sorting and planning. Combining this with a delight of caring for children has led me to teaching, first as a nanny, then a preschool teacher and for the last decade or so as an early childhood tutor at Vision College in the School of Education. Over the years I have gathered up a Diploma in ECE, Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood), Certificate in Adult Teaching and Learning, Mauri Ora - National Certificate in Mᾱori (Te Waharoa), which have all helped me in my role.

Seeing transformation in people and situations really spins my wheels, so journeying with students as they grow in knowledge, skills and confidence is the aspect of my job I love most.

When I’m home I like to sit outside with my husband and a good coffee, or head out exploring with my 2 young boys. Having family ‘jam’ sessions or singing in our church music team, poring over Pinterest (pinning things I never get around to making) or hanging out with our large extended family are all ways I like to relax.

Kia Orana God’s Family. My name is Nooroa Tamarua, what a blessing to be working within an environment that gives me the opportunity to incorporate different flavour of multi talents into every intake in our Early Childhood Education Programme. Our Pukekohe campus is very unique, we are a small, yet very vibrant learning environment. Changes does happen in learning, which I embrace, where students incorporate their life-skills, experiences, knowledge, wisdom, culture in their learning. Twelve years ago, I went on a personal journey, gained my Bachelor of Education (Pasifika Early Childhood Teaching), National Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education, Pasifika) and National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care Level 5.

I have been working in the early childhood industry for 20 years now covering a range of different roles in that time. I began my journey in ECE as a nanny for 6 years in the UK and upon my return to New Zealand I began working within the centre environment. I have my diploma and bachelor in ECE as well as my certificate in Adult Teaching. I have been a Nanny, a Teacher, a Head Teacher and a Centre Manager before joining the team at Vision College. I am currently teaching level 5 students which is incredibly fulfilling and I am blessed with 3 gorgeous boys of my own.

I am passionate about quality Early Childhood Education and I enjoy supporting and encouraging students to reach their full potential. I have a Diploma in Teaching and a Bachelor in Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood.

I have worked in Early Childhood Centres in Christchurch for 7 years ranging from teacher to head teacher before starting my own family.

While my children were young I was very active in their school particularly helping with various sport teams.  I have also been a part of the Mainly music team at our church for the past 4 years. 

I enjoy spending time with my family, boating, snow skiing and walks on the beach with our dog.

My name is Ellie Massey and I am a Level 3 Early Childhood Tutor at Vision College in Hamilton. I have over 10 years experience in the early childhood sector and I have taught in a variety of early childhood settings including in kindergarten and as a visiting teacher for homebased childcare. I am very passionate about quality early childhood education and I recognise the importance of lifelong learning. I inspire and guide students to become positive and knowledgeable role models that can support young children to achieve their full potential. I encourage students to build on their own prior experiences to develop a greater understanding of early childhood education, which will set them up for success in the early childhood sector

I would describe myself as a calm, compassionate and respectful person. In 1993 I gained a diploma in nursing through Wintec. After  approximately 3 years nursing at southern cross hospital - mainly in the surgical area, I became interested in early childhood. I have approximately 20 years’ experience in the childcare industry and have worked in many roles as a teacher, centre supervisor, administrator and prior to coming to Vision College I was managing a centre in Hamilton. I feel very passionate about helping students to gain confidence in their abilities and to discover their passion in life. It is so rewarding to see them grow in this confidence and discover their potential. My interests outside of work are walking, mountain biking, shopping, snow skiing, spending time with my family and travelling.

I am passionate about teaching and helping students see their full potential in the gifting they have as future teachers in early childhood education. I am supportive of all the students and love seeing them thrive in their learning. I am respectful of everyone’s culture and endeavour to implement important values that contribute positively in our classroom.

I have worked in various roles across the ECE settings in South Auckland before given an opportunity to tutor at AUT South campus and as an evaluative lecturer for three years. I taught as a lecturer at New Zealand Career College before moving to Vision College almost four years ago. I graduated with a Masters’ Degree (Hons) from AUT in 2016. I enjoy teaching and being part of every student’s life and I feel privileged to be part of their education journey at Vision College.

“Welcome to ECE, Vision College where we are encouraging students, by increasing their confidence through the acquisition of skills, knowledge and ability for job preparation or further study.

While completing my Degree majoring in Organisational Psychology and an Advanced programme for Personnel and Training Management at UNISA, I worked in a leadership role in the corporate environment for 15 years. I was employed to develop and facilitate needs-based programs for a wide region to ensure successful learning and development outcomes for all staff.

Upon a corporate job offer in New Zealand I worked in a managerial capacity for 4 years. Thereafter to pursue a lifelong dream, I attained a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching which followed into full time and relief teaching and leadership facilitation over the next 5 years. I am an educator at heart and at the core of my teaching philosophy is a passion to inspire graduates to achieve excellence and success. As a tutor I am committed to quality delivery and making a difference to the learners, supporting and encouraging them to grow toward their full potential.

In this HOS capacity I remain professionally supportive and equally dedicated to my staff. I am particularly organised and articulate to ensure I meet key stakeholder expectations, ensuring interdependent relationship building with my team, graduates and other staff.

The enjoyment of a great movie, book or creating wellness and well-being products, fills my spare time. Personally, I enjoy sewing, cooking, travelling, cycling, tramping and walking with my son. “

Kia ora my name is Vio Oertly.  I am a new ECE Level 5 tutor in S Block.  For the past 9 years I have been working as a Manager at a Non Government Organisation, and working with the Ministry of Education and Early Childhood Centres to deliver The Incredible Years to ECE teachers. 

I am a registered teacher myself and worked for 10 years in a local Waikato high school. I love the learning process so I am excited to be working here at Vision College with the future educators of our tamariki. 

When I am not at work I love spending time with my hubby, my daughters, my sister and my friends.  On the weekends you might find me riding my horse on our lifestyle block, trying not to get shocked while moving electric fences, or feeding the chickens, walking the dogs, possum hunting or baking chocolate brownies in the kitchen.  I also like going to church, having coffees with friends in town and going to the movies.