Stefan joined Maitai School in 2001 after moving to New Zealand from Germany where he worked with children and adults with special needs. He teaches some of our older students in Te Ara Ora. He is also our ICT Lead Teacher. In his spare time Stefan enjoys tramping, mountain biking and being outdoors. 

Stefan can be contacted at: stefan@maitai.school.nz

Carly started working at Maitai School in 2003 as a teacher's aide. She was inspired to pursue her Bachelor of Teaching and Learning, which she obtained from Canterbury University. Carly worked at Salisbury School and relieved at local primary schools before returning to Maitai School in 2008 and again in 2016. She is a dedicated educator who is passionate about fostering a curiosity for learning in all Maitai Kura ākonga. Carly lives with her partner and their five children. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, salsa dancing and having adventures with her family.

Carly can be contacted at: carly@maitai.school.nz

Kate started working at Maitai School in 2017. Originally from the Bay of Plenty, Kate worked at a Special School in Western Australia before she moved back to New Zealand. Kate  currently teaches the Kōwhai Class at Base School.

Kate can be contacted at: kate.smith@maitai.school.nz

Erica arrived in NZ from Australia in 2016. Her focus has always been providing neurodiverse affirming, creative and enriching educational experiences for her students. She supports teachers in her role as Tumuaki Kaiāwhina (Assistant Principal), coordinates the Henley-Waimea satellite, is a member of the Curriculum Team and a Class Teacher to our youngest cohort of students. Previously she taught at Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) and in support units in mainstream public schools. Her interests include ceramics, printmaking, sewing and fibre arts. She enjoys hiking and exploring NZ’s spectacular landscapes.

Erica can be contacted at: erica.harper@maitai.school.nz

Jenni joined our teaching team in 2022 and teaches at our Nayland College Satellite where she manages Junior College and Transition programmes. She has taught in various countries and spent her last 14 years a specialist education school in Auckland. Her passion is to develop learning programmes which are meaningful and fun. Jenni has taught throughout primary school and extensively within special education and values walking alongside our students as they gain the skills to be independent learners.

Jenni can be contacted at: jenni.verity@maitai.school.nz

Nicky came to Maitai School as a classroom teacher in 2022. She is one of the teachers and the site co-ordinator in the Mahitahi satellite at Tāhunanui School. Previously, Nicky taught in country schools at Hira and Lake Rotoiti. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and a BA (Hons) in Town and Country Planning. Nicky lives in central Nelson with her teenage twins.  She loves to travel and works as a volunteer for a charity that supports education initiatives in rural Nepal. 

Nicky can be contacted at: nicky.crawford@maitai.school.nz

Aleksandra started at Maitai in 2021. She has a Masters in Inclusion and Bachelor of History and Sociology.  Aleksandra is also a Slovenian language teacher for the Slovenian community in New Zealand and Australia. Before coming to New Zealand 4 years ago she was a teacher in Slovenia working with special education students within primary and secondary school settings. Aleksandra enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking and outdoor activities. 

Aleksandra can be contacted at: aleksandra.verbost@maitai.school.nz

Juliette joined Maitai School as a classroom teacher in 2018 when she returned to Nelson from London. She currently supports development and implementation of the maths curriculum across the school and manages small projects/initiatives. Previously, Juliette worked as a New Entrant teacher in Christchurch and London. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching as well as a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology. Juliette has a young family and enjoys travel, camping and being outdoors. 

Juliette can be contacted at: juliette.hunter@maitai.school.nz

Laura rejoined Maitai School as a classroom teacher in 2023 after returning from teaching in Christchurch for several years. She is currently one of the teachers at our Henley Satellite. Previously, Laura worked as a Special Education Needs Coordinator in Christchurch. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching. Laura enjoys being active, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends.

Laura can be contacted at: laura@maitai.school.nz

Nic joined Maitai School as a classroom teacher in 2019 when he moved to Nelson from the Kapiti Coast. Along with being a classroom teacher he also is the lead teacher of behaviour. Previously, Nic worked as a teacher in a specialist school in Porirua. He has a Bachelor of Teaching and a Post Graduate Diploma of Specialist Teaching (Complex Educational Needs). Nic has a young family and enjoys gaming, European Historical Martial Arts, camping and most sports.   

Nic can be contacted at: nic.matthews@maitai.school.nz

Mike is our Intermediate teacher at Maitai school. Mike has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Irish Music and Dance from the University of Limerick, and later gained a Professional Masters in Primary Education from Hibernia College in Dublin. Mike is passionate about Special Education with a keen interest in student voice, trauma, behaviour, and regulation. Having worked in Special Education in Ireland, Mike began his New Zealand career with Parkside Special School in Auckland, teaching their Intermediate class for two years. Mike enjoys playing traditional Irish music with his wife and learning about native birds.

Mike can be contacted at: michael.perigoe@maitai.school.nz

Brigid joined Maitai school as a classroom teacher and outreach teacher in 2016.  Previously she worked for BLENNZ and taught in London and Shanghai. Brigid is the outreach coordinator and literacy lead for Maitai school. She is currently working towards a Diploma in Complex Educational Needs. She enjoys exploring good walking tracks around Nelson, reading and The Arts. 

Brigid can be contacted at: brigid@maitai.school.nz

Vanessa has worked as an Outreach Teacher for Maitai since 2016. She has worked extensively in special schools in South Africa, the UK and New Zealand. 

She is enjoying the village feel of living in Mapua and working with students in their local schools.

Vanessa can be contacted at: vanessa.ness@maitai.school.nz

Rebecca joined the Maitai School STOS team in 2017 and loves the diversity of working with ORS students in mainstream schools, helping children to reach their full potential. Rebecca has also worked across all the Maitai Satellite schools as a release teacher, so has connections with the wider Maitai team. Prior to working at Maitai School Rebecca worked in a variety of roles in mainstream schools in the Nelson area.

Rebecca enjoys biking to cafes, visiting the beach, holidays with family and friends and swimming at our local rivers and beaches.

Rebecca can be contacted at: rebecca.robinson@maitai.school.nz

Kathy joined the STOS team in 2022 .

An educator for most of her career, Kathy initially trained in Wellington as a librarian and spent many years with the National Library as a Children’s Librarian and then a Library Adviser before moving to Nelson in 2012. 

In Nelson there was a one year dabble in Hospitality, Cookery at NMIT before going back to education as a Teacher Librarian and a Resource Teacher of the Deaf. Kathy gained her Post Graduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching 2018 and started at Maitai School in 2022. 

Kathy can be contacted at: kathy.graham@maitai.school.nz

Dr Liz Ray began working at Maitai School in 2020 and is employed as a STOS and Offsite Teacher.  Before that Liz was a Teacher of the Deaf for 23 years, gaining her PhD in 2014.  In her spare time Liz is a Justice of the Peace, takes her 3 King Charles Cavaliers into schools with her reading to the dogs’ programme and is training to be a marriage celebrant.

Liz can be contacted at: liz.ray@maitai.school.nz

Kate joined the STOS team in 2022. She trained and taught in the UK before making NZ home in 2006. Kate worked for a number of years as a kaiako for Playcentre Aotearoa and enjoys utilising Learning through Play approaches to meet children's individual needs. She enjoys spending time with her family and this often involves water sports, horse-riding, looking after pets, baking and playing board games together.

Kate can be contacted on: kate.cobb@maitai.school.nz

Jane can be contacted at: jane.mcguiness@maitai.school.nz

Nikki joined Maitai School in 2008 as a learning assistant. Whilst working at Maitai School she completed her Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching and Learning, from Canterbury University. From 2013 onwards Nikki has had a variety of teaching roles through Maitai School as class teacher at base, satellite teacher at Victory School and more recently a STOS role in both Nelson and Golden Bay.

Originally from the UK, Nikki worked in special education schools around Birmingham. She has a Degree in (BA Hons) International Tourism Management and also a fully registered yoga instructor. Nikki teaches kids yoga to school and kindergarten tamariki. Nikki lives in Mohua, Golden Bay, teaching at Golden Bay High School and Takaka Primary School. Nikki has a young family. She enjoys camping, SUP boarding, running and yoga.

Nikki can be contacted at: nikki@maitai.school.nz 

Miriam joined the Maitai Specialist Teacher Outreach Service (STOS) in March 2024. Prior to joining STOS, Miriam worked as an Early Intervention Teacher over the last 12 years in Nelson and Christchurch. She has a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning and a Grad Dip in Specialist Teaching (Early Intervention). Miriam loves spending time with her grandchildren and keeping active with daily activities such as reformer pilates, walking, cycling and generally being outdoors. 

Miriam can be contacted at: miriam.dawson@maitai.school.nz 

Joss joined Maitai School in 2024. She previously taught in Australia and New Zealand for 25 years. Joss has always had a keen interest in supporting neurodiverse learners. 

At university Joss took an extra paper in sign language, which was beneficial when she worked alongside Deaf learners for seven years. She has taught in early childhood, primary and supported teenagers through their high school education too. Joss loves teaching and watching young people grow, developing their confidence and place in the world. It is an incredibly rewarding job.

 Joss can be contacted at: joss.morters@maitai.school.nz