CLUSTER MANAGER - EMMA INGHAM

Kia Ora,

My name is Emma Ingham and this is my second year as a Cluster Manager for the Uru Mānuka (Hornby) area. In 2013 I completed my Bachelor in Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) while working in an early childhood centre in Christchurch, which is where I grew up.

After finishing my studies I moved to Perth, Australia to be with my now fiance, Scott, and lived and worked there for 5 years before having our son Beaudan who is 16 months old. In Perth, I worked on a university campus centre where I was given the opportunity to be a Research Practitioner specialising in S.T.E.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education in early childhood settings and sharing and presenting our research throughout conferences and workshops in Perth.

Since moving back, Scott and I bought a house and are getting married in February 2020. I have been working as an Early Childhood Teacher at a community based centre that I love however am excited to be on board for another Summer Learning Journey.

I am so excited to be a part of this learning journey with you all again and can’t wait to be apart of this experience alongside you.

If you would like to contact me, you can reach me on my email: urumanuka@gmail.com or please check out my SLJ blog: https://umsummerlearning.blogspot.com/2019/ with information for the Uru Mānuka Cluster.

Emma

BLOGGER - MIKEY NODDER

Kia ora everyone!

My name is Mikey Nodder and this is my second year as a blog commenter for the Summer Learning Journey programme and Uru Mānuka team. I have just completed the third and final year of my Bachelor of Education degree and am looking forward to having a classroom of my very own next year.

I have lived in Auckland for the last three years, but I am originally from a small coastal town in the Bay of Islands called Russell. Russell is surrounded by beautiful beaches and is steeped in rich New Zealand history, which made it a wonderful place to grow up. I was lucky enough to live within 5 minutes’ walk of the ocean which meant that a lot of my childhood was spent in, on and around the water. I credit my love of any and all water and beach-based activities to that.

Two of my most favourite things are travel and sports, and earlier this year I was able to combine the two when I travelled to Japan for the Rugby World Cup. It was an incredible experience and Japan has now become one of my favourite places. So much so that I hope to live and teach there one day soon!

Now that you know a little bit about me, I’m excited to get to know a little bit about you! And I look forward to reading all of your wonderful blog posts this summer.

Mikey

BLOGGER - GABE PEARCE

Kia ora,

My name is Gabriel Pearce and this is my first year with the Summer Learning Journey programme. I am currently in my third year of my Bachelor of Education (Primary) at the University of Auckland.

I am originally from Whangarei, which is two hours north of Auckland. I have been living in Auckland for the last 5 years where I have been studying and working. I attended boarding school at Sacred Heart College and live centrally in Auckland, which is both convenient and interesting. The Epsom campus where I study makes for an awesome ‘break away’ from busy Auckland central!

In 2014 I went to Fiji and volunteered in a school in Suva for students who had not been able to attend high school. This opportunity opened my eyes to the joys of teaching and was what inspired me to start my journey in education.

Next year I am planning to travel and work overseas. Currently I am interviewing for an English language school in Shanghai, China. I am very excited for my future in teaching.

I am looking forward to being a part of the Summer Learning Journey experience and working alongside the rest of the Summer Learning Journey team.

Gabe