Meet the TCK staff

Ania

Hello everyone! My name is Ania Gradkowska and I will be a Pre-Kindergarten teacher this year.

I gained my Bachelor’s degree in English Philology at the University of Warsaw in 2007 and qualified as a teacher of English in the same year. Shortly after, I gained my Qualified Teacher Status for England and began my teaching career in Newcastle upon Tyne, which also brought me to Hong Kong in 2015. I also completed my PGCE at the University of Sunderland in Early Years. This is my second year at TCK and I feel lucky to be part of the community.

For the past six years, I have had the privilege of both teaching and learning in the Early Years provision at ESF. Throughout these years, I became passionate about learning that is grounded in play and nature. 

A couple of years ago I decided to pursue my passion and become a certified Forest School Leader so I could bring our youngest students closer to nature with the forest school ethos. Being able to watch our students thrive, acquire a loving attitude toward the world and people, and connect with it is the most exciting experience I’ve had since.

I was born and raised in the countryside of Poland, close to a national forest, which I frequently visited with my family as a child. I still recall the sense of adventure and the excitement of coming across various animals and insects as well as the calming effects of being surrounded by trees. I learned the names of them quickly, which is something I still struggle with in Hong Kong!

I cannot wait to meet and get to know you and your children in the upcoming school year and I am sure we will be making lots of new discoveries together and have a year full of wonder.

Becky

Hello everyone, my name is Becky Keefe, I was born in Wiltshire in the UK and spent most of my adult life living in the southern part of the country. 

I have been a resident of Hong Kong for 13 years, and my home has been in Tung Chung for the same duration. If you live in the neighborhood, you might see me around with my 13-year-old daughter.  I have been part of the TCK team since its establishment in 2016. Prior to joining as an Educational Assistant, I worked in the finance sector.  Ms Ania, Ms Gita and I are looking forward to meeting you all in the Dragonfly Class.

Gita

Hello everyone ! My name is Ms Gita and I will be one of the Education Assistants (EA) with Pre-K in TCK.  I am thrilled to join the TCK community and be part of your child’s growth & learning curve. My family and I moved to Hong Kong in 2015 and since then we have grown to love this city and its vibrancy. 

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Master’s in Business management from India. Soon after my post-graduation, I worked in Human resource department for a few years. Due to familial reasons, I took a break from work and focussed on my home front raising three children. I have been doing supply cover for the past one and a half years in TCK . I like every bit of my time with young learners who are such a joy to watch, listen and engage with. With a caring and nurturing environment at TCK and one that fosters independent thinking, creativity, individuality , I believe every child will blossom into a happy and confident individual.

Outside of my work , I love to spend my time with family playing board games, watching their favourite TV shows, cooking, baking, and hiking. I look forward to the new academic year and welcome you’ll  for the exciting learning journey ahead.

Isabella

Hello everyone, my name is Isabella Hobbs and I am one of the Pre- Kindergarten teachers at Tung Chung Kindergarten. I have been very fortunate to work as part of the ESF family since 2019, previously at Hillside Kindergarten in K1 and K2 classes, with a break to study in Oxford, UK, to gain a Post Graduate Certificate of Education for children aged 3-7 years. 

I was born in Hong Kong and spent my early years here before moving with my family to the UK, with lots of visits back and forth. I moved back to Hong Kong officially in 2019 after completing an undergraduate degree in Drama from the University of Exeter which kickstarted my love of story-telling and dramatic role-play in the classroom. 

I live on Lamma Island and I like to spend my time hiking, swimming on the beach, and reading all sorts of books - especially on the ferry to central! My family is spread all over the world, in Europe, Asia and South America and so I love travelling to visit them and exploring new places whenever I can. 

I am so excited to meet all our students and their families throughout the year and to find a place in the wonderful Tung Chung Kindergarten community.

Sairah

Hello, I am Ms Sairah. It is my second year in TCK, I am sure you will love the learning environment just as much as I do.

I am a registered kindergarten teacher and childcare worker; I have been working in this field for 5 years now. I have always been passionate about early childhood education, especially speech and language development. I am a trilingual speaker, onto my 4th with picking up on Mandarin. 

I take inspiration from different curriculums particularly the Montessori Curriculum, which I think covers the holistic development of a child. It enables us, the educators, to help cultivate an independent learner, with hands-on experiences, enhanced social interactions and are passionate about the inclusivity of additional needs for children.

In my spare time, I love to read a variety of books, hike different trails, paint and do Henna art. I've also taken up crocheting with my sister, and we have been enjoying it a lot. 

I am so excited to get to know you and your child, and to build our class community. I look forward to welcoming you in the upcoming academic year.

Gita

Hello everyone ! My name is Ms Gita and I will be one of the Education Assistants (EA) with Pre-K in TCK.  I am thrilled to join the TCK community and be part of your child’s growth & learning curve. My family and I moved to Hong Kong in 2015 and since then we have grown to love this city and its vibrancy. 

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Master’s in Business management from India. Soon after my post-graduation, I worked in Human resource department for a few years. Due to familial reasons, I took a break from work and focussed on my home front raising three children. I have been doing supply cover for the past one and a half years in TCK . I like every bit of my time with young learners who are such a joy to watch, listen and engage with. With a caring and nurturing environment at TCK and one that fosters independent thinking, creativity, individuality , I believe every child will blossom into a happy and confident individual.

Outside of my work , I love to spend my time with family playing board games, watching their favourite TV shows, cooking, baking, and hiking. I look forward to the new academic year and welcome you’ll  for the exciting learning journey ahead.

Amy 

I want to extend a warm welcome to you and your children into the 2023 Tung Chung Kindergarten community. Kindergarten is an exciting time for students and teachers and I am excited to see the learning and joy associated with kindergarten, the very beginning of the school journey! My name is Amy Caldwell and I will be a K1 teacher. I am from Whitby, Canada, which is a town near Toronto. Now I live in Hong Kong with my two cats, Stella and Miller and my two dogs Brooklyn and Foster.

I have a BScH from the University of Guelph in Biological Sciences, which opened the door for international employment. Once I decided that teaching was the career for me, I earned a Graduate Diploma in Education as well as a Master of Education, the Early Years, from the University of Wollongong. I spent three years teaching kindergarten in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and love working in kindergarten. I have been working in Hong Kong at TCK for the past 7 years in both K1 and K2.

Early childhood is an important period of development. Knowledge, skills, relationships and attitudes are developed at an incredible rate. As an enthusiastic, educated teacher who has had the privilege of being instilled with a love of learning at a young age, I strive to be a role model for the students. I’m confident with Ms Tina (Wang Laoshi) and our class’ EA, Ms Shobna, we will not only facilitate learning, but also learn with the students in a classroom filled with wonder and joy.

Entering into a new school year I will work to ensure all members of our classroom feel welcome and are presented with engaging and meaningful opportunities to grow.

Tina (Wang Laoshi)

Greetings, Dolphins and families! My name is Wang Laoshi (王老师), and I have been working in international education for over 7 years. This year marks my third year as a bilingual teacher (Chinese) at ESF Tung Chung Kindergarten. Originally from Nanjing, China, I have been living in Hong Kong for over a decade now, and I moved to Tung Chung last year. I am thoroughly enjoying this neighborhood and all it has to offer.

Being a kindergarten teacher has been my only job since I earned a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from The Education University of Hong Kong. My teaching philosophy centers around educating children from the heart. Teaching with love, patience, passion, and persistence is the key to quality education, and I believe that there is no limit to what our children can achieve when they are encouraged to be the best they can be.I am a firm believer in providing a warm, caring, and inspiring environment that fosters exploration, critical thinking, communication and questioning. By nurturing children to be confident and life-long learners, they can make positive and effective contributions as global citizens to make the world a better place.

Outside of school, I enjoy reading, practicing yoga, and cooking. Preparing different dishes for my family and friends brings me great joy, and yoga helps me find peace and tranquility in my daily life.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child's education journey. I am excited to work with you and your child, and I look forward to a wonderful year ahead!

Genibee

Warmest greetings and welcome to ESF Tung Chung Kindergarten! My name is Genibee, and I am delighted to be part of the K1 Dolphin Class, joining the amazing Ms Amy and Ms Tina.

Originally hailing from the beautiful province of Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon, Philippines, I have been fortunate enough to call Hong Kong my home since 2015. It was here that I pursued my passion for teaching young minds. Throughout my experience in both local and international kindergartens, I have had the opportunity to work with various curricula. However, at the core of my teaching philosophy, I firmly believe in the child-led approach. By guiding children through discovery, inquiry, and play, they can thrive in their ways. This approach not only nurtures their innate curiosity but also instils a deep-rooted passion for lifelong learning.

My educational background includes a degree in Business from Jose Rizal University, Philippines. Furthermore, I have a teaching certificate program from the American TESOL Institute in Florida, US. In my pursuit of enhancing my knowledge and skills in early childhood education, I furthered my education by obtaining a PGCE in Early Years Teaching from the University of Sunderland in the UK. 

I am excited to witness your children flourish and thrive. Together, we will celebrate their achievements, big and small, and support them every step of the way.

Shobna

Hello everyone! I’m Ms. Shobna and it is my pleasure to introduce myself as the teacher for the Frog class. With 7 years of experience at ESF, I have acquired a wealth of knowledge in inquiry-led and play-based learning to support children’s understanding and learning.  I firmly believe in children's natural curiosity and learning potential and as an educator, my aim is to support and extend their thinking through play.

I am a registered kindergarten teacher and hold a PGDE in Early Childhood Education from the University of Hong Kong. Additionally, I have a degree in International Business from the University of Huddersfield, UK. I’m also an ESF parent myself, I have a 14-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son who both attend Discovery College.

I eagerly look forward to building connections and nurturing positive relationships with the children. 

Shirley

Hello everyone!!

My name is Shirley Fernandes. 

I am delighted to welcome you and your child to our TCK community and be part of our warm, caring and vibrant kindergarten. 

Hong Kong is my home, which I share with my husband, son and 2 daughters. I have earned my Bachelor's Degree in Arts majoring in Psychology and History, additionally completing my TESOL qualification. 

My passion for early years teaching has grown working at ESF as a playgroup teacher as well as a class EA, whilst using my skills and experience to bring about wonder and joy to inspire our young minds.I am happiest whilst reading, singing, creating and it will bring me so much joy, doing all of that fun stuff and so much more, with your child in our Frog class this coming year 2023/24. 

I look forward to learning more about each one of you and having fun exploring through play, in our warm and nurturing environment.  

Sam

Hello TCK families, my name is Sam Snelgrove and I will be one of the Educational Assistants working with the Frog Class team. I have worked as a Kindergarten teacher and syllabus coordinator for a leading private International Kindergarten and also as a Learning Support Assistant for an SEN student at Small World Christian Kindergarten, both here in Hong Kong. 

I was born and raised in Hong Kong, am an ex ESF student myself and Mum to two teenagers, my daughter who will be moving into Year 11 and my son who has just completed his IB Diploma at West Island School. I love the great outdoors, nature, travelling and being creative through art. 

I am very excited to meet you all and join you on your learning journey with the wonderful Tung Chung Kindergarten community.

Enjoy the rest of your summer holidays and see you soon!

Anna

Hello, Everyone!

My name is Ms. Anna. Originally from New Zealand, I have spent the last 15 years living and teaching in early childhood education overseas. As a mother of two, I understand the importance of creating a nurturing and supportive environment where children can thrive and grow.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, and I am passionate about making learning a fun and engaging experience for children. I firmly believe that children learn best when they are given the opportunity to explore, play, and connect with the environment and the world around them. I also love music and enjoy helping children build confidence and kindness.

To me, kindergarten is more than just a classroom - its a place where children can explore their imagination, discover their identity, and have a blast while learning through play and exploration.

Catherine

Hi, my name is Ms. Catherine. I will be one of your Educational Assistants (EA)  in the Giraffe Class!

I am an EDB registered teacher, with a Postgraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education. I also have a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines. I have been working with ESF for the past 12 years as a Playgroup Teacher and as an Educational Assistant. Prior to my teaching career, I worked as a graphic designer for many years.

I like doing anything creative like drawing, painting and in my spare time, I do a lot of baking! But most of all, I love working with children and to see them thrive through their early years of schooling. With this, I look forward to being a part of this year’s K1s and embark on a learning  journey with the Giraffe class.

Vanessa

Hello everyone and welcome to our TCK community! I’m really excited to be a part of your learning journey of limitless imagination and endless possibilities. I look forward to getting to know you and your families as we learn and grow together.

I, Vanessa, moved to Hong Kong 33 years ago from Mumbai, after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, majoring in Income Tax and Accountancy, to start a carrier in the airline industry.

Living out of a suitcase for 30 years allowed me to satisfy my curiosity and experience different cultures, and exposed me to a global audience. 

My love of the outdoors led me to explore the greener side of Hong Kong and helped me realise my goal of completing the 100 km Trailwalker race, twice. Until I had my son, I spent most of my holidays trekking and hiking up Kilimanjaro, Mt Fuji, Kotakinabalu and a few other mountains in China.

Being a very hands on parent made me realise how much I enjoy the boundless energy and curiosity of little children and that led me to obtain a TEFL certification.

Life as an educational assistant at TCK over the last 18 months has given me a deep understanding of the joys of working with young children and a strong appreciation for the importance of fostering positive relationships with the children, their families and staff alike.

I am really excited and looking forward to spending the academic year learning and growing ‘step by step’ with you in our warm and nurturing TCK environment.

Emilie

Hello everyone! This is Ms. Emilie and I will be working alongside Tang Laoshi and Ms. Payal in the Elephant Class. I am fortunate to work with a very established ESF TCK team.

Over the past ten years, I have been a strong advocate of child-centred, and inquiry-based learning, which promotes creative thinking and emphasises relationship-driven learning environments. I believe every child is special and talented in their unique way. Seeing myself as a dedicated educator, I am committed to inspiring children to develop a lifelong growth mindset and empowering them to be a confident individual.

I received my Master’s degree in Special and Inclusive Education from the University College London and my Postgraduate Diploma in Education- Early Childhood Education from the University of Hong Kong. I have also graduated from Baptist University’s Certification Course for Kindergarten Principals. The continuous professional development helps me enhance my holistic teaching approach throughout my professional's career.

K2 is packed with many gorgeous things to explore. I am so blessed to have this remarkable opportunity to educate and grow with your precious child. I am looking forward to building a genuine bond and a high level of trust with the children and you throughout the learning journey.

Shirley (Tang Laoshi)

Hello everyone. I am Tang Laoshi and I am from Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

I earned my Bachelor's Degree in English Interpretation in my hometown Chengdu and Master's Degree in Education as well as PGDE in Early Childhood Education in Hong Kong. I have been working in various international schools in Hong Kong since 2013 and was a language teacher in my hometown for 3 years. Prior to that, I volunteered at a kindergarten in an earthquake affected area in Sichuan; this is where I initially became inspired to be the best early childhood educator I could possibly be.

My passion is to make connections with young children and provide learning opportunities in a context that is authentic, engaging, and relevant to young learners. As an advocate of Reggio Approach, I view every child as strong and capable protagonists in their own learning. Observations of children at play and their interactions with peers in the physical environment help to inform my practice and to devise learning opportunities in response to their interests and identified learning needs. 

I strongly value the partnership between parents, caregivers, and schools and believe that working closely with families can have a positive impact on children's learning outcomes. As a qualified children's yoga teacher, I am also committed to promoting children's wellbeing and integrating mindfulness practices into my teaching.

I currently reside in Tung Chung with my husband and two young boys and am eagerly looking forward to meeting everyone soon.

Payal

Hello, I'm Payal Shah, and I'm excited to join the TCK community as an Educational Assistant. I've been living in Hong Kong for the past 13 years with my husband and 7-year-old son, who is also an ex-TCK student.

My passion for education led me to transition from a successful career in banking to volunteer at TCK two years ago. During my one-year experience as an Educational Assistant in TCK, I learned the value of creating a supportive and engaging learning environment for students.

I believe that every student has unique strengths and needs, and I'm committed to helping them reach their full potential. I'm excited to inspire and nurture the curiosity of the students while creating a fun and loving environment. I believe that this will bring out the best in each individual and help them develop a love of learning. I’ll

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, travelling, and exploring new surroundings with my son. I hope to impart the value of personal growth and exploration to my students.

I'm looking forward to contributing to a safe, secure, and inclusive learning environment at TCK and am excited to meet all of you all this August.

Cherylanne

Hello, my name is Cherylanne Morton and I am so happy to be a part of the TCK community! I am an early childhood educator with over ten years of teaching experience in Hong Kong. I am a devoted believer in the child-centred approach, and most appreciative of how it enables children to communicate with their peers, think for themselves as individuals, be comfortable with being different, and take ownership of their own learning. I strongly believe that children are active learners who do best when given agency over their own educational path.

I believe that, for children, learning is best accomplished through play. Play encourages children to inquire, explore, and acquire new knowledge. I always do my best to promote play in my classroom to make sure my students are able to express themselves and their own ideas with everyone around them so that they can develop into happy, knowledgeable, and well-rounded individuals. 

I received my bachelor’s degree in the UK from the University of Sunderland. Later, in Hong Kong, I received my Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education from the Education University of Hong Kong, and I have also graduated from Baptist University’s Certification Course for Kindergarten Principals. Learning never stops, and it is always an exciting journey for both educators and students.

I was born in Newcastle in the UK, and although now Hong Kong is my home, I appreciate the opportunity to visit my family in the UK and the USA. I cannot wait to get to know everyone in the coming school year!

Yolanda

Hello, my name is Yolanda Fernandes and I am delighted to be a part of your child’s learning journey at TCK this year. 

I am passionate about creating an environment in which a child’s natural curiosity is harnessed through exploration and discovery; I believe in making their experiences meaningful, engaging and fun, giving each child the opportunity for their individual needs to be met. 

I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and have been an Early Years Educator in Hong Kong for five years having completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education from The University of Hong Kong. 

I am excited for the start of the school year and look forward to getting to know everyone!

Aylin

Hello, my name is Aylin Demirkaya Kirk. I am originally from Antalya/Turkey. I studied Early Childhood Development and Education in Turkey and I have worked in International PYP schools worldwide for 16 years in Turkey, Philippines and in Hong Kong. My previous working experience was at ESF Bradbury School when we moved to Hong Kong from the Philippines in 2011. I have been living in Hong Kong for 12 years with my husband and my 9 year-old son. It will be a great pleasure knowing that I will be continuing my duties as an EA for the 8th year here at TCK. 

TCK has a nurturing, loving environment where children can learn and experience new challenges that will help to build their confidence and their development while they play.

In TCK we know that play is a child’s most important work, and we strive to create and maintain an environment where your child can grow and thrive while exploring the world around them. Working with young children has always been my passion.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and I also enjoy cooking, reading, travelling, practising yoga and swimming.

I am looking forward to meeting you and to getting to know all about your children. I can’t wait to spend the next learning year growing with you.

Kirsty

Hello Families!

My name is Kirsty Baron and I am excited to get to know your children next year! I am originally from a small town near Manchester, United Kingdom where I gained a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography from Newcastle University. It was there that I discovered my passion for working with young children, which prompted me to move to London to pursue my teacher training. I gained a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Sheffield Hallam, whilst training in schools in East London. I have been back in Hong Kong for 6 years and I am excited to continue my journey with ESF Tung Chung.

I am passionate about creating a safe space where children feel valued and respected as an individual and where they also feel part of a community. Every child is unique and it is my role as the teacher to understand what makes each child special. To create a supportive and nurturing learning environment, I believe it's crucial to build positive relationships with families and work in partnership. Collaborating with families provides valuable insights into each child's background, interests, and culture, which can inform my teaching and enable me to meet the child's individual needs more effectively. Establishing trust and open communication with families is also essential for enhancing the child's education and overall well-being.

I strongly believe in children learning through play as this supports the holistic development of each child and a love of learning. Young children have a natural curiosity and wonder about the world around them and I encourage children to ask questions and share their observations with their teachers and peers. It is important that children have the opportunities to take risks during their play as this creates opportunities for children to develop their problem solving skills and develop a growth mindset approach to tasks.

I look forward to getting to know you all next year!

Rashmi

Hello! My name is Ms.Rashmi and I will be one of your educational assistants (EA) next year. I have been working at ESF Tung Chung since 2016. I grew up and studied in India completing my Bachelors in Economics and my Masters in Public Management. In connection with Education, I have done a course for Educational Assistants conducted by St. Martins College in the U.K. I have also done a distance learning course in Teaching Methodology offered by Cambridge University and additionally have a TEFL qualification. 

I love life in Hong Kong and especially enjoy activities like hiking, watching movies and playing hockey. I look forward to the new academic year and especially to getting to know all the children in the Tiger class.

Florence

Hello, Families! 

I am Ms Florence. I am a qualified Early Years teacher with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from The Education University of Hong Kong. I have worked for more than 5 years in different kindergartens in Hong Kong and the passion I have towards teaching children has never changed and still continues. Now, I have been working in Tung Chung Kindergarten for few years. I love the toys, environment and everything here. It makes me feel so happy to be here everyday.

I grew up in Hong Kong and live with my parents and my elder brother. I love traveling and exploring new places with my family because that can make me learn a lot of things in different countries. At the same time, I love spending time with my family and friends. Also, I enjoy most outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, running, dancing etc. For indoor activities, I like reading and playing board games. I always let the children explore and try more things and I think that’s the best way to learn.

I am looking forward to seeing you all in August. I can’t wait to spend the next year learning and growing with you!

Amanda Chen (Chen Laoshi)

Hello, My name is Amanda Chen and I will be the Chinese Language Teacher next year in TCK.

I am originally from Xi’an, China, and have lived in Hong Kong for over ten years. I started working in early years education since I graduated from Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2010. The passion I have towards teaching children Mandarin has motivated me to gain my Postgraduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education. As a qualified teacher, I have been very fortunate to work in different international schools as a Chinese language teacher and bilingual class teacher. I believe each child is unique and has the potential to bring something special to the world. No matter what language children speak and try learning to speak, they all have a right to respect, regardless of their abilities. As a teacher, I am very happy to be a part of their learning journey. I am looking forward to bringing fun Mandarin learning experiences to all the English classes next year in TCK.

In my spare time, I enjoy baking and travelling. Fitness has been my biggest hobby, which has led me to become an internationally qualified personal trainer. I organise weekly boot camps for TCK staff and it has been so much fun to train with my lovely colleagues.

Thea (Dai Laoshi) 

Hello, my name is Thea DAI. I joined the Chinese team in ESF Tung Chung Kindergarten in 2020. Before, I worked in ISF and IMS in Hong Kong. 

I graduated in Shanghai with a bachelor degree, and I completed my postgraduate diploma in education ( ECE) in the Education University of Hong Kong in 2018. I have been working in Chinese teaching and learning for more than 5 years.

I believe that the play-based approach can be an effective way to support Chinese language learning, especially for young children. Play-based learning is an approach that involves using play activities to teach children new skills and concepts, and children can learn new Chinese vocabulary words and phrases through games, songs, and storytelling. They can also practice their speaking and listening skills through role-playing and other interactive activities.When it comes to learning Chinese, play-based activities can be particularly beneficial because they help to make the language learning experience more engaging and enjoyable.

Overall, the play-based approach can be a highly effective way to support Chinese language learning, especially for young children. By providing a fun and engaging learning experience, play-based activities can help children develop strong language skills and a love for learning that can last a lifetime.

I have a strong passion for teaching Chinese language with our multilingual learners in early years. As a language teacher, I hope I am not only a language teacher, but also a promoter of Chinese culture.

Tilly

Hello everyone, my name is Tilly Dunn and I am the Learning Diversity Coordinator here at Tung Chung Kindergarten. Wishing a warm welcome back to all those families that were with us at TCK for K1, and wishing a warm welcome to all families who will be joining us for the first time this year. 

As TCK’s Learning Diversity Coordinator, I will be working closely with our class teaching teams and families to support children’s ongoing learning and development. I am from Manchester, England, where I received a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with an Early Years specialism from Manchester Metropolitan University. I have been working in educational settings across Hong Kong for the past 7 years before joining the TCK community in 2021.I worked across K1 and K2 as a Class Teacher and have thoroughly enjoyed supporting our school’s diverse community of learners. It has been a pleasure to get to know TCK’s community of families and children and I am looking forward to meeting more of you this coming school year. 

My passion for Early Years education comes from my belief that Early Years educators have the unique opportunity to set the foundations for an education that provides the skills and knowledge for children to become competent and confident lifelong learners. I believe that every individual child has their own unique educational journey and each child’s strengths and stretches should be celebrated and supported through an individualised approach to learning. As TCK’s Learning Diversity Coordinator, I am committed to ensuring that all of the children in our learning community have the opportunity to flourish in their education. 

I hope you all have a wonderful summer holiday!

Aruna

Hello everyone!  My name is Aruna Kothari, and I am from  Mumbai, India. I hold a Diploma in Fashion & Textile Designing and more recently I have also completed a Diploma in Early Year Child Care & Education from Asian College of Teachers.

I have been part of the ESF Explore playgroup program for the past couple of years,  working as an Educational Assistant helping children explore the surroundings and develop their understanding through a range of activities. I strongly believe that play-based educational activities allow for the expression of personality and uniqueness.

I am passionate about working with children and love encouraging them to design and create and build. I find joy and sense of fulfillment to make a positive impact on young children’s lives and help them develop important skills. I am excited about the opportunity and looking forward to support teachers in creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for students. Being a mother of two kids I understand the importance of a supportive environment that encourages their curiosity, fosters their passions, and helps them develop their unique strengths.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, going for Hikes, listening to Music and Baking.  I also love dancing and have experience in choreographing young kids for dance performances at various community events.