Back to Little Wonders site Greenmeadows
Contact Book a Tour

Our People

mel.jpg
Melissa Hall, Centre Manager

Kia ora, I’m Mel and I am the Centre Manager here at Little Wonders Greenmeadows. I have been apart of the Little Wonders whānau since February 2021. I have always known I was going to be an early childhood teacher, but it wasn’t until I had my son, Hunter that I decided to take the leap so when Hunter turned one I started full time study and I haven’t looked back! I have been teaching for over 13 years now.

What I love about teaching is building relationships with tamariki and whānau and being able to share in their learning journey. It is an amazing feeling watching tamariki succeed and being able to celebrate in their success alongside them. I love working within the mixed age group here at Little Wonders as you can see tamariki learning from each other, and you know that every day is different!

A little bit of information about me: I come from a small family born and bred here in Hawke’s Bay. I am the oldest child and I have a younger sister. I live with my husband Brendan and our son Hunter who is 14. We also have Brendan’s 16 year old son William lives in Havelock North and we see him often. In the weekend I enjoy spending time with whānau and friends, and listening to music. I also enjoy getting outside and going for walks.

more
Lisa.jpg (1)
Lisa Potts, Team Leader, Under 2s Qualified Teacher

I have been working with ngā tamariki for many years, volunteering in certain places and working as an in-home caregiver. I decided to train once I'd had my own children. It was always a dream of mine to be a teacher. So in 2015 I walked across the stage as a adult student and qualified. My teaching journey led me to join the Little Wonders team in 2018.

It brings me joy to witness, and be a part of the learning and developmental journeys our tamariki experience. It gives me great delight when they figure something out for the first time, or they learn to climb that tree they have being trying so hard to climb. I love the smiles, the sense of accomplishment, and the knowing in themselves that they can be or do whatever they want.

I have two tamariki of my own, Brodie, 14, and Charlii Rose, 10, and I have been married to Richard for ten years. As a whānau, we all enjoy rugby and netball and are active members of the Taradale Rugby & Sports Club. We also enjoy spending time together out and about, or in the garden.

Bachelor of Teaching in ECE, First Aid Trained

more
Sandy.jpg (1)
Sandy Zachan, Teacher Over 2s

Kia ora,

My name is Sandy and I am a Fully Registered Teacher working with the Over 2s.  I am the centre’s driving force behind our Transition to School programme, overseeing curriculum content that is relative to both Te Whariki and the New Zealand Curriculum.  While my passion and focus are towards the older children, being in a mixed aged environment is something I enjoy as each age group offers their own challenges and highlights, which makes every day rewarding.

I completed my teacher training (Diploma of Teaching – ECE) at EIT Hawkes Bay in 2006 and have been working in ECE ever since.

I have lived in Hawkes Bay all my life.  I come from a very big family and am the youngest of seven.  I now live in Taradale with my husband Brendon.  In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors – walks, the beach and jet skiing.  I also enjoy music, gardening and believe it or not, I find doing the housework relaxing!

more
Naileen.jpg
Naileen Bush, Centre Cook / Support Teacher

I've worked at Little Wonders Greenmeadows since mid-2018. I enjoy the environment with the tamariki, learning alongside them and working together with the team.

I am passionate about te reo me ōna tikanga and arts and crafts.

I have a 13 year old son called Kendall, and outside of mahi I enjoy spending quality time with my whanau, listening to music, family holidays and kapa haka.

Katlyn.jpg
Katlyn Harrison, ECE Teacher

Kia Ora!

Ko Endeavor tōku waka
Ko Harrison tōku tangata
Ko Strong tōku hapū
Ko Harrison tōku iwi
Nō Ingarangi ahau
Ko Viv Harrison tōku māmā
Nō Ingarangi ia
Ko Katlyn Harrison tōku ingoa
I whānau mai ahau I Heretaunga
Kei Greenmeadows ahau e noho ana
Nō reira, ko te hē o te kotahi ko te hē o te katoa
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

Kia ora. My name is Katlyn Harrison. I am a provisionally certificated early childhood teacher having completed my degree study at EIT in 2021.

I am very passionate about children's creativity and the use of the arts to develop self-regulation and emotional awareness. I studied contemporary performance music at IdeaSchool, graduating in 2015, and was a wedding singer for five years. During this time I became particularly interested in music and art therapy for children.

My personal philosophy is deeply rooted in the ideas of professional love, warmth, and responsiveness as discussed by theorists such as Emmi Pikler and Magda Gerber. My practice is also influenced by concepts such as free movement, free play, and child-led/local curriculum. I feel very passionate about supporting the tuakana-teina relationship and providing children with opportunities to direct their own learning.

I am very grateful for this opportunity to learn alongside the Little Wonders community and get to experience what it is that makes Little Wonders amazing!
Feel free to chat to me about any questions you may have or simply come and say hi!

more
kayla.jpg (1)
Mikayla Martin, Unqualified Teacher

Kia ora, my name is Mikayla Martin. I’ve lived in the sunny Hawke’s Bay for my entire life which has been beautiful. There is so much to see and do here. I’m the youngest of 6 siblings so growing up here, I have had a lot of different opportunities. I have been in early childhood for a little over 12 months and have found my forever placement here at Little Wonders. I enjoy our environment here with the children and staff. I can’t wait to get to know more about the children’s families and building strong relationships with them.

My life outside Little Wonders includes a lot of family time and traveling around the North Island. My family are all involved in speedway, and my 2 brothers race in the speedway. It is amazing that I get to see different places around the North Island as I travel around with them. Most of all my partner of nearly 8 years and our beautiful dog Honey which she is a lab cross makes up my family.

more
Juliet.jpg
Juliet Watt, Fully registered over two year old teacher

I was born the middle daughter of a book seller and a phone toll operator in Napier. I have an older and younger sister who both live in different parts of New Zealand. I first completed my BEd Teaching in 2000, went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Education in 2005, then ESOL Certificate, Reading Recovery Certificate and Graduate Diploma Early Childhood in 2013.

I am artistic, reflective, value collaboration, contributing to the learning environment and it’s beauty. My priority has and always will be to teach tamariki to think independently, be resilient, risk takers and have fun, learning in their own rhythm and time. How I teach is determined by the Third Environment, I set up to invite play possibilities.

I am involved in a number of Pantomines with Frivolity Minstrels and have sung and danced with a group called YS@H. I love gardening, sewing, writing and art.

more