The Two Rivers Team
This is our team of teachers and staff at Educare Two Rivers. Scroll through to find out more about our teaching team.
Elise Gerrits
Centre Manager
Kia Ora, my name is Elise, I have had the privilege of teaching in Ngaaruawaahia since 2009 and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else! I have lived in Ngaaruawaahia most of my life, I love our community and I feel blessed to work and be part of the town that I live in. Within the community I love building relationships with the people, and being a part of offering quality care and education, making a difference in children's and families lives by doing what we do well. Within my management role I stand side by side with all those in our village ensuring that all are nurtured and empowered to shine. I am a proud Māmā to two boys, Oaklin and Tyden. We love spending time with our very big family, creating memories in Whangamatā or spending time with family in Northland.
Stacey McDonald
Team Leader, Registered Teacher
Hey Everyone, I have been involved in our centre since 2010 in between having my babies. I am born and raised here in Ngaruawahia and together with my husband Jeremy, we have 4 boys! Bray, Nix, Kolbs, and Reevey, all of our boys have been part of the centre over the years and it was a no brainer to have them at work with me as we love the family connections that run through the village and working in our own community raising our boys. We are like one big family in the village and this fits so well with my ideals for not only my children but the children I work with too. In my spare time you can find us as a family fishing, and relaxing at Aotea Harbour which holds a special place in our family as well. I'm really passionate about environment ensuring it's a place for love and learning.
Annita Williamson
Team Leader, Registered Teacher
Kia Ora my name is Annita but many would know me by Nita or Aunty. I have been part of the Centre since 2012 working with all age groups but currently am the Team Leader in the Toddler Room. I am born and breed in Ngaruawahia but currently reside in Huntly with my husband and youngest daughter. I really love coming to work everyday to transfer my love and skills of baking, gardening and how to have fun with our tamariki. I really love being able to share in the discoveries they make through these and other experiences I share with them such as messy/sensory play. I strive to create a warm, nurturing environment that encourages their growth and development and I feel very lucky to have such an amazing whanau here at Two Rivers and look forward to getting to know you and your Whanau too.
Amanda Knudsen
Registered Teacher
Hey I'm Amanda, I am born and bred in Ngaruawahia with long established family roots. My husband Mike and I have three boys; Hartley, Tatum, and Darius and they attend school locally. My family is my life and I cherish the time we all have together making memories. We enjoy going to the beach, going for walks and fishing in our spare time. I began my journey in ECE at the end of 2006, later completing my Bachelor of Teaching. After soaking up knowledge and experience from working in various ECE settings and age groups over the years, it was a huge privilege to become a kaiako in my hometown working alongside our youngest tamariki. I love being able to support and nurture whanau as their children begin their journey of learning.
Leisa Blank
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora, i'm Leisa. I became a kaiako at Educare Two Rivers in 2023. I have been in early childhood education for 23 years, a qualified kaiako since 2007. I grew up in Thames and have been living in the Waikato more recently. I have 4 children and 2 grandchildren, which I totally adore. I have a passion for building strong relationships with tamariki and whanau. I love seeing tamariki grow and learn in a safe, nurturing environment where they have the opportunities that foster their curiosity, imagination, resilience, perseverance, and where they grow to be confident learners. I currently work in the toddler age group. My interests outside of mahi are spending time with my whanau, reading, meeting new people, and walks along the beach.
Sarah Thickpenny
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora Koutou, I grew up here in Ngaaruawaahia, as did my whaanau for many generations before me and now I am raising mine here too. Such a gift to work right in the heart of my home town, helping to foster the wellbeing and growth of our next generation. In our village I work hard to build connections as if the children and whaanau feel safe, secure, and are met with this then we have the core foundations for amazing things to happen. Outside of work you can find me spending time with my family, they are my everything. We love the beach and have some really strong ties to both Raglan and Papamoa. I feel so blessed to have met all the wonderful families I have over the years and also look forward to meeting those to come. Because after all, it’s all about the people.
Kat Ouellette
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora my name is Kat, I am a teacher in the infant room. My passion for the arts transpire in my practice with young children, and you will more than often see me tearing paper, poking clay and scribbling on the floor with them. I am originally from Canada but have made New Zealand my home since 2016, and now have two beautiful wild little boys joining our tribe. The outdoors is my happy place, you’ll most likely find me gardening, planting trees, walking the beaches or wandering the land somewhere with them! Hope to see you around, and come say Hi!
Faith Zhou
Registered Teacher
Kia ora koutou! My name is Faith, and I’m from Hamilton. It’s my pleasure to join our big whānau and work in the beautiful Ngāruawāhia. Every morning, I love seeing the Hakarimata Summit as I drive to our centre. The warm welcome I’ve received from our whānau has made me feel right at home, and our tamariki truly melt my heart. I’m so grateful to be part of their learning journey and to have the opportunity to contribute to our experienced teaching team. I believe in building respectful relationships and see every child as an independent and competent individual. I cherish the moments of learning and growing together with them.
Shanae Jennett
Teacher
Hi my name is Shanae I have a young daughter called Amelia Rose, I grew up in Auckland but have relocated to Ngaruawahia where my husband is from. I spend my weekends at the park with my daughter and at the local pools. I have a passion for working with children and I’m really looking forward to starting my new Journey with Educare Two Rivers.
Gwen van Eesbeek
Teacher
Kia ora, I’m Gwen and am originally from Belgium. My 1st language is French, and I know a bit of dutch, Spanish and of course English, and I've learnt a bit of te reo maori. I live with my fiancé Reece, our daughter Eléa and cat Lula.
I started off here as the cook, then became a support teacher, then not long after that I became an infant teacher and am with the toddler age group.
I feel very honoured to be looking after our tamariki and having beautiful caring moments, great laughs and fun times. I feel really grateful for the whanau and their trust they put into us to care for their little ones.
In my spare time I enjoy singing, dancing and fishing. I also love going to the beach, spending time with the family, my nieces and nephews as to us, family is everything.
Carissa Proffit
Teacher
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Waikato te iwi
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Ngati Wairere taku hapu
Ko Brian raua ko Kirika oku matua.
Ko Carissa Proffit taku ingoa.
Tena koutou katoa.
Kia Ora my name is Carissa.
I have been working with children for a number of years in Te Waipounamu (South Island) and now in the Waikato. I enjoy sharing my Māori culture and skills with the tamariki and Kaiako. I have learnt so much from the nine years I have been teaching at Educare Two Rivers. I am looking forward to this next part of my journey with Educare.
Ngaa mihi nui Carissa.
Emily Williamson
Teacher
Hi I’m Emily Williamson, I started working at two rivers in 2022 just as a relief teacher and fell in love with teaching and watching your children grow and learn. Shortly after starting, I became a full time staff member. I live in Ngāruawāhia with my partner and dog. I love coming to work everyday to help teach and watch your babies grow into strong and independent little people.
Jenna Whitby
Nutritionist
Kia Ora my name is Jenna. Born and bred here in Ngāruawāhia, I felt the call to come home after living in Sydney for 7 years to have our first baby and be around family. I have a background in hospitality and love children so when this opportunity arose I jumped at it. I believe in order for children to grow and learn to their full potential their bellies need to be full of nutritious and fueling foods. I feel privileged to play a role in helping your children flourish here at Educare Two Rivers.
Carole Bowmer
Administrator
Hi my name is Carole, I live on a small block of land in Ohinewai with my husband Dennis. We have 3 adult children, Laura, Amy and Lance, two grandchildren, Emma and Arlo our CF warrior. Our family all love fishing, shooting, hunting and farming. I enjoy chilling at night, watching a movie or series and cooking or baking for family and friends.
I have worked in Education for 27 years, starting as a teacher aide then moved into an administration role where I found my niche. I love my job and enjoy the mix of office work, meeting and greeting our families, whānau and tamariki. It has been an amazing journey at Two Rivers and I am looking forward to being part of the Educare family and working in our new office space in the Infants foyer.
