our teaching team


Kia ora whānau and tamariki of Willowsong,

My name is Bekah and I feel deeply honoured and excited to be joining the beautiful Willowsong community as one of your kaiako.
For the past six years, I’ve had the joy and privilege of working alongside tamariki in their early years, from precious pēpi under one year old right through to six year olds. Each age and stage brings its own magic, and I treasure the unique journey I get to share with every child.

I am passionate about celebrating the diverse ways tamariki learn and grow. Every child brings their own strengths and ways of seeing the world, and I believe in nurturing those individual sparks with warmth, presence, and care. In my teaching, I strive to create a space where each tamaiti feels truly seen, heard, and valued for who they are.

I love spending time with my friends and whānau and being out in nature where I find great peace. I also enjoy cooking, trying new recipes and sharing nourishing kai, which I believe brings people together in such a meaningful way.

I’m truly grateful to be part of a place where tamariki can grow in such a warm, nurturing, and respectful way.
I look forward to getting to know you all, sharing in your child’s journey, and weaving strong, trusting relationships together.

Ngā mihi mahana,
Bekah

I am Sharon. 

My journey as an early childhood teacher began almost 40 years ago, and I have been a dedicated Steiner kindergartener for the last 27 years.
I have been part of the teaching teams at Titirangi Rudolf Steiner school and kindergarten, Taikura kindergartens, and Te Kopere early childhood centre in Hastings.

Believing that good teachers focus on who they are as well as what they do is integral to my philosophy of teaching, as well as creating a circle of warmth and love around each child ~ seeing each child as a spiritual being on their own journey.

I strive to practice the art of listening and collaboration, being conscious of all that surrounds each child, understanding that each one comes to us not alone, but supported by the aspirations of family and the love of ancestors.

My teaching philosophy is one of learning as well ~ bringing myself to connect with the world, continuing to learn and grow, while staying connected to myself as a spiritual being.

I have 4 children of my own, 3 daughters and 1 son, and 3 grandchildren ~ one for each daughter! They are my delight and continue to bring much joy to the world, myself, and others.

My interests include handwork ~ making things, usually toys, and from childhood I would attempt making anything from anything at hand. Often inspired by nature, I also love to just be in nature.
I enjoy music, both listening and making, I have studied and practice the art of Reiki, massage for relaxation, and have been interested in herbal medicine and natural plant remedies also since my own childhood.

I believe that the young child's connection to their spiritual origins is very strong, and it is their right to be surrounded by best practice and best examples as an earthly guide

My name is Zoe Thorpe
I am a mother to four daughters. I currently run the Willowsong playgroup and run a small business hand making Waldorf dolls .
My interest in Steiner education was reignited with the arrival of my girls . Trying to recapture the unhurried childhood that I was lucky enough to experience, with the arrival of my fourth daughter the pull grew even stronger and the revival of Willowsong Tairawhiti occurred. (The original Willowsong kindergarten being built around the late eighties, where my siblings and I attended) 

We started with a home based playgroup shared around the community’s homes which quickly grew, moving from place to place until finally settling in the lovely space we have now in Patutahi.
To be part of this project right from conception has been a privilege, watching the hard work and determination of the Willowsong committee finally pay off with the opening of the kindergarten.

As the playgroup facilitator I have been able to learn and grow along with the families. Putting to practice the skills I learnt while studying last year at Taruna college ( certificate In Rudolf Steiner education) , I look forward to working with our team of amazing teachers and experiencing the magic of the kindergarten years together.
As the kaiawhina I am excited to be creating nourishing seasonal meals alongside your tamariki . With a focus of fresh and local ingredients and nourishment for the body and soul.

Kia Ora e te whānau!

I'm Amy, and I am delighted to be a part of the Willowsong team. I look forward to getting to know you all, your wonderful tamariki and wider whānau.

I have been working in ECE since 2010, and discovered Steiner education in 2015 when I moved to Gisborne. Alongside my Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and Master of Early Childhood Education, I have undergone part of my Steiner Diploma in Early Childhood Education, and hope to be able to return to complete my final year in the future. Discovering this beautiful philosophy felt like a homecoming; a return to a deep truth I hadn't realised I was looking for. Helping to create a magical childhood where the world is understood and experienced through awe, wonder and reverence is at the heart of my teaching philosophy. I believe that our role as Kaiako is to deeply know each child, foster an authentic relationship with them, and be a guide for their unique journey of learning and discovery through play and meaningful work.

I am originally from Tauranga, but grew up mostly in Wellington. I then embraced the student lifestyle of Dunedin, before taking on my OE, and finally settling down in beautiful Gisborne, where my whānau have many roots. I met my husband James, and together we welcomed our twins, Albie and Mona in 2023. Motherhood has been my focus for the past few years, and I am now ready and excited to return to teaching and reignite my passion for the gift that is the early years.

I look forward to spending time with you all, and sharing in the joy, growth, discovery and the fun alongside your tamariki.

Ngā mihi

Amy

our teaching team

willowsong tairawhiti committee