About Us
Sharon Smith
Sharon Smith is a founding trustee and Chair of NZITC. She is a RIE® Associate and a passionate advocate for our youngest citizens and their families. Sharon facilitates all the RIE® programs, and is a RIE® Mentor. She consults with parents and alongside teaching teams. Sharon offers professional development and mentorship within Early Childhood Centre programs around New Zealand through her consultancy, Magic Child Ltd. |
Anita Homewood
Anita has been a part of the New Zealand Infant and Toddler Consortium since its inception in 2011. An educator for over 20 years, Anita has a wealth of experience in working with infants and toddlers. From early on in her practice, Anita is inspired by Magda Gerber’s Educaring® Approach. In May 2010, Anita completed the RIE® Foundations: Theory and Observation™ course. She continues to share her passion with children, whanau and teachers. She currently works as a Professional Learning Facilitator with Education Leadership Project (ELP). |
Justine O’Hara-Gregan
Justine is a Professional Teaching Fellow in early childhood initial teacher education. Her research interests are in the fields of teacher wellbeing, interpersonal neurobiology, and social and emotional learning. Justine believes in the value of developing respectful, responsive and reciprocal relationships with learners of all ages. Justine completed her RIE® Foundations: Theory and Observation™ course in 2012. She has been a member of the NZITC Board since 2014 and is Board Secretary. |
Malenka Robinson
Malenka has been on the board of NZITC in the Treasurers role since 2014. Malenka completed RIE® Foundations: Theory and Observation™ Course in 2011. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) from the University of Auckland. She is an educator at Oma Rapeti Early Learning Centre in Freemans Bay, Auckland. Malenka believes in the critical role of strong relationships with teachers, whānau and children. |
Ania Wojcikowski
Ania joined the NZITC board in 2012. Currently her role is IT Manager. Ania has attended the summer course at the Pikler institute in 2009 and completed the RIE® Foundations: Theory and Observation™ course in 2010. She enjoys applying this knowledge into practice every day working with the children at The Learning Centre in Ponsonby, Auckland. Ania is also passionate about sharing this work with other adults. |
Elena Marouchos
Elena is a RIE® Associate inspired by Magda Gerber’s Educaring® approach. Her journey towards becoming a RIE Associate has been a foray in trying to understand what the Approach might look like in different contexts. She is passionate about working alongside teachers, parents and whānau who are interested in layering their own knowledge while instilling a confidence to articulate practice in ways that are authentic and leave lasting impressions on children. Elena is an ECE consultant offering mentorship and professional development within Early Childhood centres in New Zealand and abroad. The privilege of in home visits with parents have helped her further embrace the Approach as more than a philosophy but a way of life. |
Helen Lye
Helen joined us on the Board in 2016 as Marketing Coordinator. Magda Gerber and Emmi Pikler have been influencing Helen’s life since her studies in 2007. Since then, she has attended the Summer Course at the Pikler Institute in Budapest in 2009. She then completed the RIE® Foundations: Theory and Observation™ Course in 2016. Helen is passionate about creating strong, authentic relationships with children, families and teams. She is currently focussing on supporting teams with their learning journeys.
Helen joined us on the Board in 2016 as Marketing Coordinator. Magda Gerber and Emmi Pikler have been influencing Helen’s life since her studies in 2007. Since then, she has attended the Summer Course at the Pikler Institute in Budapest in 2009. She then completed the RIE® Foundations: Theory and Observation™ Course in 2016. Helen is passionate about creating strong, authentic relationships with children, families and teams. She is currently focussing on supporting teams with their learning journeys.
