Junior Team Staff.
AMBER BEECH – Totara —Year 2 - Team Leader abeech@mapua.school.nz
Kia ora koutou. My name is Amber Beech and I grew up in Mārahau, where I attended Riwaka Primary School and Motueka High School. After spending about 10 years away from the area studying, traveling overseas, and living in various cities in New Zealand I decided it was time to come home, and I’m currently living in Riwaka with my husband. I have three stepchildren – one has already left home and the other two are almost finished at high school.
In my spare time I enjoy gardening, going to the beach or the river, doing jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with my nieces. I also love tramping, and try to head for the hills for a few days at least once or twice a year.
I started teaching at Mapua School halfway through 2018. I was impressed by the sense of identity and pride that Mapua kids have, as well as their positive attitude and eagerness to learn. I feel privileged to be teaching at such a wonderful school amongst cool colleagues and kind kids.
THERESA SHEPHERD – Toetoe— Year 1 — theresab@mapua.school.nz
I have been teaching at Mapua School since 2008.
I am Auckland bred (please don’t hold that against me), trained as a teacher at Roehampton in England. I lived and worked in England for 17 years before coming home. I did try and settle back in Auckland in 2007 but just wasn’t feeling the vibe so packed up my car with my few belongings and found myself here in Nelson. I really enjoy the area and everything that it has to offer and know that I am very lucky to be living in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
I have a daughter who is at Mapua School and love seeing her during the day where I get the odd cuddle as well as seeing her confidence blossom. I also have a wee son who attends one of the local daycares. He is a lot of fun and regularly gets us up dancing with him. I have a puppy who keeps the kids entertained and gives me something else to pick up after.
I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends and find my kids bedtime a challenge.
Mapua School is one of coolest places that I have worked in. Staff, students and parents make this a great place to work and live.
BRIDGET DRYDEN AND FIONA BIBBY-SMITH - Harakeke - Year 0/1
Kia ora koutou. Ko Bridget tōku ingoa. No Waihōpai ahau. I nāienai e noho ana ahau ki Kina i Te Tauihu o te Waka-a-Maui.
I have been teaching at Māpua School for about eight years and the last 4 of those have been team teaching with Fiona BibbySmith. We have lots of fun teaching as a team and learn a lot from each other. She also laughs at my jokes (most of the time) because usually they are hilarious.
I am a teacher because I love being with children and enjoy the energy that surrounds them. My favourite things to teach are reading, writing and Learning Through Play (but mainly I love that when I squirt unsuspecting kids with the fire hose!).
When I am not teaching I enjoy hanging out with my whanau, taking our dog to the beach, going in the boat and sewing. I go to silversmithing classes once a week and enjoy the challenge of making jewellery for others to wear.
My favourite things in the world are my whanau, travelling, whales, cherries and orangutans.