Being the eldest daughter of six children I think I was a nurturer from the beginning! Thames was my hometown, where beaches, rivers, bush and even old gold mines were my playground! It is here where my love of caring for others, especially younger children started, and my parents were hugely influential in this. My husband Tim is my Uni sweetheart and we came to Auckland together in 1990. Our parenting journey began in 2000 when we were blessed with Mia and then 8 years later, Miles, a fortieth birthday surprise! Te Atatu has been our Auckland home but our hearts also lie in the Far North with our summers spent there since I was eleven.
I have had a varied career in education including music in secondary, intermediate and primary schools and also time as Ed Coordinator for the APO Orchestra. I feel my people and management skills really flourished over this time and I am very proud of my work with the many students and colleagues I worked alongside.
In 2011 with this kete of experience and a two year old son, I somewhat blindly entered into business partnership with my amazing early childhood trained Mother! Oma Rāpeti Early Learning Centre was “born” and over seven very intense and dedicated years, the dream to create a truly respectful, nurturing place for whānau and kaiako was realised. From the start we decided Oma Rāpeti would be more than just a centre, it would be a community hub of learning and sharing, something I believe all centres should be at some level. I completed a Grad Dip in Early Childhood and I also completed life-changing training with Pennie Brownlee, Dance with me in the Heart, where the child care and development approaches of Dr Emmi Pikler and Magda Gerber (RIE) are taught and felt!
As part of the vision to grow and support the wider community, my facilitator partner and I trained in adult educating with Pennie Brownlee and started from 2015 offering mindful and respectful parenting classes and professional support. It was and still is an amazing heart journey and a privilege, learning and growing alongside incredible people. We learnt that people need a sanctuary, where there is no judgement. Education happens through trust. When we are real and share our stories, people can trust, be real and tell theirs. I have found it is connection and compassion that empowers people to “see with new eyes”, learn, make change and grow confidence and contentment, even joy in their roles. We know the wellbeing of the child is inseparable from the carer's wellbeing. We decided to set up a charitable trust to continue growing the culture of kindness amongst families and educational professionals in Aotearoa. Nurture People was created.
“Poipoia te kakano Kia Puawai” (Nurture the seed and it will blossom).
My recent work has included promoting play based learning in the primary field, mentoring ECE tertiary students on practicums, mentoring teams in ECE and relieving, especially back at my Oma Rāpeti “home”. I believe I am a people’s person and a change-maker. I have a genuine heart and bring kindness, positivity, a sense of calm, empathy, care, respect and humour. I am encouraging, seeing the best in people and I work with their uniqueness, strengths and gifts. I am a sensitive, attuned person who thinks deeply with strong philosophy, but I am also a person of action, someone who is able to “roll up her sleeves alongside and get stuck in”!
“People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but will never forget how you made them feel” – Maya Angelou
Tineke’s contact email - Tineke@educatingheartsandminds.com
Ehara taku toa,i te toa takitahi,engari he toa takitini.
My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success, but success of a collective. Cooperation of many can bring best results.