Our Team
The Kaiako that make our Centre great.
Zoe Russell
Owner/Director
Bright Beginnings is a family-owned preschool with children at the heart of every decision. My passion for teaching children started with dance teaching. I have since worked as a nanny in London, volunteered in orphanages in Africa, and taught in a variety of different preschools in New Zealand and Australia before purchasing Bright Beginnings with my family. I love travelling, reading, going for walks, and spending time with my husband, daughter, family, and friends.
Bachelor Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Diploma of Montessori
Full NZ teachers Certification
Pukeko Room - Nursery
Dolores Caballero
TEACHER - PUKEKO ROOM
Kia ora, my name is Dolores. I am from Argentina. I arrived in New Zealand in 2019 with my husband. In 2021, our little boy Isidro was born. I am an Educational Psychologist. Before coming, I used to work in a Neurology Institute, doing neuropsychological assessments and rehabilitation to children with learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders. I have worked in Bright Beginnings since I came to NZ in 2019. I really enjoy being part of children’s growth and learning, and my motivation is to contribute my grain of sand in these future adults’ hearts, by providing them a loving, caring, welcoming and inviting environment. I love spending time with my family and friends. We like going camping, swimming and for picnics.
Educational Phycologist
Aimee Taylor
TEACHER PUKEKO ROOM
My name is Aimee, i am 22 years old and have a 3 year old Fur baby called Willow! I have grown up playing Football from the age of 3 and for the last 5 years I have coached it instead of playing! I compete in Dog Agility with Willow and am loving it so much! I also have a Diploma in Professional Photography and have my own Photography page called Poppy Willow Photography. I love capturing memories for people that will last forever and am always keen to try photographing new things! I currently specialise in Pet/dog photography, Family photo shoots and Holi Powder Photography
Melissa Groenewegen
TEACHER - PUKEKO ROOM
Hi, my name is Melissa. I moved to Rolleston from Wellington with my partner and our 5 year old daughter in 2016. I enjoy working with children and have previously been a reliever before joining the Bright Beginnings teaching team in the nursery. In my spare time I enjoy reading, swimming and spending time with family.
Experienced teacher
Kimberly Waterson
TEACHER PUKEKO ROOM
Kia ora, my name is Kim, I am pleased to be one of your Child’s Kaiako in the Butterfly room at Bright Beginnings Montessori . I am currently working towards my Bachelor of teaching (ECE). I have worked at another Montessori preschool for 4 years in Christchurch but have recently moved to the Rolleston area. I have a nearly 6 year old Son called Cayden who is at school. I am passionate about helping tamariki to be the best versions of themselves. I also share a passion for music and dancing, believing it is important to be part of the children’s everyday life. I look forward to getting to know you and your children more. Feel free to come and introduce yourself to me and say hello.
Completing Bachelor In Teaching
Melissa Wu
TEACHER PUKEKO ROOM
Kia Ora, my name is Melissa. Originally I come from Beijing the capital of China, and have been living in New Zealand since 2002. I graduated with a diploma in ECE and have been teaching in three different centres over the last 12 years. I hold a Full NZ teachers certification. I believe strongly in creating an environment where children and their whānau are respected and valued. Travelling is one of my interests, I also enjoy reading and spending time with friends and family. I love the joy of working with young children and I am looking forward to getting to know you and your family.
Diploma Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Full NZ teachers Certification
Butterfly Room - Preschool
Kathryn Chaney
HEAD TEACHER - BUTTERFLY ROOM
Kia ora whānau and tamariki, my name is Kate. I live here in Rolleston with my Husband, Will and our two children, Victoria and Arthur. We spend our weekends in the garden trying to cram in more fruit trees or out on adventures on the many playgrounds around. I am passionate about creating a love of learning and tamariki learning to face challenges with a smile. I hold a Bachelors of Teaching and Learning in ECE, a Diploma in Montessori Education and a Full NZ Teachers certification.
Bachelor Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Masters in Educational Leadership
Diploma of Montessori
Fully Certified Teacher
Tankya Grieve
HEAD TEACHER - BUTTERFLY ROOM
Hi, I'm Tanyka! I am orignally from Wales but moved to NZ when I was 14 so I have been here a fair few years now (however if my accent can sound a bit funny at times -this is why!) I have recently returned to Rolleston after living in Timaru for the past 4 years with my husband Luke and our border collie Alfie. I have been teaching for over 6 years now and I am a fully registered teacher. I hold a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Performing Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education with full NZ teacher certification. Areas of interests of mine are ensuring the environment is set up in an engaging way that ignites the children’s play in a fun and exciting way. I also have a passion around nurturing our emotional wellbeing and talking to the children about the way they are feeling, supporting them through their emotions and reading stories around this ensuring we are building up their emotional literacy. I look forward to getting to know you and your family more and finding out all the fun things you enjoy doing too!
Bachelor of teaching
Fully certified teacher
Diana (Xiaowen) Hu
TEACHER - BUTTERFLY ROOM
Kia ora, my name is Diana and I am a teacher in the Butterfly room. I have previously worked as a preschool teacher for 3 years in China and then have been continuing my passion for this career in New Zealand since 2019. I am provisionally certificated with Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE). I am keen on providing children with different types of indoor and outdoor learning experiences which can facilitate their holistic development. I love baking, jogging and hiking with my husband and friends in my leisure time. I look forward to getting to know all tamariki and whanau. Ngā mihi nui.
Graduate Diploma in teaching (ECE)
Provisionally Registered
Fantail Room - Preschool
Kylie Burgess
Head teacher - Fantail Room
Hi I'm Kylie, I have had the privilege of educating children for over 30 years now, both within the classroom and the management team. I am a fully qualified and registered Early Childhood Teacher and a Montessori Teacher. You will often hear me say that children are wearing a backpack for life, and my job is to keep filling it up. Values based learning is also important to me, as I feel these attributes are important to learn at a young age. Patience, resilience, and grace and curtesy, just to name a few. I Love to communicate with all families, to check in on the Children's progress and to plan for their future. Come and find me for a chat about your children and we can plan together.
Diploma Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Diploma of Montessori
Fully Certified Teacher
Maria Pia Caballero Sonzini
Teacher - Fantail Room
My name is Pia and I am from Argentina. I have recently arrived in New Zealand with my husband and my two daughters, Julia and Jacinta. We are all so excited to be in such an amazing country! I have a degree in English language teaching, and I have worked in a preschool for 15 years. I have a passion for helping children reach their full potential and develop their skills, by providing them with opportunities, experiences, and meaningful learning situations. My favourite teaching resources are singing, acting and playing. Also, I have a certificate in Positive Discipline. I strongly believe that children do better when they feel better, and that mutual respect, firmness and kindness at the same time are the basis for their learning and development. In my free time, I love spending time with my family and friends. I can’t wait to meet you all!
Bachelor in English, Language teaching (ECE, primary and University)
Serena Costello
Teacher - Fantail Room
Kia ora my name is Serena. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning in Primary and a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood and I’m a fully certificated teacher. Developing children’s music and movement is a passion of mine. I love to set up new obstacle courses to further extend tamariki. I have recently returned to teaching after being on maternity leave. In my spare time I like to go for walks with my partner and son Joshua. I look forward to meeting the tamariki and whānau. Ngā mihi nui
Bachelor Teaching and Learning Primary
Graduate Diploma Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Fully Certified Teacher
Aysha Shahid
Teacher - Fantail Room
My name is Aysha Shahid, I moved from Taranaki (New Plymouth) in October 2021. Since 2020, I am working as a teacher with Randstad New Zealand, currently I am living in Rolleston with my husband and three Children. I hold Bachelor of Commerce degree (BCOM Hon’s MSIT) at Level-7. I am very friendly, straightforward, exceptionally focused, and a hardworking professional. Teaching is my passion and I love working with children, involving myself to know their activities and interest towards learning. My philosophy is to strive to model respect, patience and care for children and adults I come inContact with.
Experienced Teacher
Rachael Jones
Teacher - Fantail Room
Hi I'm Rach, I have been teaching for over 20 years and I love seeing children blossom to their true potential. I live in Rolleston with my husband and two children. In my spare time I love to catch up with my family, friends and pets, potter in the garden, do crafty stuff, bake and read. I hold a Diploma of Teaching and I hold a full NZ teachers certification.
Diploma Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Fully Certified teacher
Butterfly Room - Preschool
Kathryn Chaney
HEAD TEACHER - BUTTERFLY ROOM
Kia ora whānau and tamariki, my name is Kate. I live here in Rolleston with my Husband, Will and our two children, Victoria and Arthur. We spend our weekends in the garden trying to cram in more fruit trees or out on adventures on the many playgrounds around. I am passionate about creating a love of learning and tamariki learning to face challenges with a smile. I hold a Bachelors of Teaching and Learning in ECE, a Diploma in Montessori Education and a Full NZ Teachers certification.
Bachelor Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Masters in Educational Leadership
Diploma of Montessori
Fully Certified Teacher
Tankya Grieve
HEAD TEACHER - BUTTERFLY ROOM
Hi, I'm Tanyka! I am orignally from Wales but moved to NZ when I was 14 so I have been here a fair few years now (however if my accent can sound a bit funny at times -this is why!) I have recently returned to Rolleston after living in Timaru for the past 4 years with my husband Luke and our border collie Alfie. I have been teaching for over 6 years now and I am a fully registered teacher. I hold a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Performing Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education with full NZ teacher certification. Areas of interests of mine are ensuring the environment is set up in an engaging way that ignites the children’s play in a fun and exciting way. I also have a passion around nurturing our emotional wellbeing and talking to the children about the way they are feeling, supporting them through their emotions and reading stories around this ensuring we are building up their emotional literacy. I look forward to getting to know you and your family more and finding out all the fun things you enjoy doing too!
Bachelor of teaching
Fully certified teacher
Diana (Xiaowen) Hu
TEACHER - BUTTERFLY ROOM
Kia ora, my name is Diana and I am a teacher in the Butterfly room as well as supporting the Pukeko room some days. I have previously worked as a preschool teacher for 3 years in China and then have been continuing my passion for this career in New Zealand since 2019. I am provisionally certificated with Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE). I am keen on providing children with different types of indoor and outdoor learning experiences which can facilitate their holistic development. I love baking, jogging and hiking with my husband and friends in my leisure time. I look forward to getting to know all tamariki and whanau. Ngā mihi nui.
Graduate Diploma in teaching (ECE)
Provisionally Registered
Our Relievers
Anna Du Pisani
Regular Reliever
Kia Ora, my name is Anna-Patricia but you can just call me Anna. I'm from South Africa and I have a Bachelor's Degree in Pre-School and Foundation Phase and my NZ ProvisionalTeacher Certification. I love working with children, reading books, doing messy play and some creative activities. I like to relax on weekends and do fun things with my husband and two wonderful children. I am so excited to get to know everyone!
Bachelor Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Full NZ teachers Certification
Anna Bethell
regular reliever
Kia ora all, my name is Anna and I am a fully qualified and registered teacher with 17 years experience working in a variety of Early Childhood based roles and settings both here and overseas. We live here in Rolleston and have a 3 year old son Wilbur. As a family we enjoy jet boating and spending time on the family farms. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Bright Beginnings team as one of their permanent relief teachers, mainly based in the nursery. It will be a privilege to be involved in the children’s learning journeys and experiences here where I believe warm, unhurried and nurturing relationships are key to ensuring that all children are provided with opportunities to reach their full potential. Please feel free to approach me at any stage.
Bachelor Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Full NZ teachers Certification
Our Relievers
Anna Du Pisani
Regular Reliever
Kia Ora, my name is Anna-Patricia but you can just call me Anna. I'm from South Africa and I have a Bachelor's Degree in Pre-School and Foundation Phase and my NZ ProvisionalTeacher Certification. I love working with children, reading books, doing messy play and some creative activities. I like to relax on weekends and do fun things with my husband and two wonderful children. I am so excited to get to know everyone!
Bachelor Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Diploma of Montessori
Full NZ teachers Certification
Anna Bethell
Reliever
Kia ora all, my name is Anna and I am a fully qualified and registered teacher with 17 years experience working in a variety of Early Childhood based roles and settings both here and overseas. We live here in Rolleston and have a 3 year old son Wilbur. As a family we enjoy jet boating and spending time on the family farms. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Bright Beginnings team as one of their permanent relief teachers, mainly based in the nursery. It will be a privilege to be involved in the children’s learning journeys and experiences here where I believe warm, unhurried and nurturing relationships are key to ensuring that all children are provided with opportunities to reach their full potential. Please feel free to approach me at any stage.
Bachelor Teaching and Learning (ECE)
Diploma of Montessori
Full NZ teachers Certification