Our People

Tracie Phua:  Head Of School

tracie@titokimontessori.school.nz

 

Tracie was blessed with a second career in early childhood education at TMS since April 2003 after a rewarding one in information technology in Singapore. She finds it both humbling and a privilege to work with children in their formative years, sharing their journey towards becoming confident and competent life long learners. Tracie discovered the Montessori Method while looking for the right preschool for her own children in Singapore. She holds a B. Ed (ECE) from AUT University and a Montessori Diploma (2.5 - 6 years) from St Nicholas Montessori Training Centre (London).
Her studies into the theories and practice of early childhood education reaffirmed her belief that the Montessori Method is unsurpassed in supporting the holistic learning of young children. As Head of School, Tracie's vision is to continue making TMS a special community where adults "follow the child" to help them reach their fullest potential. 
Tracie enjoys reading, travelling, watching the occasional musical and trying out the various cuisines available in Auckland. She makes up for any over-indulgence in the latter by taking walks along the many beaches of the East Coast Bays, swimming, and working out at the gym when time permits. 

 

 

Edward Stanford: Casa Teacher

ed@titokimontessori.school.nz

 

Ed Stanford is originally from Iowa, in the USA. He has always enjoyed children and has worked with every age from 2 to 18 in a diverse range of settings including day camps, summer camps, traditional preschools, Montessori schools, Monti-something schools, Waldorf schools, private international schools, and state schools.  Ed says "The Montessori method is, quite simply, the most advanced pedagogy I have encountered in my search and I feel like Sir Edmund Hillary ascending Mount Everest. The Montessori method is the pinnacle of instructional methods, why would anyone want to teach any other way?" Ed holds a Primary diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale (2005) and a Masters of Education (M.Ed) in Montessori from Loyola College (2005).

When not working at Titoki, Ed enjoys scuba diving, traveling, or even washing dishes as long as he is spending time with his amazing wife, Emily.

 

 

Aithne Potts: Casa Teacher

aithne@titokimontessori.school.nz

 

Aithne Potts was born in England, raised in southern Ireland and came to New Zealand in 1987. Aithne discovered Montessori at high school and trained with the London Montessori Centre while running her own Montessori preschool in her village in Ireland. Apart from being a stay-home mother between 1996 and 2001, Aithne has been working in early childhood since leaving school in 1984. As a part time ECE teacher , she also trained as a dyslexia tutor. She returned to full time teaching in 2008 and during the summer of 2010-2011, worked for Spectrum Care Trust, caring for people with disabilities in residential care. Having worked in both Montessori and mainstream ECE centres, Aithne is convinced that the Montessori philosophy of education provides the best learning environment where children can be themselves and reach their potential in every aspect of their development. She is passionate about teaching in this environment.

When not at preschool, Aithne enjoys time at home with her children and pets, gardening, windsurfing, kayaking, swimming, cycling, walks at the beach/bush and time with friends and family.

 

 

Bee-Wah Wong: Casa Teacher

beewah@titokimontessori.school.nz

 

Bee-Wah and her family immigrated to New Zealand in early 2002. She began her teaching career in 1987 as a primary school teacher in Singapore. After working at Takapuna Primary School for two and half years, she decided to pursue a degree in early childhood education. Towards the end of her second year at Auckland University of Technology, she opted for the Montessori Specialty in her final year. Bee-Wah has been a total 'Montessori convert' since then. She firmly believes in this quote from Dr Maria Montessori, that “the test of the correctness of educational procedures is the happiness of the child".

In her spare time Bee Wah enjoys reading, travelling, cooking; and has recently picked up gardening.

 

 

Chensa Clarkson:  Teacher / Tots Guide

chensa@titokimontessori.school.nz

 

Chensa Clarkson has always enjoyed working with children. She holds a 3-6 Diploma from Mercy Montessori Africa (affiliate Mercy Montessori Centre Cincinnati, Ohio) and a Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) from Auckland University of Technology. Chensa has been affiliated with Titoki Montessori since 1999 as a teacher, a parent and a committee member. She has been the Titoki Tots guide since its inception in 2009, and also works in the TMS Casa environment. She is passionate about families and encouraging parents in their most important and valuable role in life.

"Montessori has enriched my life. It is about respect for ourselves, one another and our world, it nurtures a love for learning, exploring and discovery at the individuals’ pace and is not only a philosophy for education but also for life".

When away from school, Chensa enjoys spending time with family and friends, travel, the arts, reading, cooking, bike-riding, kayaking, hiking, and many more outdoor activities.

 

 

Marion Thomas:  School Administrator

marion@titokimontessori.school.nz

Marion loves the "community feel" of Titoki Montessori. She enjoys interacting with the children and their families as she handles the finance and administration of the school.

After work, Marion spends time reading, taking walks along Long Bay Beach and practising yoga. She also enjoys quality time with her lovely grandchildren whenever they visit!