Helen has extensive experience in the early childhood sector, having taught for 12 years in kindergarten and childcare both in New Zealand and the UK. She joined CORE Education in 2006 and has spent the last three years mentoring teachers in the ECE ICT Professional Learning Programme.  

A self-confessed people person, Helen supports and motivates teachers to achieve their potential.

Her expertise in Early Childhood Education includes:

Jocelyn has a passion and commitment toward making a difference in the lives of teachers, children and families/whānau involved in early years education. She joined the CORE team in 2010 to manage a national team of facilitators, and deliver the Ministry of Education’s funded professional development contracts for the early childhood education sector.

Justine has been involved in early childhood professional development for five and a half years. During that time she has had the privilege of working with teachers and parents in a variety of early childhood settings including Playcentres, kindergartens, homebased care services and education and care settings. She has been involved in early childhood for 24 years; 18 years teaching in early childhood settings.

Justine's passion for supporting and inspiring teachers/educators as they in turn support children and families is the motivation for her job.

Keryn is an early years professional development facilitator at CORE Education, based in Christchurch. Her interests include collaborative practitioner research and change, teaching and learning in the early years and assessment.

Ruta has been involved in early childhood professional development working for 5 years at the University of Canterbury on contracts with the Ministry of Education. This involved working with teachers and senior team leaders in varied settings facilitating and challenging teachers' pedagogical thinking and beliefs, enabling them to make transformative change in their practice. Ruta has also played a vital role in the Pasifika reference group at the Ministry of Education sharing discourse and dialogue which requires siginificant change to pasifika students' achievements.

Sharon has taught in various kindergartens in the Waikato as a teacher and head teacher. She joined CORE Education in 2006 to facilitate the Early Childhood Education ICT Professional Learning Programme for the Central North Island Cluster.  This role provided Sharon with the opportunity to challenge and support teachers to extend their skills and knowledge in ICT and pedagogy whilst also stretching her as she continues her own learning journey.

Tara first became involved in education through attending Playcentre with her children. This experience led to Tara taking further study in education. Tara's postgraduate research investigated the nature of children's social interactions in a mixed-age setting. Tara has a variety of educational interests including: the rights of children, children's interactions, ICT and 21st century pedagogy. She is currently working for CORE in the most perfect role for her, as it allows her to combine her love of ICT and education.

Tania is a registered early childhood teacher with extensive experience in the sector having taught in both Kindergartens and Early Childhood Centres for over 20 years in Northland. Tania’s most recent teaching position was as Head Teacher at Manaia Kindergarten. Tania is well known nationally for her practice in integrating ICT for teaching and learning and for engaging whanau and the wider community.