Gaia College of teachers
The following is a brief resume for each of the teachers and staff at the school.
Kelly Collier is the Playgroup teacher. She joined Gaia in July 2008. Before that she was a stay-at-home mom for 7 years during which she worked; producing and selling vegetarian food products. Kelly has completed a Level 5 in Early Childhood Development and is in the process of completing her final year for a Diploma in Early Childhood Development at the Centre for Creative Education. She is a mother of four children all of which attend Gaia; two in Kindergarten, Class 3 and 4.
Rowena Bell is the Kindergarten teacher. She received her Diploma in Education in Early Childhood Development in 1998. Rowena was previously involved as a Kindergarten teacher at Stellenbosch School for seven years. Rowena was a founder parent of the Waldorf McGregor School. Before joining Gaia, Rowena worked at the Centre for Creative Education for five years. Her duties included teacher training, assistant Head of Department of Early Childhood and government liason person. Rowena has three children of her own.
Zoliswa Stimela is the Kindergarten teacher. She joined Gaia in July 2008, as an Aftercare teacher. Previously Zoliswa worked at Thandabantu Pre- school for 7 years. She enrolled at the Centre for Creative Education and completed her Level 5 E.C.D. training in 2007. She has a daughter in Kindergarten.
Kristal Willemse is the current Class 1 teacher. She joined Gaia in January 2011 after completing a Bachelor of Education at Hogeschool Helicon in 2010 in the Netherlands before relocating to South Africa. Prior to completing her Waldorf degree, Kristal studied music teaching at the Dutch conservatory.
Ruby Klazen is the Class 2 teacher. She began studying for her Bachelor of Education at the Centre for Creative Education in 2006 and will graduate this year. Ruby has also led numerous workshops as a volunteer for Living Hope, a community based organization, caring for those infected and living with HIV and AIDS as well as working with numerous children during school holiday clubs, as a facilitator and instructor.
Mary- Ann Fynn is the Class 3 teacher. Previously she worked at First National Bank for 15 years. Mary - Ann raised her two children and took on voluntary work for numerous organizations. In 2009 she completed her Bachelor of Education at the Centre for Creative Education.
Janine Rios is the Class 4 teacher. She completed her Bachelor of Education in 2008. Previously Janine was employed as a teacher, home schooling two children whilst travelling extensively to Morocco, Egypt, Greece, Colombia, Portugal, England, Australia and New Zealand. Janine is one of three Teacher Trustees and is actively involved in the Governance of the School.
Melanie Bradshaw is the Class 5 Teacher. She has completed her fifth year of part- time studies towards a Bachelor of Education at the Centre for Creative Education. Melanie joined Gaia in January 2007 having spent 3 years at home looking after her children. She worked as a graphic designer 13 years. Melanie has a son in Class 3 and a daughter in Class 1.
Vienie McShane is the current Class 6 Teacher. She received her Diploma in Waldorf Education in 2004. Prior to joining Gaia in 2006, Vienie spent two and a half years as a full-time facilitator for a pupil with special needs at the Herzlia Middle School in Cape Town, where she also taught Kids Clay. Vienie is also a qualified jewellery designer and manufacturer. Vienie is one of three Teacher Trustees, actively involved in the Governance of the School and acting chair for the College of Teachers for this year.
Iman Erskineis the Class 7 Teacher. Prior to joining the Gaia School in 2000, Iman was a qualified State School Teacher for 10 years. She received her Diploma in Education in 1987 and received her Diploma in Waldorf Education in 2005. She has completed one teaching cycle from Class 1 to Class 6, before starting a new cycle at Class 1 in 2005. She is one of three Teacher Trustees and is actively involved in the Governance of the School. Iman’s daughter completed her schooling at Gaia in 2006 and is currently in Class 12 at Constantia Waldorf School.
