Gabrielle Bass | Supervisor
Meet Gabrielle (aka Gabby) our Ruma Kura Iti supervisor! Gabby has always had a love for young children and it was becoming a mum and being inspired by her eldest child’s incredible growth and development in his first year that encouraged her to study further. Her ECE journey began in 2010 with her enrolling with Wintec and working part time in a Reggio inspired early childhood centre. Graduating with a Bachelor of Teaching in 2014 she has worked in various centres with infants and toddlers, completed her teacher registration and gained invaluable experience all while raising her own 3 children Jake, Braxton and Quinn. Gabby is passionate about biculturalism, providing quality care for under twos, and facilitating inviting and challenging experiences for tamariki that can extend their learning – empowering them to see themselves as the confident and capable beings they are. Wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging for tamariki and their whanau are essential to their learning success and Gabby ensures this through building open honest caring relationships with you and your pepi.
Heritage – South African
Marcella Ghirelli-Joslin | Teacher
Marcella has been a part of the Little Sparrows family since 2018 after joining us from the sunny Hawkes Bay. Marcella has had over 26 years experience in ECE in the Kindergarten/ Pre-School sector. Marcella is passionate about providing and using the environment to spark imagination and create meaningful and educational experiences.
Heritage – Latin American
Nicole Donald | Teacher
Meet Nicole (aka Nic) – our very knowledgeable and experienced toddler teacher who loves to play, sing and get messy! Nic enjoys being physically active and shares this passion with our tamariki by creating new and different physical challenges, dancing and playing games. She also provides a warm, kind and caring teaching approach that the tamariki adore her for. She began her ECE journey in 2009 and graduated with her bachelor of teaching ECE in 2012. As well as experience in centres Nic is also mum to her beautiful daughter Mila – who is constantly challenging her and building on her experience! Nicole is our transition to Tuakana Kaiako and she is passionate about our youngest tamariki having successful, supportive child initiated transitions within little Sparrows.
Lisa Kowalewski | Teacher
Lisa was born and raised in Taranaki on a dairy farm with her parents and three brothers, and moved to the Waikato in 2018 with her partner. Lisa is of Polish, Swiss, Scottish and English heritage and is also a proud kiwi! In her spare time Lisa loves to go walking, hiking, bake and garden.
Lisa completed her Diploma of Teaching in 2000 and has since found a strong passion for teaching preschoolers. Lisa enjoys creating environments where tamariki can explore, learn and grow into confident, capable and competent learners. She looks forward to getting to know you and your whanau, and we are so pleased to have her as part of our Pre-School team!