IN person for teachers

I have a gift for walking beside people and creating safe spaces where teachers can feel vulnerable about examining their teaching for what children really need.

I can work with teachers, leader and owners HEAR WHY

Working with and alongside Donna has been a real journey of reflection, joy and passion.

Donna has made me reflect on who I am as a mother, woman and a teacher.

I have learnt to look deeper into what I am doing for and with the children to ensure I am offering my best for these young souls.

Donna has supported me to find my “why” too so much of what I do with the children, as a mother and an ECE teacher.  She has made me see beautiful relationships with all aged children and that if you, listen you can hear what they need and want from you. The bonding of relationships is crucial, and children need to be heard.  We need to be advocates for our children without smothering them.

Donna has taught me that there is so much significance and meaning to what we do with our children.  We need to support them to prepare for the world ahead.

Donna is wise beyond her words and her knowledge is deep and true.  She holds true desire for all that she does and if you are lucky enough to be a part of her journey of knowledge you are blessed.

I truly have grown through Donnas words and wisdom!

Donna has an amazing mixture of heart and knowledge which has resulted in deep meaningful learning experiences for kaiako. If you are wanting to unpack your practice and continue to go deeper I would highly recommend joining this journey. This is an amazing opportunity to unpack your why and have guidance from a truely inspirational educator and human🌈💕

 Donna has a beautiful way of walking aside you to provoke thought, reflection, construct shared understanding and  leave you feeling inspired and with a cup that overflows ✨

I met Donna earlier this year when I joined her Circle of Security course.  I had already heard much about Donna and the courses she ran which changed parent's way of parenting and also teacher's ways of teaching for the better.   Her course supports parents, caregivers and teachers how to understand oneself,  children and their relationships with clearer eyes, leading to more harmonious experiences for all.

After many colleagues had highly recommended her Circle of Security course, I dived in and haven't looked back as I am now journeying with her as she test runs facilitating her new course which will incorporate her knowledge of Circle of Security, the Pikler method and Stuart Shankers Self Reg.

Donna's knowledge of these topics is tremendous.  As she facilitates the courses, she not only delivers the information clearly, but also helps participants to understand themselves better, therefore intwining an ability to personalise her course for each person within the group setting which I find to be a unique skill.

I came away from the Circle of Security course with many 'aha' moments as I related and reflected upon the information transferred and continue to have 'aha' moments within my workplace as an ECE teacher 8 months later, making me, I believe, a better teacher and stronger advocate for young children.

When Donna announced she would be looking for volunteers to participate in the trial run of her latest course, which incorporates all her learnings, I jumped at the opportunity knowing that Donna's knowledge is vital for creating positive change in the care of young children.   The knowledge which Donna is imparting is very clear to understand, very relate-able and again, her skill to personalise the training to each participant within the group setting is remarkable.  I am already using the knowledge I have gained in both my personal and professional life.  But perhaps the most important gift I have received from Donna's courses is that I am becoming a more vocal advocate for the care of children as I now have the training and literature to back up what I have always felt was what quality teaching should look like.

My hope is to have as many teachers as possible complete Donnas courses as the information is so important for our most vulnerable citizens who deserve the people caring for them to be knowledgeable of best practices within our early childhood centres.

I have been so fortunate and grateful to have been working with Donna over the past year. My connection with Donna started through other kaiako she had mentored and taught alongside and the way these kaiako spoke about Donna, it was clear she was an amazing mentor and inspirational leader to them in their journey working alongside children, families, and kaiako in ECE. Before even meeting Donna, her mentorship with others had an impact on me as a kaiako. I knew Donna was an inspirational leader within ECE, so I eagerly reached out to join one of the courses she facilitates.

 Since then she has been a huge support to me as a teacher and parent, an inspiration to me as an advocate, and a mentor who has developed my ability as a teacher driving toward positions of leadership and advocacy in ECE.

I have done quite a few courses with Donna now. Donna delivered all these courses in a unique way, in a way that made me feel supported, compassionate, and heard. These courses never felt like professional development, they felt very authentic, and honest, and the reflection and learning that take place are so deep. It feels like I am unlocking parts of me that help me be a more compassionate and responsive teacher to children and family’s needs in today’s societies and communities. The learning I have endeavoured has been so impactful and pivotal that it has led me onto paths I never thought I would journey through. And the learning that comes after the learning for me has been supported through Donna’s ongoing mentorship. 

Donna’s leadership and mentorship have been invaluable to me and have allowed me to better support children and families who are really struggling with a range of challenges. I have journeyed and experienced amazing things under Donna’s mentorship, she has provided me with the knowledge and tools to advocate for better education and care practices that support children in their well-being alongside the adults who care for them. 

Donna has the most beautiful vision for children and families, kaiako, and for what is missing from Aotearoa’s early childhood education space. A vision where those who care for children are supported and given the stepping stones towards understanding from the heart of children’s emotional development, alongside adults who are undergoing their own emotional development, all in compassion and self-reg. I don’t think I can explain Donna’s vision in the written word very well, but it is something I feel deeply and am 100% behind. I hope Donna can impact so many more lives of teachers and parents for children in the way she has done for me. Her work is incredibly powerful!

 Donna has a way of BEing that supports you to look deep into your practice as an educator, helping you to develop your own “why” and see the beauty in all tamariki. I feel so lucky to have been trained by Donna; she is the reason I have stayed in ECE and has helped me to form many beautiful connections and respectful relationships with not only tamariki and whanau but also with myself. I highly recommend this course to all teachers in ECE or thinking of going into an ECE service. You won’t regret it!