Tiny Nation Educator - Hutt Valley - Katrina

About Me

I’m Katrina, an experienced educator with a background shaped by life in the United States, Hong Kong, and across Asia, North and Central America. After years of travel and teaching overseas, I now live in Stokes Valley with my partner David and our much loved dog, Stephen.

I have taught in Honduras, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, and hold a postgraduate qualification in early years teaching. I also have experience supporting children with diverse learning needs. My work as a certified labour and postpartum doula has deepened my understanding of family life and the importance of nurturing relationships during a child’s earliest years.

My Philosophy

I believe in balancing structured learning with joyful, spontaneous exploration. I am inspired by the magic of everyday moments, whether it is a child trying something for the first time or gaining confidence in their own ideas.

Nature and daily life offer endless learning opportunities. I enjoy using simple routines like baking, gardening, and caring for animals to help tamariki build life skills, confidence, and a sense of responsibility. Above all, I aim to create a warm and respectful environment where children feel supported to grow at their own pace.

My Environment

Our cosy cottage in Stokes Valley is a warm, welcoming space with plenty of opportunities for learning through play. Outdoors, children can enjoy nature play, messy activities, and time in our growing veggie gardens.

Indoors, I offer open ended activities including stories, craft, science experiments, and early language learning. I have a rich collection of resources from my years in teaching and will regularly visit the local toy library to keep things fresh and exciting.

We also enjoy local outings to parks, playgroups, the library, and nearby nature spots like the monastery, helping tamariki connect with the wider world in calm and engaging ways.

"Clicked with our family values"

Thank you for Millie’s care - she has gone from strength to strength under Katrina’s guidance! We’re so grateful we found someone who clicked with our family values and is a true educator, not just a ‘caregiver’. Katrina’s dedication to Millie’s learning and growth has not gone unnoticed. Millie has loved her adventures, painting and crafting with Katrina. There is never a dull day, and Millie loves to tell me about it in the car on the way home. Our whānau will miss Katrina immensely!