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New Plymouth, Taranki, New Zealand
Angevahn@xtra.co.nz
Angevahn had never intended to become a teacher – quite the contrary, it was the last thing she ever imagined.
So when she started in her local Playcentre (parent co-operative early childhood centres), it was for her own child’s needs. To her surprise, on attending a compulsory workshop, she discovered a fascination for knowledge about education and the process of teaching and learning that continues to be a fascination and delight for her. In her own words
“I love that moment when the “light goes on” – when someone connects to a new understanding or piece of knowledge. It happens with all people – from tiny children to adults. It is the joy and privilege of being part of that process that motivates me to work with anyone who is open to learning.”
This interest led her to facilitating parent education workshops within Playcentre. As a result of her profile in Playcentre nationally, she was invited to join a Bi-cultural working party in 1988. The Working Party developed guidelines for Bi-cultural education in New Zealand, published in 1990 and still a relevant resource today.
Since 1986 Angevahn has run courses and workshops for hundreds of parents, trainee teachers and early childhood educators. As well as her work in Playcentre, she has worked in early childhood Professional Development contracts with a College of Education, specialising in Te Whaariki - the National Curriculum for Early Childhood in New Zealand, and continues to offer Professional Development workshops privately for local Early Childhood centres and groups of parents.
In 1993 she began teaching in the Kindergarten service in New Zealand (3-5 year olds), with her last position being that of Head Teacher.
While in Kindergarten she was looking for something that would support children to develop inner discipline, and support their natural sense of the Sacred. On meeting the Virtues Project material in 1999, she realised that here was the tool she had been looking for.
Working in a challenging community, she drew on Virtues Project material to develop a teaching team philosophy and for setting the boundaries within the centre. The results for children were astounding - to quote a New Entrant teacher in the local school:
"Those kids had such a passion for learning - they just Loved it .... I have never taught such beautiful children. They were incredibly supportive of one another and I don't know how, but they always seemed to know when someone else was in trouble and struggling. They would get alongside them and just Be with them until they came right, then they'd get back to their work without a fuss".
While Angevahn’s primary focus has been working with Parents and Early Childhood Educators, her depth of experience in facilitation means she can develop workshops and courses to suit the needs of a wide range of groups and individuals.
“ … your realisation of where we’re at in our knowledge and going on from there, adapting to our needs – great facilitation”
“This has been a real eye-opener and a huge learning curve. Hopefully the beginning of a more peaceful and happy world within our family – Thank you”
“Thanks Angevahn for introducing the Virtues to our families. You have started a whole new journey for many of these lovely people”
“What I most appreciated about Angevahn is her openness, honesty, personal experience and stories – a wealth of knowledge”
“Angevahn has a gift of communicating with people so that they understand” |
